Businessman John Jacob Astor’s watch, which was sold to a private collector in the US, is the most expensive piece of memorabilia sold at auction in Titanic history. This is reported by auction agency Aldridge & Son in Devizes, Wiltshire.
The original owner of the watch, businessman John Jacob Astor, died in 1912 at the age of 47 when the Titanic sank. Just before he died, Astor saw his new wife Madeleine in a lifeboat.
“Astor is known as the richest passenger on board the RMS Titanic and was considered one of the richest people in the world at the time, with a net worth of approximately $87 million, equivalent to several billion dollars today,” said auctioneer Andrew Aldridge to news agency PA.
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“At 11:40 PM on April 14, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg and began taking on water. Astor did not believe at first that the ship was in great danger, but later it turned out that she was sinking and the captain had begun an evacuation after midnight, so he helped his wife into lifeboat 4.” Astor was last seen smoking a cigarette and chatting with a fellow passenger.
Madeleine Astor survived the disaster and her husband’s body was recovered on April 22 – seven days later – not far from where the Titanic sank. His 14-karat gold Waltham pocket watch was also found. His initials ‘JJA’ were engraved on it.
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Enduring fascination
The previous highest amount paid for Titanic artefacts was €1.3 million for a violin that was being played when the ship sank. An item sold at the same auction house in 2013.
A spokesman for the auctioneers said the 1.5 million included fees and taxes, and would be paid by the buyer. The violin case was sold at the same auction on Saturday as the pocket watch for 425,000 euros, again including costs and taxes.
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Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said the prices the Titanic memorabilia fetched at the auction were “absolutely incredible”.
“Not only do they reflect the importance of the artefacts themselves and their rarity, but they also demonstrate the enduring appeal and fascination with the Titanic story. 112 years later, we still talk about the ship, its passengers and its crew,” Aldridge said.
The violin was sold for 1.3 million euros. — © AFP
