Henry Aldridge & Son

The Devizes Auctioneers

Titanic, White Start Line and Ocean Liner Memorabilia Sale on April 8th 2005

                                        Press Release

A Fortune In Your Attic

Henry Aldridge and Son held their latest auction of Titanic and White Star memorabilia at the British Titanic Society convention in Southampton on April 8th 2005. The auctioneers have become accustomed to a large amount of media interest in these sales, such is the insatiable appetite for stories and collectables associated with the ship and this was no exception. One of Henry Aldridge and Son's strengths is their ability to gain worldwide coverage for specialist lots, getting the best possible prices for their vendors whilst offering buyers the opportunity to buy original quality artifacts with confidence. One particular lot attracted global attention; it was a 12 minute film showing the Titanic prior to her maiden voyage. It showed remarkable footage of the Carpathia which was the rescue ship, journalists seeking interviews from survivors, the scenes in New York prior and after the Carpathia landed and previously unseen footage of the Mackay Bennett, the ship that was chartered by the White Star Line to pick up the bodies of those who perished. As well as prime time stories on the BBC National News, News 24, Sky Television and national newspapers in the UK, numerous media organizations overseas ran the story. As a consequence several telephone bidders from all over the globe together with buyers in the room vied for the opportunity of owning such a rare piece. The anonymous successful organization paid £16000 for the film, a wonderful price considering it had been sitting in a loft in Glasgow for many decades.

The owner contacted Henry Aldridge and Son after the publicity surrounding the sale of a 6 minute version of the film in the September 2004 auction.

Another rare item to go under the hammer on the 8th April was a 8ft Harland and Wolff blueprint, but this was no ordinary piece, it was the only surviving schematic of the plumbing and water systems from Titanic. It was owned by Mr William Wilson, a leading draughtsman who worked on the ship. Due to its unusual nature, it attracted massive interest prior to the sale and was purchased by a British Collector for £12000.

The blueprint was just one of the lots that was promoted at the birthplace of Titanic, Belfast prior to the sale. Alan and Andrew Aldridge, the father and son team who run Henry Aldridge and Son were asked by Belfast City Council to conduct a Valuation Roadshow during the "Made in Belfast" festival. This was a week long series of activities, visits and lectures based at Belfast City Hall. As the world's leading auctioneers of Titanic memorabilia, Alan and Andrew were happy to attend. Over 20,000 people viewed the lots exhibited, no doubt contributing to the record prices seen at the auction. These were only two examples from the sale, over 300 lots were listed in the fully illustrated colour catalogue giving collectors the chance to own an item connected to the Titanic or White Star Line.

Other notable items included a very rare 3rd class publicity brochure that realized £5800 and a plan of the 1st class accommodation on board Titanic, dated November 1911 which sold for £3300.

A pair of Marconigrams from Archibald Gracie and Dorothy Gibson made £3500 and a plan of accommodation for RMS Olympic owned by the richest man on board Titanic, John Jacob Astor, confirming his east bound crossing in September 1911 to Europe, his return journey would be on Titanic, sold to an overseas collector for £4700.

Henry Aldridge and Son are holding their next auction of Titanic and Ocean Liner Memorabilia on September 17th 2005 in Devizes and entries are now being invited. There are over 200 lots consigned so far including a unique archive of correspondence relating the Guarantee Group.

It was the job of these men who were employed by Harland and Wolff to travel on Titanic and attend to any teething problems that may have been present onboard the brand new liner.

Contact the auctioneers on (0044) 01380 729199 or visit www.henry-aldridge.co.uk for qualified, confidential and professional advice regarding any item relating to Titanic, White Star Line, Cunard or Ocean Liner Memorabilia.