Titanic Letter Fetches Record £300,000 at Auction

A letter penned by Titanic passenger Colonel Archibald Gracie, shortly before the ship’s notorious sinking, has achieved a remarkable sale price of £300,000 at auction, showcasing the enduring fascination with the tragedy.

A handwritten letter from Colonel Archibald Gracie, a Titanic survivor, that dates back to April 10, 1912, has set a new auction record, fetching £300,000 ($400,000) in Wiltshire, UK. The letter, which was expected to sell for around £60,000, was acquired by an anonymous bidder during an auction at Henry Aldridge and Son, marking the highest price ever for correspondence written aboard the ill-fated ocean liner.

In this prophetic letter, Gracie seemed to presage the ship's fate, indicating he would "await my journey's end" before casting judgment on the "fine ship." The letter was written just before he boarded the Titanic and was posted when the ship made a stop in Queenstown, Ireland, en route to New York.

Colonel Gracie was among approximately 2,200 individuals aboard the Titanic when it tragically struck an iceberg, resulting in the loss of over 1,500 lives. His firsthand account of the sinking remains one of the most notable, and he documented his survival in his book, “The Truth About The Titanic,” where he recalled his harrowing experience clinging to an overturned lifeboat amidst the frigid waters.

Though he survived the ordeal, Gracie's health deteriorated due to injuries and hypothermia sustained during the disaster. His life ended shortly after, as he fell into a coma in December 1912, ultimately succumbing to diabetes-related complications two days later. The auction of this unique artifact not only highlights the enduring legacy of the Titanic but also reflects the public's ongoing interest in its history.