[guide.chat] Titanic auction

From: "Carol O'Connor" <missbossyboots33@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "guide chat" <guide.chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2012 11:26:13 +0100
Titanic memorabilia is auctioned in Wiltshire. 
Titanic first-class luncheon menu  The first-class menu was dated 14 April 
1912, the last lunch on board the Titanic 
Related Stories. 
About 370 Titanic items are being auctioned in Wiltshire ahead of the 100th 
anniversary of the sinking of the ill-fated ocean liner.
The items include a first-class menu dated 14 April 1912, the last day aboard 
the stricken ship.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said: "It's a fascinating snapshot of life on board 
as a first-class passenger."
The ship sailed from Southampton on its maiden voyage. More than 550 people 
from the city died in the disaster.
The items also include letters and a set of storeroom keys where the ship's 
lifeboat lanterns were stored.'Finest restaurant' 
The first-class menu shows several courses on offer, such as eggs Argenteuil, 
consomme fermier and chicken a la Maryland.
"What we have to consider is that the Titanic was regarded as the finest 
restaurant afloat and this does illustrate that point. There are over 40 
different options for one lunch," said Mr Aldridge.
"Start Quote. 
The keys themselves played a part in the story as they were actually used in 
those last desperate hours"End Quote Andrew Aldridge, auctioneer 
The menu was on the table of the first-class passenger Dr Washington Dodge, a 
prominent banker from San Francisco who was with his wife and son. The letter 
had been in Ruth Dodge's purse when she on board a lifeboat.
She and her son survived the tragedy and the menu has stayed with the family 
ever since.
One letter being auctioned off was written by the second in command of the 
Titanic, Chief Officer Henry Wilde.
Mr Wilde was deputy to Captain EJ Smith and died in the disaster which claimed 
1,500 lives.
In the letter to his family, written on Titanic letter-headed stationary, he 
praises the Titanic, describing her as a "wonderful ship the latest thing in 
shipbuilding".
Titanic storeroom keys The keys were used to gain access to a storeroom where 
the lifeboat lanterns were kept on the Titanic 
A second letter was written by James Arthur Paignton, the captain's steward.
Also among the items are a set of storeroom keys used by a crewman, Samuel 
Hemming, to fetch lanterns for the lifeboats.
"The keys themselves played a part in the story as they were actually used in 
those last desperate hours.
"This is because Mr Hemming received a personal order from the captain as the 
ship was sinking and it became apparent all was lost to ensure all of the 
lifeboats were provided with lamps," said Mr Aldridge.
It is expected the items will fetch between £50,000 and £60,000 at Henry 
Aldridge and Sons auction house in Devizes.
[guide.chat] Titanic auction

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