Title: Rare Titanic Menu Sold for Impressive $102,000 in Memorabilia Auction
In a highly anticipated auction of Titanic memorabilia, a first-class menu from the ill-fated ship stole the show by fetching an astounding $102,000. The heavily water-stained menu, featuring partially erased lettering, is believed to have been a part of the ship’s inventory during the tragic sinking.
The salvaged menu, which originated from the Titanic’s first dinner after departing from Queenstown, Belfast, provides an intriguing glimpse into the opulent experience of the ship’s first-class passengers. It showcases a range of extravagant options, including succulent oysters, mouthwatering sirloin of beef with horseradish cream, and velvety pureed parsnips. To top it off, desserts such as apricot Bordaloue and the renowned Victoria pudding were on offer, tantalizing the taste buds of the privileged diners.
This particular menu, heavily marked by water stains and with partially erased text, is believed to be the sole surviving example from the night it was served. It carries with it the weight of history and serves as a rare relic from a bygone era.
The memorabilia auction also shed light on the lives of the 2,223 passengers and crew members on board the Titanic, with only 706 managing to survive the tragic incident. One notable item that garnered attention was a tartan blanket used by a survivor, which sold for an impressive $117,000. Regarded as one of the rarest three-dimensional objects ever seen, the blanket belonged to Frederick Toppin, who acquired it while helping rescued passengers at a New York pier.
Another prized item was a pocket watch that once belonged to Sinai Kantor, a victim of the sinking, which fetched an astonishing $119,000. This particular lot became the auction’s most expensive item, reflecting the public’s desire to acquire tokens associated with the enduring legacy of Titanic.
Additionally, the auction included a facing slip that highlighted the unfortunate fate of postal clerks who perished while valiantly attempting to save mail sacks. These poignant artifacts offer a poignant glimpse into the tragedy that unfolded on that fateful night and the stories of bravery and loss experienced by those on board.
Overall, this rare auction offered a fleeting but significant window into the tragic events surrounding the Titanic, reminding the world of the human stories behind these artifacts and the enduring fascination with one of history’s most famous maritime disasters.