This auction is live!
You need to be registered and approved to bid at this auction.
Watch the auctionThis auction is closed!
It is no longer possible to bid at this auction.
You are registered for this auction
You are now approved to bid at this auction.
Your auction registration is now pending
You have successfully registered for this auction, pending approval to bid. Please check your email for further information.
Your auction registration has been declined
Please contact the auctioneer for more information.
Click on the image to see full size
Use mouse wheel or two fingers to zoom in
Loading ...
Bidding has ended on this item
We are always adding new lots, use search to find similar items.
You are the current highest bidder!
To be sure to win, come back before the lot closes or increase your maximum bid.
You have been outbid!
For a chance of winning, increase your maximum bid.
You have been outbid!
Another bidder has already bid this amount. For a chance of winning, increase your maximum bid.
You have won!
Congratulations!
You are the winning bidder on this lot.
You have lost!
Unfortunately you have missed out on this lot.
Unable to place your bid
Please refresh your page to see current lot status.
We're very sorry, but we were unable to process the Buy it now.
Please contact customer services for more help.
Your bid has been declined
Your bid has been declined by the auctioneer, please contact customer services for more information.
Your bid is pending approval with the auctioneer
Please check your email account for more details.
You cannot Buy it now until you are approved to bid.
Please contact the auctioneer
1
22,000
GBP
GBP
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
Live auction
Lot closed
Lot location
Devizes, Wiltshire
R.M.S. TITANIC: Unique Titanic lettercard from one of the most well known survivors of the disaster, First-Class passenger and author of The Truth About the Titanic Archibald Gracie. The letter card which is separated as per images is believed to be the only example from Gracie in existence from onboard Titanic. Dated April 10th and postmarked Queenstown 3.45pm April 11th and London April 12th it is written over four sides to the vendor’s great uncle who was an acquaintance of Gracie and received it in London at the Waldorf Hotel (he was a European ambassador from Alabama). Letters from survivors of Gracie's profile rarely, if ever, come to market and this piece has never been offered for sale. It reads in part
“It is a fine ship but I shall await my journeys end before I pass judgment on her. The Oceanic is like an old friend and while she does not possess the elaborate style and varied amusement of this big ship, still her sea worthy qualities and yacht like appearance make me miss her. It was very kind of you to give me this kindly send off, with best wishes for your success and happiness Archibald Gracie.
Gracie boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, and was assigned First-Class cabin C51. He spent much of the voyage chaperoning various unaccompanied women. They included the writer Helen Churchill Candee, 52, and three sisters, née Lamson, who were also in their fifties: Charlotte Appleton, Malvina Cornell, and Caroline Brown. All four women survived the sinking,
Gracie socialized with a group he called "Our Coterie", joined by Candee, his friend J. Clinch Smith, and several others. He also spent time reading books he had found in the First-Class library and discussing the Civil War with the businessman Isidor Straus. Gracie was known among the other First-Class passengers as a tireless raconteur who had an inexhaustible supply of stories about Chickamauga and the Civil War in general.
On April 14, Gracie decided that he had neglected his health and spent some time in physical exercise on the squash courts and in the ship's swimming pool. He then attended church services, had an early lunch, and spent the rest of the day reading and socializing. He went to bed early, intending on an early start the next morning on the ship's squash courts.
At about 11:40 pm ship's time Gracie was jarred awake by a jolt. He sat up, realized the ship's engines were no longer moving, and partially dressed, putting on a Norfolk jacket over his regular clothes. Gracie joined Smith at the foot of the forward First-Class Grand Staircase on A Deck. Smith showed Gracie a piece of ice that had fallen off the berg. Reaching the Boat Deck, Gracie realized the ship was listing slightly. He returned to his cabin to put on his life jacket and on the way back found the women he had been chaperoning. He escorted them up to the Boat Deck and made sure they entered lifeboats. He then retrieved blankets for the women in the boats, and along with his friend Smith assisted Second Officer Charles Lightoller in filling the remaining lifeboats with women and children.
Once the last regular lifeboat had been launched at 1:55 am on the 15th, Gracie and Smith assisted Lightoller and others in freeing the four Engelhardt collapsible boats that were stored atop the crew quarters and attached to the roof by heavy cords and canvas lashings. Gracie had to lend Lightoller his penknife so the boats could be freed. The men were able to launch Collapsibles "C" and "D" and free Collapsible "A" from its lashings, but while they were freeing Collapsible "B" from its place the bridge was suddenly awash. Gracie later wrote about the moment:
“My friend Clinch Smith made the proposition that we should leave and go toward the stern. But there arose before us from the decks below a mass of humanity several lines deep converging on the Boat Deck facing us and completely blocking our passage to the stern. There were women in the crowd as well as men and these seemed to be steerage passengers who had just come up from the decks below. Even among these people there was no hysterical cry, no evidence of panic. Oh the agony of it”
As the fore part of the ship dipped below the surface and the water rushed towards them, Gracie jumped with the wave, caught a handhold, and pulled himself up to the roof of the bridge. The undertow caused by the ship's sinking pulled Gracie down; he freed himself from the ship and rose to the surface near the overturned Collapsible "B". Gracie scrambled onto the overturned lifeboat along with a few dozen other men in the water. His friend Clinch Smith perished; his body never recovered. In his memoir, Gracie surmises Smith became entangled with the ropes and other debris on the ship and could not free himself.
Gracie made it to the capsized Collapsible "B". Realising the risk to the boat of being swamped by the mass of swimmers around them, they paddled slowly away, ignoring the pleas of dozens of swimmers to be allowed on board. In his account, Gracie wrote of the admiration he had for those in the water; "In no instance, I am happy to say, did I hear any word of rebuke from a swimmer because of a refusal to grant assistance... [one refusal] was met with the manly voice of a powerful man... 'All right boys, good luck and God bless you'."
As the night wore on, the exhausted, freezing, and soaking wet men aboard the overturned Collapsible "B" found it almost impossible to remain on the slick keel. Gracie later wrote that over half the men who had originally reached the collapsible either died from exhaustion or cold and slipped off the upturned keel during the night. As dawn broke and it became possible for those in other lifeboats to see them, Second Officer Lightoller (who was also on the collapsible, along with Wireless Operator Harold Bride) used his officer's whistle to attract the other boats' attention; eventually lifeboats Nos. 4 and 12 rowed over and rescued the survivors of the overturned boat. Gracie was so tired that he was unable to make the jump himself. He was pulled into lifeboat No. 12, the last lifeboat to reach R.M.S. Carpathia (the first rescue ship to arrive).
Gracie returned to New York City aboard Carpathia and immediately started on a book about his experiences aboard Titanic and Collapsible "B". His is one of the most detailed accounts of the events of the evening; Gracie spent months trying to determine exactly who was in each lifeboat and when certain events took place. Gracie never recovered from the ordeal he endured in the sinking of Titanic; as a diabetic, his health was severely affected by the hypothermia and physical injuries he suffered. It was reported, though, that he was well enough to attend a Thanksgiving reception at the Hotel Gotham. Gracie fell into a coma on December 2, 1912 and died of complications from diabetes on December 4th 1912. His book was published in 1913 under the original title, The Truth about the Titanic.
It is impossible to overstate the rarity of this lot, it is written by one of the highest profile survivors, with excellent content and on the rarest of mediums a lettercard. A truly exceptional museum grade piece.
R.M.S. TITANIC: Unique Titanic lettercard from one of the most well known survivors of the disaster, First-Class passenger and author of The Truth About the Titanic Archibald Gracie. The letter card which is separated as per images is believed to be the only example from Gracie in existence from onboard Titanic. Dated April 10th and postmarked Queenstown 3.45pm April 11th and London April 12th it is written over four sides to the vendor’s great uncle who was an acquaintance of Gracie and received it in London at the Waldorf Hotel (he was a European ambassador from Alabama). Letters from survivors of Gracie's profile rarely, if ever, come to market and this piece has never been offered for sale. It reads in part“It is a fine ship but I shall await my journeys end before I pass judgment on her. The Oceanic is like an old friend and while she does not possess the elaborate style and varied amusement of this big ship, still her sea worthy qualities and yacht like appearance make me miss her. It was very kind of you to give me this kindly send off, with best wishes for your success and happiness Archibald Gracie.Gracie boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, and was assigned First-Class cabin C51. He spent much of the voyage chaperoning various unaccompanied women. They included the writer Helen Churchill Candee, 52, and three sisters, née Lamson, who were also in their fifties: Charlotte Appleton, Malvina Cornell, and Caroline Brown. All four women survived the sinking,Gracie socialized with a group he called "Our Coterie", joined by Candee, his friend J. Clinch Smith, and several others. He also spent time reading books he had found in the First-Class library and discussing the Civil War with the businessman Isidor Straus. Gracie was known among the other First-Class passengers as a tireless raconteur who had an inexhaustible supply of stories about Chickamauga and the Civil War in general.On April 14, Gracie decided that he had neglected his health and spent some time in physical exercise on the squash courts and in the ship's swimming pool. He then attended church services, had an early lunch, and spent the rest of the day reading and socializing. He went to bed early, intending on an early start the next morning on the ship's squash courts.At about 11:40 pm ship's time Gracie was jarred awake by a jolt. He sat up, realized the ship's engines were no longer moving, and partially dressed, putting on a Norfolk jacket over his regular clothes. Gracie joined Smith at the foot of the forward First-Class Grand Staircase on A Deck. Smith showed Gracie a piece of ice that had fallen off the berg. Reaching the Boat Deck, Gracie realized the ship was listing slightly. He returned to his cabin to put on his life jacket and on the way back found the women he had been chaperoning. He escorted them up to the Boat Deck and made sure they entered lifeboats. He then retrieved blankets for the women in the boats, and along with his friend Smith assisted Second Officer Charles Lightoller in filling the remaining lifeboats with women and children.Once the last regular lifeboat had been launched at 1:55 am on the 15th, Gracie and Smith assisted Lightoller and others in freeing the four Engelhardt collapsible boats that were stored atop the crew quarters and attached to the roof by heavy cords and canvas lashings. Gracie had to lend Lightoller his penknife so the boats could be freed. The men were able to launch Collapsibles "C" and "D" and free Collapsible "A" from its lashings, but while they were freeing Collapsible "B" from its place the bridge was suddenly awash. Gracie later wrote about the moment:“My friend Clinch Smith made the proposition that we should leave and go toward the stern. But there arose before us from the decks below a mass of humanity several lines deep converging on the Boat Deck facing us and completely blocking our passage to the stern. There were women in the crowd as well as men and these seemed to be steerage passengers who had just come up from the decks below. Even among these people there was no hysterical cry, no evidence of panic. Oh the agony of it”As the fore part of the ship dipped below the surface and the water rushed towards them, Gracie jumped with the wave, caught a handhold, and pulled himself up to the roof of the bridge. The undertow caused by the ship's sinking pulled Gracie down; he freed himself from the ship and rose to the surface near the overturned Collapsible "B". Gracie scrambled onto the overturned lifeboat along with a few dozen other men in the water. His friend Clinch Smith perished; his body never recovered. In his memoir, Gracie surmises Smith became entangled with the ropes and other debris on the ship and could not free himself.Gracie made it to the capsized Collapsible "B". Realising the risk to the boat of being swamped by the mass of swimmers around them, they paddled slowly away, ignoring the pleas of dozens of swimmers to be allowed on board. In his account, Gracie wrote of the admiration he had for those in the water; "In no instance, I am happy to say, did I hear any word of rebuke from a swimmer because of a refusal to grant assistance... [one refusal] was met with the manly voice of a powerful man... 'All right boys, good luck and God bless you'."As the night wore on, the exhausted, freezing, and soaking wet men aboard the overturned Collapsible "B" found it almost impossible to remain on the slick keel. Gracie later wrote that over half the men who had originally reached the collapsible either died from exhaustion or cold and slipped off the upturned keel during the night. As dawn broke and it became possible for those in other lifeboats to see them, Second Officer Lightoller (who was also on the collapsible, along with Wireless Operator Harold Bride) used his officer's whistle to attract the other boats' attention; eventually lifeboats Nos. 4 and 12 rowed over and rescued the survivors of the overturned boat. Gracie was so tired that he was unable to make the jump himself. He was pulled into lifeboat No. 12, the last lifeboat to reach R.M.S. Carpathia (the first rescue ship to arrive).Gracie returned to New York City aboard Carpathia and immediately started on a book about his experiences aboard Titanic and Collapsible "B". His is one of the most detailed accounts of the events of the evening; Gracie spent months trying to determine exactly who was in each lifeboat and when certain events took place. Gracie never recovered from the ordeal he endured in the sinking of Titanic; as a diabetic, his health was severely affected by the hypothermia and physical injuries he suffered. It was reported, though, that he was well enough to attend a Thanksgiving reception at the Hotel Gotham. Gracie fell into a coma on December 2, 1912 and died of complications from diabetes on December 4th 1912. His book was published in 1913 under the original title, The Truth about the Titanic.It is impossible to overstate the rarity of this lot, it is written by one of the highest profile survivors, with excellent content and on the rarest of mediums a lettercard. A truly exceptional museum grade piece.
Live
Venue address
Unit 1
Bath Road Business Centre
Bath Road
Devizes, Wiltshire
SN10 1XA
United Kingdom
Auction of Titanic, White Star, Transport and Icons of the 20th Century.
PLEASE NOTE: EARLIER START TIME OF 12NOON.
Bid in the room, online, by telephone or by commission bid.
To ensure you pay the 3% plus VAT online comission fee please make sure you do the following:
1. Login to your Saleroom account via our website.
2. Click register for this auction whilst still on our site, where you register for the auction determines the internet comission rate you pay.
PLEASE NOTE: If you register for the auction via the Saleroom.com and bid through our platform you will pay Saleroom comission rates!
Auction dates
Apr 26, 2025 12:00 PM BST
|
Auction currency
|
GBP |
|
Accepted cards
|
POSTAGE AND PACKING SERVICES:
Mail Boxes Etc. Chippenham - 01249 471 228 info@mbechippenham.co.uk
Dariuse Peterson - 07803 081531 dariuse@bar-berry.com
For larger items please contact our haulier Steve Hartley 07714 591287
These Conditions of Sale and Business constitute the contract between Henry Aldridge and Son Limited (the “Auctioneer”) and the seller, on the one hand, and the buyer on the other. By bidding at the auction, you agree to be bound by these terms.
Conditions of Sale for Buyers
These Conditions of Sale and Business constitute the contract between Henry Aldridge and Son Limited (the “Auctioneer”) and the seller, on the one hand, and the buyer on the other. By bidding at the auction, you agree to be bound by these terms.
INFORMATION FOR BUYERS
1. Introduction. The following informative notes are intended to assist Buyers, particularly those inexperienced or new to our salerooms. All sales are conducted on our printed Conditions of Sale which are readily available for inspection and normally accompany catalogues. Our staff will be happy to help you if there is anything you do not fully understand.
2. Agency. As auctioneers we usually contract as agents for the seller whose identity, for reasons of confidentiality, is not normally disclosed. Accordingly if you buy your primary contract is with the seller.
3. Estimates. Estimates are designed to help buyers gauge what sort of sum might be involved for the purchase of a particular lot. The lower estimate may represent the reserve price and certainly will not be below it. Estimates do not include the Buyer’s Premium or VAT (where chargeable). Estimates are prepared some time before the sale and may be altered by announcement before the sale. They are in no sense definitive.
4. Buyer’s Premium. The buyer agrees to pay a buyer’s premium on the hammer price of each lot purchased. The buyer’s premium is 22% of the hammer price up to and including £500,000, 15% of the hammer price from £500,001 up to and including £1,000,000, and 10% of the hammer price in excess of £1,000,001. VAT at the prevailing rate of 20% is added to buyer’s premium and additional charges as defined below.
5. VAT. (*) indicates that VAT is payable by the purchaser at the standard rate (presently 20%) on the hammer price as well as being an element in the buyer’s premium. This imposition of VAT is likely to be because the seller is registered for VAT within the European Union and is not operating the Dealers Margin Scheme or because VAT is due at 20% on importation into the UK. The double symbol (**) indicates that the lot has been imported from outside the European Union and the present position is that these lots are liable to a reduced rate of VAT (5%) on the gross lot price (i.e. both the hammer price and the buyer’s premium). Lots which appear without either of the above symbols indicate that no VAT is payable on the hammer price. This is because such lots are sold using the Auctioneers’ Margin Scheme it should be noted that the VAT included within the Premium is not recoverable as input tax.
6. Descriptions and Conditions. Condition reports are provided on our website or upon request. The absence of a report does not imply that a lot is without imperfections. The detail in a report will reflect the estimated value of the lot, and large numbers of such requests received shortly before the sale may not receive a response to all lots. Members of staff are not trained restorers or conservators and, particularly for higher value lots, you should obtain an opinion from such a professional. We recommend that you always view a lot in person. We are, primarily, agents for the seller. We are dependent on information provided by the seller and whilst we may inspect lots and act reasonably in taking a general view about them we are normally unable to carry out a detailed or any examination of lots in order to ascertain their condition in the way in which it would be wise for a buyer to do. Intending buyers have ample opportunity for inspection of goods, therefore, accept responsibility for inspecting and investigating lots in which they may be interested. Please note carefully the exclusion of liability for the condition of lots contained in the Conditions of Sale. Neither the seller nor we, as the auctioneers, accept any responsibility for their condition. In particular, mechanical objects of any age are not guaranteed to be in working order. Additionally, in specified circumstances lots misdescribed because they are ‘deliberate forgeries’ may be returned and repayment made. There is a 3 week time limit. (The expression ‘deliberate forgery’ is defined in our Conditions of Sale).
7. Electrical goods. These are sold as ‘antiques’ only and if bought for use must be checked over for compliance with safety regulations by a qualified electrician first.
8. Export of goods. Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain (a) whether an export licence is required and (b) whether there is any specific prohibition on importing goods of that character because, e.g. they may contain prohibited materials such as ivory. Ask us if you need assistance.
9. Bidding. Bidders are required to register before the sale commences and lots will be invoiced to the name and address on the registration form. Some form of identification may be required if you are unknown to us. Please enquire in advance about our arrangements for telephone bidding.
10. Commission bidding. Commission bids may be left with the auctioneers indicating the maximum amount to be bid excluding buyers’ premium. They will be executed as cheaply as possible having regard to the reserve (if any) and competing bids. If two buyers submit identical commission bids the auctioneers may prefer the first bid received. Please enquire in advance about our arrangements for the leaving of commission bids by telephone or fax.
11. Methods of Payment. The following methods of payment are acceptable. Debit Card drawn on a UK bank and registered to a UK billing address. There is no additional charge for purchases made with these cards. Overseas debit cards will be charged as per a credit card due to the charges levied by the card company. Bank transfer direct into our bank account, all transfers must state the relevant sale number, lot number and your bid / paddle number. If transferring from a foreign currency, the amount we receive must be the total due in pounds sterling (after currency conversion and the deduction of any bank charges). Our bank details can be found on the front or your invoice. All major UK issued credit cards registered to a UK billing address with the exception of American Express and Diners Club. A surcharge of 3% is payable on all payments made by credit cards.
12. Collection and storage. Please note what the Conditions of Sale state about collection and storage. It is important that goods are paid for and collected promptly. Any delay may involve the buyer in paying storage charges.
13. •Droit de suite royalty/ARR/DACS charges. From 1st January 2012 all UK art market professionals (which includes but is not limited to; auctioneers, dealers, galleries, agents and other intermediaries) are required to collect a royalty payment for all works of art that have been produced by qualifying artists each time a work is re-sold during the artist’s lifetime and for a period up to 70 years following the artists death. This payment is only calculated on qualifying works of art which are sold for a hammer price more than the UK sterling equivalent of EURO 1,000 – the UK sterling equivalent will fluctuate in line with prevailing exchange rates. It is entirely the responsibility of the buyer to acquaint himself with the precise EURO to UK Sterling exchange rate on the day of the sale in this regard, and the auctioneer accepts no responsibility whatsoever if the qualifying rate is different to the rate indicated. All items in this catalogue that are marked with • are potentially qualifying items, and the royalty charge will be applied if the hammer price achieved is more than the UK sterling equivalent of EURO 1,000. The royalty charge will be added to all relevant buyers’ invoices, and must be paid before items can be cleared. All royalty charges are passed on to the Design and Artists Copyright Society (‘DACS’), no handling costs or additional fees with respect to these charges will be retained by the auctioneers. The royalty charge that will be applied to qualifying items which achieve a hammer price of more than the UK sterling equivalent of EURO 1,000, but less than the UK sterling equivalent of EURO 50,000 is 4%. For qualifying items that sell for more than the UK sterling equivalent of EURO 50,000 a sliding scale of royalty charges will apply – for a complete list of the royalty charges and threshold levels, please see www.dacs.org.uk. There is no VAT payable on this royalty charge.
14. ASA Guidelines. As per ASA guidelines we would remind all buyers that estimates do not include our buyer’s premium at 22% (excluding VAT and any other fees) and this should be taken into account when bidding.
ONLINE BIDDING
Henry Aldridge and Son Limited offers an online bidding service via the-saleroom.com and www.easyliveauction.com for bidders who cannot attend the sale. In completing the bidder registration on www.the-saleroom.com or www.easyliveauction.com and providing your credit card details and unless alternative arrangements are agreed with Henry Aldridge and Son Limited. You authorise Henry Aldridge and Son Limited, if they so wish, to charge the credit card given in part or full payment, including all fees, for items successfully purchased in the auction via the-saleroom.com or www.easyliveauction.com, and confirm that you are authorised to provide these credit card detailsto ‘Henry Aldridge and Son Limited’ through www.the-saleroom.com and agree that Henry Aldridge and Son Limited are entitled to ship the goods to thecard holder name and card holder address provided in fulfilment of the sale.
Please note that any lots purchased via the-saleroom.com live auction service will be subject to an additional 5% commission charge + VAT at the rate imposed on the hammer price. If you are using the www.easyliveauction.com platform it is subject to an additional 5% plus VAT levied by the provider or a £3 flat fee payable prior to bidding. Finally you can register via our own website www.henryaldridge.com and pay 3% plus VAT.
(2) You personally are not able to transfer a good and marketable title to us, you shall have no rights under this condition.
The right of return provided by this Condition is additional to any right or remedy provided by law or by these Conditions of Sale.
General
16. We shall have the right at our discretion, to refuse admission to our premises or attendance at our auctions by any person.
17. (1) Any right to compensation for losses liabilities and expenses incurred in respect of and as a result of any breach of these Conditions and any exclusions provided by them shall be available to the seller and/or the auctioneer as appropriate.
(2) Such rights and exclusions shall extend to and be deemed to be for the benefit of employees and agents of the seller and/or the auctioneer who may themselves enforce them.
18. Any notice to any buyer, seller, bidder or viewer may be given by first class mail or email or in which case it shall be deemed to have been received by the addressee 48 hours after posting.
19. Special terms may be used in catalogue descriptions of particular classes of items in which case the descriptions must be interpreted in accordance with any glossary appearing at the commencement of the catalogue.
20. Any indulgence extended to bidders, buyers or sellers by us notwithstanding the strict terms of these Conditions or of the Terms of Consignment shall affect the position at the relevant time only and in respect of that particular concession only; in all other respects these Conditions shall be construed as having full force and effect.
21. English law applies to the interpretation of these Conditions.
PLEASE NOTE: Payment is by Card or Bank transfer only NO CASH.
Buyers Premium: The purchaser shall pay the hammer price together with a premium of 22% of the hammer price on lots costing £500,000 and below. For lots costing over £500,000.01 Buyers Premium will be charged at 20% on the first £500,000 then at 15% on the excess. The premium attracts VAT at the standard rate and is payable by all purchasers.
HMRC have decreed that VAT on buyer's premium is always payable whether the buyer is domiciled in the UK, the EU or outside the EU or wherever the goods are to be sent. So auctioneers cannot refund VAT on buyer's premium if the goods are sold under normal VAT rules.
Please Note: All Gold, Silver, Jewellery, Watch and Bullion Lots must be paid for by Direct Bank Transfer, Credit Cards and Not Accepted on These Lots.
Please note that any lots purchased via the-saleroom.com live auction service will be subject to an additional 5% commission charge + VAT at the rate imposed on the hammer price.
Please note due to the high number of attempted fraudulent card transactions that we have experienced recently, we will no longer be accepting payment over the phone by credit or debit card for over £250.