A gold pocket watch awarded to Captain Arthur Rostron, who rescued over 700 survivors from the Titanic disaster, sold for nearly $2 million at auction, setting a new record for Titanic memorabilia. The 18-carat Tiffany & Co. watch was a gift from three female survivors in recognition of Rostron’s heroic actions after the Titanic struck an iceberg in 1912.
The auction, held by Henry Aldridge and Son, saw the watch sold to a private collector in the United States for £1.56 million ($1.98 million), including taxes and fees.
The watch was given to Rostron by Madeleine Astor, the widow of Titanic victim John Jacob Astor, along with the widows of two other wealthy men who perished in the disaster.
It bears an inscription of gratitude from the three women. The sale of this pocket watch surpassed the previous record set earlier this year when Astor’s own pocket watch fetched nearly $1.5 million. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge noted the continued fascination with Titanic artifacts, reflecting the lasting impact of the tragedy and the limited availability of such items.
Peoplesmind
