Henry Aldridge & Son Limited | Auction of Titanic, White Star, Transport and Icons of the 20th Century.

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353

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2,200 GBP

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2,200 GBP

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4,000 - 6,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

354

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1

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3,000 GBP

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5,000 - 8,000 GBP

R.M.S. TITANIC : Fifth Officer Harold Lowe Collection. Harold Lowe’s personal Royal Naval Reserve ceremonial Bicorn made by JJ. Raynor and Sons of Liverpool in purpose designed carrying case with brass plaque to front engraved HG Lowe RNR 18.5ins. Regarded as one of the heroes of the Titanic , Lowe had been 14 years at sea, starting when he ran away from home at the age of 14. His father offered him an apprenticeship but "I was not going to work for anybody for nothing...I wanted to be paid for my labour." After five years serving along the West African coast, he joined The White Star Line, only fifteen months prior to joining the Titanic . He had served as Third Officer on both the Belgic and the Tropic ; this was his first trip on the North Atlantic. On the day of Titanic's trials, he and the other three junior officers took an inventory of the lifeboats and found them completely stocked and ready. Later, at the US Senate Hearings, when asked to be more specific about this, he replied, "I could no more tell you that than fly." He did recall that he and Sixth Officer Moody were sent away with crews in two lifeboats - they rowed to the dock and back again. He also recalled there was a fire drill before the ship left Southampton. Onboard, Lowe remembered, he was a total stranger with the other deck officers, although the others knew each other. On April 14, at noon, Lowe helped chart the Titanic's course. That night, he had gone to his cabin between 8:15 and 8:30 P.M. and was soon asleep - "...we do not have any too much sleep and therefore when we sleep, we die." Then, sometime later, "I was awakened by hearing voices...and I realized there must be something the matter." He quickly dressed and went out on the deck, where he saw a lot of passengers wearing lifebelts and crew members readying the lifeboats. By this time, the Titanic was "tipping by the bow." "I should say she was 12 to 15 degrees by the head," he would later report. He then grabbed his revolver, a Browning automatic, and began to assist people into the starboard lifeboat 5—First Officer Murdoch was overseeing this section at the time. In preparing and loading the lifeboats: "It takes two (crewmen) at each winch. And then there were two jumped in each boat,...clearing the falls (lines) and you can roughly estimate it at ten men [to launch each lifeboat]." It was about this time he ordered White Star President J. Bruce Ismay to get out of his way, saying, "If you will get the hell out of that then I shall be able to do something! Do you want me to lower away quickly? You will have me drown the whole lot of them." He later stated that Ismay was there only to help as he was anxious to get the people away. Lowe then went to lifeboat 3, where he had great difficulty in finding enough people to put in the boat. Everything at the time was orderly and calm. "There were only little knots around the deck, little crowds," he said. He estimated that there was an equal amount of men and women put in the boat, about 40 to 45 in all. After then aiding in loading an emergency boat, he went to the port side to lifeboat 14 where he met Sixth Officer Moody. "We filled 14 and 16 with women and children; I filled 14, he filled 16." Lowe put 58 people in his boat, "All women and children, bar one passenger, who was an Italian and he sneaked in and he was dressed like a woman—he had a shawl over his head. I only found out at the last moment." He took another male passenger, Charles Eugene Williams, to help with the oars. (From Lowe's notebook: "C. Williams, Racket Champion of the World, No. 2 Drury Lane, Middlesex, England." Also, other person's addresses who were in his boat: "Mrs A. T. Compton and Miss S. R. Compton, Laurel House, Lakehurst, N. J.") Later, at the U. S. Senate Hearings, Lowe was questioned about pistols being fired aboard the Titanic . "I heard them and I fired them." He then recounted, as his lifeboat was being lowered, he was forced to fire horizontally down the side of the ship to scare off anyone trying to rush his boat. He was positive he hurt no one "...because I looked where I fired." This testimony was backed up by several of his passengers. They also backed up the fact that Lowe's was the only lifeboat that went back through the wreckage for survivors. Harold Godfrey Lowe would then design a plane for F. Harold Lowe called Lowe Marlburian.

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

355

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1

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1,200 GBP

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2,000 - 3,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

356

Quantity

1

1,800 GBP

Opening bid

1,800 GBP

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3,000 - 5,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

357

Quantity

1

1,200 GBP

Opening bid

1,200 GBP

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0 GBP

Max bid

GBP

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

R.M.S. TITANIC: Summons to the United States Enquiry into the Titanic sinking for Edward (Edneser) Wheelton dated 20 th April 1912 from Senator William Alden Smith. When he signed on to the Titanic on 4 April 1912, Edneser gave his address as Norwood House, Bellemoor Road, Southampton. His previous ship was the Olympic and as a First-Class steward, he received monthly wages of £3, 15s. On Sunday, 14 April, Wheelton recalled that there had been no lifeboat drills as was customary on other ships; he had been on watch but had gone to bed and was asleep at the time of the collision. He was awakened around 11.45 pm by a shock, which he attributed to the ship dropping a propeller, so he got out of bed and peered out of one of the portholes but saw nothing amiss but noted how cold it was. He went to the door of his quarters and spoke to some passing crewmen, but apparently receiving no news to be worried about, he went back to bed. Not long after, he was again roused by someone shouting something about "watertight doors," so he again left his bed and went to the companionway, where he soon became aware of orders to get his lifebelt and make his way to his boat station. He hurriedly dressed, throwing on his clothes over his pyjamas, topping this off with an overcoat and slippered feet; by the time he reached the boat deck, they were letting out a lifeboat, which he believed was his assigned lifeboat number 5 (it was number 7) and he assisted in its lowering. Following the launch of boat 7 Wheelton was ordered to go to the food stores to retrieve biscuits. On his way, he spotted Thomas Andrews on B-deck who was busying himself by checking cabins for anybody still in them. He returned to the boat deck by passing through the dining saloon and reception room and up the grand staircase and returned to the boat deck in time for the preparation of another boat to be lowered (boat 5). During this boat's preparation, Wheelton was stood just behind Mr Lowe when the latter rebuked Mr Ismay for getting in the way. Wheelton would assist in the lowering of other starboard boats, presumably boat 3 and definitely boat 9, and testified that Ismay lingered around all the boats that he was working at. Following the launch of boat 9 Mr Murdoch ordered steward Wheat down to A-deck; taking Wheelton by the arm Murdoch ordered him to do the same; a large crowd of women and children having been escorted down to A-deck by stewards. Wheelton and Wheat descended to A-deck where boat 11 had been lowered to receive passengers; they stepped into the boat and began filling it with women and children and with what Wheelton estimated to be around 8 or 9 crew, mainly stewards. One woman caused a fuss at the boat and had to be manhandled to get in. With the boat heavily laden Wheelton shouted up to Murdoch that the boat was full; Murdoch then asked him if he had any sailors in the boat but there were none so he ordered two sailors to jump into the boat, Brice and Humphreys, the latter assuming command. Wheelton described the descent to the ocean as smooth but the lifeboat had difficulty releasing itself but eventually was broken free. The lifeboat then pulled out to what he estimated was around 300 yards from the ship, no easy feat because the boat was overloaded and the crew at the oars found it difficult to row in the cramped space, often accidentally striking others in the process. Wheelton recalled seeing a light in the distance that seemed close but despite their best efforts they did not seem to be able to get close to it. A woman close by him in the lifeboat was so cold that he gave up his coat to her. He was later called to give crucial testimony with regard to lifeboats to the US Inquiry into the sinking, the following is a partial transcript: “Senator NEWLANDS. Go on, and in your own way state what occurred on the steamer Titanic after the collision with the iceberg? Mr. WHEELTON. I had just come off watch. I went to bed. I was awakened between 10 minutes to 12 and a quarter to 12 by a shock. It felt as if it was the dropping of a propeller or something like that. I got out of bed. I lifted the port and I looked out of the port. Everything was calm. It was very cold. I went to the door of my room and spoke to some of the men, and then I got back into bed again. I was roused next by someone shouting, "watertight doors." I came outside. The order was, "Get your lifebelts. Get up to boat stations." I went back. I put my pants on over my pyjamas, put my slippers on, and my overcoat. I went down to the deck. They were just getting away No. 5 then. I assisted in getting away lifeboat No. 5. I was ordered to the storeroom. I went down to the storeroom. The way I went to the storeroom was down B deck, along B deck. As I went along B deck I met Mr. Andrews, the builder, who was opening the rooms and looking in to see if there was anyone in, and closing the doors again. I went along B deck and used what we call the accommodation staircase, which goes through the ship, and is used by the stewards. I went down to the storeroom and I got a bottle of biscuits, and I carried them up to the main dining room, through the reception room, up the main staircase. I got onto the deck; the boats had gone. They were working at No. 7. I meant No. 5 had gone. I went to No. 7 and assisted in lowering No. 7. I think it was No. 7. Mr. Lowe told Mr. Ismay to get to hell out of it, because I was the steward who stood back of Mr. Lowe. We worked at No. 7 and got her down, and then No. 9. Mr. Murdoch was there, and Mr. Ismay stood up by all of the boats I saw get away. I walked along when No. 9 went, and Mr. Murdoch, the first officer, turned around. He sent the assistant second steward down to A deck, and he said to me "You go, too." He got hold of me by the left arm and he said, "You go, too." We went down to A deck. Number 11 boat was hanging in the davits. We got into the boat. Mr. Murdoch shouted "Women and children first." He was on the top deck then, standing by the taffrail. We loaded the boat with women and children, and took in a few of the crew. I think there were about - well, there were eight or nine men in the boat, all together. That was including our crew. I think there were one or two passengers, but I really could not say. I shouted to Mr. Murdoch, "The boat is full, sir." He said, "All right." He said, "Have you got your sailors in?" I said, "no, sir." He told two sailors to jump into the boat. We lowered away. Everything went very nice, very smoothly, until we touched the water. We pushed away from the ship's side and had just a slight difficulty in hoisting the afterblock. We were not there a minute. The sailor got at the block and loosened the tackle. We pulled away from the ship. We pulled away until we were about 300 yards away from the ship. I looked around into the boat. I saw the boat was pretty well crowded, because I had some little difficulty in rowing, because the passengers were so close together, and I kept hitting my hands against the passengers. We bent to our oars until the ship eventually went down. With thanks to Encyclopaedia Titanica for background reference material.

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

R.M.S. TITANIC/THE ISIDOR AND IDA STRAUS ARCHIVE:

358

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1

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75,000 GBP

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100,000 - 150,000 GBP

R.M.S. TITANIC : THE ISIDOR AND IDA STRAUS ARCHIVE: One of the most important letters written onboard Titanic offered for auction in history, written by First Class Passenger Ida Straus on Titanic stationery with its original envelope bearing the rarest postmark related to Titanic known as the famous “TransAtlantic 7”. This postmark denotes that the letter was postmarked on board Titanic in her post office. It took pride of place in Kenneth Hollister Straus's office at Macy's, the New York philanthropist was the last of the Straus family to be a top executive of R. H. Macy & Company, it reads in full: On board R.M.S. Titanic , Wednesday 1912 Dear Mrs. Burbridge You cannot imagine how pleased I was to find your exquisite basket of flowers in our sitting room on the steamer. The roses and carnations are also beautiful in colour and so fresh as though they had just been cut. Thank you so much for your sweet attention, which we both appreciate very much. But what a ship! So huge and so magnificently appointed. Our rooms are furnished in the best of taste and most luxurious, and they really are rooms. Size seems to bring its troubles Mr Straus, who was on deck when the start was made said at one time it looked painfully near to the repetitions of the Olympic's experience on her first trip out of harbour, but the danger was soon averted, and we are now well on our course across the channel to Cherbourg. Again, thanking you and Mr. Burbridge for your lovely attention and good wishes and in the pleasant satisfaction of seeing you with us next summer. I am with cordial greetings in which Mr Straus heartedly joins, Very Sincerely Yours Ida R. Straus. The letter is sold via direct descent from Isador and Ida Straus and has, to the best of our knowledge, never been on display prior to its present exhibition in the US. Also included is a letter from Isidor and Ida’s daughter-in-law, Irma Straus, to her sons Jack and Robert from a Hamburg Amerika liner, ironically dated in April. NB Please note this lot is on exhibition at the world’s largest Titanic museum in Pigeon Forge, TN, USA . Interested parties are invited to view the lot in situ at the museum. We will be happy to liaise with the successful purchaser to arrange collection from the museum. Isidor and Ida Straus are two of the most iconic people from the Titanic story. They have been depicted in the vast majority of documentaries and movies related to Titanic, since the ship sank . James Cameron’s epic film sees them as the couple who chose to stay together until the bitter end rather than part ways, portrayed holding each other in bed in their stateroom as the water enveloped them. A deleted scene from the movie shows Isidor attempting to persuade Ida to enter a lifeboat, in which she refuses, stating, "We've been together for 40 years, and where you go I go. Don't argue with me, Isidor. You know it does no good". Isidor co-owned the famous department store Macy’s and he and his wife Ida were one of the few First-Class couples to perish in the sinking. Born into a Jewish family in Otterberg in Bavaria in 1845, Isidor was the first of five children of Lazarus and Sara Straus immigrating in 1854. Initially moving to Oglethorpe, Georgia, In 1863 the Straus family relocated to Columbus after a Talbot County grand jury issued a statement chastising Jewish merchants for their disloyalty to the rebellion, specifically blaming them for rising prices. In 1863, Isidor boarded a ship in Charleston bound for Liverpool, which successfully ran the Union blockade as he lay hidden with $1,200 in gold sewn by his mother into his undershirt, plus about $1,500 in bills which he was to collect for his father. After a delay of several months spent with relatives in Otterberg, Isidor settled in England and again proved his financial acumen in deal-making. Within a week-long period in 1864, for example, he shipped back packages to Georgia valued at $130,000 The city of New York was to become one of the most important parts of Isidor’s life, and in 1866, about six months after the family moved to New York City, his father established L. Straus & Son with Isidor as his sole partner. Macy’s was a well-established retailer by 1874 when Nathan Straus approached Rowland H. Macy about installing a Straus china and glassware department in his store. While Isidor established and strengthened his presence in New York, Ida became a very busy mother of seven. Together, they demonstrated devotion to their children and each other. Mrs. Samuel Bessinger, Isidor’s cousin, once said, “Theirs was the love of husband and wife so beautiful among old couples who have weathered life’s storms together. Two more devoted lovers could scarcely be found.” Isidor Straus’ business career is entwined with that of his brother Nathan (1848-1931) with whom he was an equal partner in Macy’s, as well as in L. Straus & Sons. 1888 saw not only Isidor’s 43rd birthday but also him epitomising the American Dream and becoming a Partner in Macy’s and then acquiring a 50% stake in 1893. On January 6, 1912, Isidor and Ida Straus boarded the R.M.S. Caronia . They were going to the Holy Land, where, as the New York Tribune reported, “According to a message from Jerusalem, during their recent stay in that city, Mrs Straus visited the ghetto and later told her husband of the misery and squalor which she had witnessed. She suggested that something be done for the relief of the miserable, whereupon Mr Straus immediately responded, “Establish a soup kitchen at once.” He then sent a letter to the Jewish authorities guaranteeing $10,000 annually for three years to support the kitchen. Since then, between 500 and 600 persons have been fed through his charity daily” On April 10, 1912, the Straus’s boarded the R.M.S. Titanic in Southampton, returning to New York. Stewardess Violet Jessop remembered: “Next appeared a delightful old couple -old in years and young in character-whom we were always happy to see join us; Mr. and Mrs. Straus had grown old so gracefully and so together. They were, as usual, charmed to see us and with all the arrangements made for their comfort. They gave each of us an individual word of greeting as they made their way to the deck above to wave farewell to friends” The Straus's occupied Staterooms C-55-57 (ticket number PC 17483, £221 15s 7d). During the night of the sinking, Isidor and Ida made their way to the Boat Deck. Isidor and several other passengers tried to convince Ida to board Lifeboat 8 , which was already filled with about 25 other First-Class passengers and crewmen. When Isidor was offered a seat due to his age, he replied that he would not go before the other men. Ida, refusing to leave her husband, said, “I will not be separated from my husband; as we have lived, so will we die together.” Isidor’s body was recovered, but Ida’s body was never found. She is memorialised on her husband’s grave in Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York. Today, Straus Park is on the Upper West Side in Manhattan, and there is a plaque at the entrance to Macy’s Department Store honouring Isidor and Ida Straus, which reads "Their lives were beautiful and their deaths glorious.” It is located just inside the Memorial Entrance. The body of Mr Straus was later recovered by the Mackay-Bennett (#96), and his possessions returned to his beloved eldest son Jesse.

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

359

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

480,000 GBP

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Estimate

800,000 - 1,000,000 GBP

R.M.S. TITANIC : THE ISIDOR AND IDA STRAUS ARCHIVE: Quite simply one of the most important and iconic Titanic items ever to be offered for sale. The Isidor Straus pocket watch. An 18k gold Jules Jurgensen pocket watch that travelled with him on the Titanic and was recovered from his body and later returned to his son Jesse alongside his other personal effects. The watch itself is engraved with his initials IS to the reverse and February 6th,1888, to the inside of the case. This date marked his 43rd birthday. 1888 was also an important year in his life as In 1888, he and his brother Nathan became full partners of the iconic Macy's Department store in New York. The watch bears the serial number 14255. The letter of provenance for the watch reads “Joan Adler at the Straus Historical Society states February 6th was both Isidor and Ida’s birth date. Isidor and his brother Nathan bought a half interest in Macys in 1888, so this must have been the occasion when he bought or was given the watch” During the night of the sinking, Isidor and Ida made their way to the Titanic’ s Boat Deck. Isidor and several other passengers tried to convince Ida to board Lifeboat 8, which contained First Class passengers and crewmen such as Ellen Bird, Ida Straus’s maid, The Countess of Rothes and Ella White. When Isidor was offered a seat due to his age, he replied that he would not go before the other men. Ida, refusing to leave her husband, said, “I will not be separated from my husband; as we have lived, so will we die together.” They were last seen sitting on deck chairs, facing fate by each other’s side, the ultimate real love life story. Isidor’s body was recovered, but Ida’s body was never found. She is memorialised on her husband’s grave in Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York. The watch is listed as part of Isidor’s effects in the official body recovery list. 96 - MALE - ESTIMATED AGE, 65 - FRONT GOLD TOOTH (Partly) - GREY HAIR AND MOUSTACHE CLOTHING - Fur-lined overcoat; grey trousers, coat and vest; soft striped shirt; brown boots; black silk socks. EFFECTS - Pocketbook; gold watch; platinum and pearl chain; gold pencil case; silver flask; silver salts bottle; £40 in notes; £4 2s 3d in silver. FIRST CLASS - NAME - ISIDOR STRAUSS The watch has been treasured in the Straus family since its original purchase in 1888 and has been passed through the generations alongside the Titanic letter written by Ida. The movement was restored by Isidor’s great-grandson, Kenneth Hollister Straus, a New York philanthropist, who was the last of the Straus family to be a top executive of R. H. Macy & Company, to enable it to be worn again. Kenneth Hollister Straus was described by the New York Times as a scion of the family of merchant princes who ruled Macy's, the New York-based chain of department stores, until his father, Jack I. Straus, relinquished his posts as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1968. Kenneth Hollister Straus began working at Macy's in 1947 and retired in 1986, the same year the retailer was taken private in a $3.6 billion buyout. The letter is also sold with a letter of provenance from a direct descendant. The watch quite simply represents one of the finest and rarest objects from the Titanic story in existence, a piece which was a treasured personal possession from one of the most respected and high profile men from the Titanic story. At the turn of the 20th century, a pocket watch was one of the closest things to the heart of a gentleman of the era, and this watch embodies this as a gift from one half of the most famous couple on the Titanic to the other. NB: Please note this lot is on exhibition at the world’s largest Titanic museum in Pigeon Forge, TN, USA. Interested parties are invited to view the lot in situ at the museum. We will be happy to liaise with the successful purchaser to arrange collection from the museum.

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

360

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

4,400 GBP

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Max bid

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Estimate

8,000 - 10,000 GBP

R.M.S. TITANIC : Superb postcard of Titanic ’s Gymnasium written by Second-Class Passenger Marion Wright to her sister Gladys. The card is postmarked Queenstown 3.45pm. Thursday 11th April 1912 twice with two half penny stamps. It reads ‘I am sending you this P.C. of the gymnasium where Daddie and Molly and I went and where I had a ride on a cycle and won a race. I hope your cold is better. How is Sabrina? Much love to you. Marie.’ The eldest of four sisters, Marion was a prolific postcard writer often sending cards to each sister on her travels. Prior to her voyage on the Titanic Marion had agreed to take Arthur Woolcott's hand in marriage. A fruit farmer from Yeovil who had settled in the United States, he met Marion raising funds to purchase his own farm. They were to marry in America, with Marion to move to the States. In February 1912, she had booked her passage, a second-class ticket on the brand-new liner R.M.S. Titanic . After the terrible news of the disaster there was much confusion for the Wright family over whether she had survived, her name was not included in the initial list of accounted for passengers. A vigil was held in her village and the townspeople mourned. Eventually on April 16th Marion’s brother, Bertram, was able to confirm at the White Star Line Office that Marion was indeed one of the survivors. In the meantime, her husband-to-be Arthur Woolcott was waiting for the same news to break in New York. Whilst her family was waiting anxiously, Marion was writing to them onboard the rescue ship S.S. Carpathia . When she arrived into New York on the 18th April she was met by chaos, she was unable to find Arthur amongst the crowd. Eventually they found each other and they married at the Episcopal Church of St. Christopher’s, just eight days after the Titanic sank. Their romantic story about heartbreak, her near miss with Arthur at the New York dock before being re-united caught the attention on both sides of the Atlantic. Their story was picked up by the American press and the couple garnered celebrity status. Marion kept in regular contact with her family in England, frequently writing and sending picture postcards. Marion and Arthur lived in their home Cottage Grove for the remainder of their lives. It was a happy ending to what proved to be an unbelievable love story. The card itself is in excellent condition with perforated edge, this shows it originally came from one of the books of postcards that were sold onboard Titanic in the Barber's shop.

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

360a

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

1,200 GBP

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Max bid

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Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

361

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

12,000 GBP

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Estimate

20,000 - 30,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

362

Quantity

1

27,000 GBP

Opening bid

27,000 GBP

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Estimate

50,000 - 60,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

R.M.S. TITANIC/THE FREDERICK SUTTON ARCHIVE:

363

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

21,000 GBP

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Max bid

GBP

Estimate

35,000 - 45,000 GBP

R.M.S. TITANIC /THE FREDERICK SUTTON ARCHIVE: Mr Frederick Sutton was born in Wangford, Suffolk, on 15 June 1850. He was the son of George Sutton (b. 1822), a shoemaker, and Elizabeth Breeze (b. 1818), both Suffolk natives who had married in 1842. Frederick and Ellen, or Ella as she was better known, had three daughters: Elizabeth Ashburner (1880-1892), Florence (1881-1969, later Mrs Francis Henry Tomlin) and Jennie Banham (1883-1894) and the family settled in Haddonfield, Camden, New Jersey where Frederick would make his home for the rest of his life, building his own home there in 1886. He became a realtor, interested mainly in seashore property, and made a sizeable fortune developing the fishing village of Wildwood at the beginning of the century. He was also president of the First National Bank of Collingswood and the Marine National Bank of Wildwood. He held the office of treasurer in various corporations: Wildwood Hotel Company, Five Mile Beach Electric Company, West Jersey Electric Company and North Wildwood Electric Company. Mr Sutton made the voyage to England in March 1912 on the advice of his physician for an undisclosed illness. For his return to the USA, Mr Sutton boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a First-Class passenger (ticket number 36963, which cost £32, 6s, 5d). He occupied cabin D-50. After the collision with the iceberg, an elderly male passenger was reported to have been trapped in his room; some have speculated that this might have been Mr Sutton. George Arthur Brayton, a First-Class Passenger and survivor, reported that he sat next door to Mr Sutton in the dining room on Saturday and Sunday, and he had reported not feeling well. Frederick Sutton died in the sinking, and his body was recovered by the MacKay Bennett (#46). However, Mr Sutton’s fate was not immediately ascertained; his daughter and son-in-law travelled to New York to seek news when the survivors arrived on board the Carpathia on April 18 th . The White Star Line subsequently gave assurances to his family that, although he had been lost, his body was being brought into Halifax, Nova Scotia, on board the MacKay Bennett; however, sadly, this did not prove to be accurate. In the meantime, Francis H Tomlin and his brother-in-law, Robert Moore, journeyed to Halifax on April 27. All of Mr Sutton‘s possessions were claimed by Francis Tomlin in Halifax. They had been placed a white camp bag bearing the number 46. His effects and recovery were listed by the Halifax authorities and C.S. Mackay Bennett as: NO. 46. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 60. - HAIR, BROWN; BEARD, GREY. His body was buried at sea on 22 April. CLOTHING - Black coat, vest and trousers; black boots. EFFECTS - Gold watch and chain; tie clip; pocket book; knife; three silver spoons with Norwich enamel crest; watch fob; gold seal ring with "F. S."; Freeman Medal; $60.00 in travellers' cheques; £2. 10s. in gold, 16s. in silver, $13 loose coins in purse; circular letter of credit for £100, Kountz Bros., N. Y., No. D. 18331; two silver thimbles; eyeglasses in case; silver whistle. The collection has remained in the family since 1912 and has never been publicly seen before. The second part will be offered in our April 2026 auction. R.M.S. TITANIC : FREDERICK SUTTON COLLECTION. Extremely rare canvas personal effects bag sewn on board C.S. Mackay-Bennett and used to safeguard the personal effects of Body No. 46, 62-year-old Frederick Sutton, one of the very few First-Class passengers buried at sea. All of the personal effects recovered from his person were placed in this bag and were collected from Halifax by his son-in-law. Only a handful of these bags survive today, and this example is offered with its original tag bearing Mr Sutton’s name. 26.5cms x 36cms NB: The core of the system for body recovery and identification following the sinking of R.M.S. Titanic , mortuary bags were made aboard the ship as bodies were found, and they proved very effective in keeping victims’ personal effects together, both on the ship and in the morgue. This system was so successful that the coroner used it during the 1917 Halifax Harbour Explosion, following the Titanic's example, and made identical bags for the personal effects of explosion victims.

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

364

Quantity

1

30,000 GBP

Opening bid

30,000 GBP

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Estimate

50,000 - 80,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

365

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

3,000 GBP

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0 GBP

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Estimate

5,000 - 8,000 GBP

R.M.S. TITANIC : FREDERICK SUTTON COLLECTION: Extremely rare White Star Line Important Notice from A.G. Jones and Company their Halifax agents. This historically unique note reads in part: 'Relatives or friends arriving in Halifax to take charge of the bodies recovered from the scene at the Titanic disaster are respectfully requested to register at the office of AG Jones and Co, 159 Hollow Street agents for the White Star Line. The local firm of Messrs Snow and Co undertakers Argyle Street near Saint Pauls Church have been commissioned to take charge of the remains and will prepare the unidentified for observation as soon as possible. Only those who establish their right to do so will be permitted to view the bodies. Identified bodies will so far as possible be sent to Snow’s establishment as above and friends may take charge of them just as soon as the undertaker is complete necessary preparations as identified all tax the capacity of snow place the bodies of those not identified will be sent to the Mayflower rink on Agriculture Street just above North Street passed by the “Loop Line” cars which also pass the Halifax and Queen hotels, a full of staff of embalmers will be on duty in that place. The Mackay-Bennett will probably arrive sometime Monday and will be tied up at the Government Docks but as it will have no good purpose to be present, friends are earnestly urged in their own interest not to visit the dock. It will probably interfere with the prompted accomplishment of the very purpose they are here for. When bodies are ready for shipment friends may take them on the same train in the baggage car on payment of the regular First-Class therefore and the local offices of the Intercolonial will assist insist all enquiries in this. Bodies may also be sent by express on payment of two first-class fares. The Offices of the Canadian Express Co, 165 Granville Street are prepared to render every assistance.' NB: A.G. Jones and Company chartered the Commercial Cable Company’s cable ship MacKay-Bennett for the very difficult assignment searching the wreck site where Titanic had sunk and, whenever possible, to recover the bodies of passengers and crew. She was employed for this task after preparing a cable breach near Cape Cod, which was a large operation that required a lot of pre-work. The Captain, Frederick H. Larnder, was summoned to the Commercial Cable Company office. A.G. Jones, was introduced to Frederick and gave him the order to sail out the next day, while handing him the coördinates of the wreck site. The White Star Line paid 550 dollars in advance, another $550 would be in for the Commercial Cable Company if they completed their task.

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

366

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

1,200 GBP

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0 GBP

Max bid

GBP

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

367

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

600 GBP

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Max bid

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Estimate

1,000 - 1,500 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

368

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

600 GBP

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0 GBP

Max bid

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Estimate

1,000 - 1,500 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

369

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

600 GBP

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0 GBP

Max bid

GBP

Estimate

1,000 - 1,500 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

370

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

480 GBP

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GBP

Estimate

800 - 1,200 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

371

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

360 GBP

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0 GBP

Max bid

GBP

Estimate

600 - 1,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

372

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

7,000 GBP

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0 GBP

Max bid

GBP

Estimate

12,000 - 18,000 GBP

R.M.S TITANIC : PART TWO OF THE ERNEST PORTAGE TOMLIN COLLECTION, this is one of the most complete archives to have come to market in the past 30 years and the following lots form part of the archive. The second collection has been within the family since 1912 having only been looked at sporadically over the past 113 years so is fresh to the market having never been offered for sale before. Ernest Portage Tomlin was born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada on 29 September 1890. He was the son of English parents, Edwin Tomlin (b. 1858) and Harriet Levinia Statham (b. 1854), natives of Uxbridge and Pinner, respectively who had married in Kensington, London in 1878. His father was a baker and later ran his own business in Notting Hill, London. One of ten children, with seven surviving infancy, Ernest's known siblings were: William (b. 1879), Edwin (b. 14 November 1883), Lillie (b. 1887), Grace (b. 1891), Albert (b. 1895) and Mary (b. 1896). He was the only one of his siblings born in Canada. Tomlin, travelling with a friend Harry Cook left British shores on 21 August 1907 aboard the Majestic ; described as a clerk, he arrived in New York six days later and stated his destination as Des Moines, Iowa to the home of a friend, Reverend J. N. Williams of 1212 388th Street in that city. He was described as standing at 5' 7" and with brown hair, grey eyes and a fair complexion. Intent on entering the ministry, Tomlin enrolled at The Bible College of Drake University located in Des Moines. An A-grade student, he took difficult courses which included advanced arithmetic, physics, botany, Hebrew history, Latin, among others. In January 1910 he paid a return visit home, travelling aboard the New York (which two years later nearly collided with the Titanic ), and for his return to the USA on 7 April that year aboard the St Louis he was described as being in good health and that he had grown three inches since his last entrance to the USA, by now standing 6'. By early 1912 Ernest had decided to return to Drake University and complete his degree. He purchased a Third-Class passage originally on the Adriatic and was moved to Titanic (ticket number 364499 which cost £8, 1s) and was apparently travelling alone. At first there was hope that Tomlin was not on the Titanic but that was quickly dispelled. The Des Moines Register (17 April 1912) revealed that he had written two letters to friends in England, a Will Mander from Birmingham, and A. H. "Harry" Cook. Mr Mander, whose home is in Birmingham, Eng., is a personal friend of Mr Tomlin. "I received a letter from Ernest last week, stating that he was sailing for America on April 10 th from Southampton," said Mr Mander. " We find that the Titanic was the only boat that left Southampton on that date and have every reason to believe that he was one of the passengers. I believe that he travelled third class. "I came over from England with Mr Tomlin four years ago to study at Drake University," said Mr Cook. "He attended school at Drake for more than two years and left for home last year on account of sickness. We have every reason to believe that he was a passenger on the Titanic ." ( The Des Moines Register , 17 April 1912) It soon became clear that Tomlin was among the lost. Repeated requests were made to the White Star Line to determine if Tomlin actually sailed. Wireless messages listing the names of survivors were searched but his name was not among the listed saved. Finally, word was received in a telegram to H. W. Warren, a Des Moines ticket agent that read: "Ernest Tomlin appears on the list of Third-Class passengers of the White Star line as having sailed, but not on the list of rescued." His body and effects were described: N0. 50. - MALE. - ESTIMATED AGE, 30. - HAIR, FAIR. CLOTHING - Black coat; no vest, blue striped flannel shirt. EFFECTS - Two pocket books; silver watch; pencil; papers, diary, fountain pen; comb; $87 in notes; £1 10s. in gold; and 2s. 9d. THIRD CLASS TICKET No. 364424. NAME - ERNEST POSTAGE TOMLIN. R.M.S. TITANIC : PART TWO OF THE ERNEST TOMLIN COLLECTION: Superb handwritten letter onboard R.M.S. Titanic dated 3pm April 10 th 1912, reads in part: Dearest Mother and Father, Do not tell anybody but I showed up to have a good cry 24 hours ago which would give me back my Ma and my Rose but crying will not do that will it? I felt good on the train. I had high hopes but to use an American word and feeling pretty punk! Sometime in our lives we are forced to meet grim realities my time is now I must however go to America. By God’s help I’m sure he is with me to do something with a view to the future to help me God I’m speaking thus because I feel sure there is work for me to do and I must be a man to fight the obstacles which will be in the way. It is to be now I’m sorry to have to leave you all. I was watching the New York and I did not hear the bell consequently we were late. We had a narrow escape. I said God is with us about 10 minutes after we lost sight of you we came up to the Majestic and the New York we went too close to them. Consequently the wash of the Titanic caused the New York ropes to stretch and we heard a bang and the ship drifted towards us. We were going very slowly and it looked very serious for a few minutes. Very few people knew what was in the water I did when I saw the New York drifting around she was tight still to one end. We just missed her by four or 5 feet. That is all. Did you know that the Titanic stopped we were delayed I suppose 20 minutes to a half hour whilst they got the New York safely out of the way. I’ve just had tea and feel a little better spirited and have a comfortable seat in one of the tables in the covered deck. Some foreigners are playing cards at my side, smooth passage yet no jokes about the food. I shall finish this in the morning good night got some water in my eyes still. Thursday morning. Good nights sleep, food poor Tomlin biscuits good had enough sea for a while these foreigners are going mad just to get coppers to gamble with. They are near enough to upset you to hear you speak. Goodbye and good night love to all mother and kindest regards to everyone, many happy returns to Mick Goodbye from the boy Ernest. An exceptional letter written over 5 sides that also includes a hand-drawn diagram of the near miss with the S.S. New York .

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

373

Quantity

1

4,800 GBP

Opening bid

4,800 GBP

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Max bid

GBP

Estimate

8,000 - 12,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

374

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

6,000 GBP

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0 GBP

Max bid

GBP

Estimate

10,000 - 15,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

375

Quantity

1

1,400 GBP

Opening bid

1,400 GBP

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0 GBP

Max bid

GBP

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

376

Quantity

1

2,100 GBP

Opening bid

2,100 GBP

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0 GBP

Max bid

GBP

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

377

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

1,200 GBP

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Max bid

GBP

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

378

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

600 GBP

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0 GBP

Max bid

GBP

Estimate

1,000 - 1,500 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

379

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

1,200 GBP

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0 GBP

Max bid

GBP

Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

380

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

1,200 GBP

Buy it now price

0 GBP

Max bid

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Estimate

2,000 - 3,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

381

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

650 GBP

Buy it now price

0 GBP

Max bid

GBP

Estimate

1,200 - 2,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Featured lot Provisionally sold Leading Won Outbid Lost Declined Reserve not met Leading

382

Quantity

1

0 GBP

Opening bid

1,800 GBP

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0 GBP

Max bid

GBP

Estimate

3,000 - 5,000 GBP

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Auction date(s): Nov 22

Lot location: Devizes, Wiltshire

Auction currency	GBP
Buyer's premium	27 % (inc. Sales tax)
Online commission	3.60 % (inc. Sales tax)
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