A rare Titanic memorial postcard, printed shortly after the 1912 disaster, is being auctioned. It was mailed from London and honors the ship and lost.
At the time, the Titanic was a very fancy ship. Building it cost £1.5 million, which equals about £170 million today. It had lovely dining areas and first-class rooms, even featuring the first pool on a cruise ship.
Soon after the sinking, postcards were printed to honor the ship and the lost. One card reads, “She wrecked on her first trip,” referencing the journey from Southampton to New York when it hit an iceberg.
Someone mailed the card in 1912 from London to Miss Dartnell. Later, a family member found it and took it to an auction house, specifically Hansons Auctioneers in Derby.
An auctioneer, Charles Hanson, commented that the postcard came from a family’s belongings. He noted that it shows an interesting moment in time, reflecting the public’s intense interest in the disaster.
Over 1,500 people died when the Titanic sank, and the public made these cards after the event. This highlights how people viewed tragedy at the time, as big disasters often became postcards.
The postcard still has its old green stamp, featuring King George V. It is estimated that the card might sell for £100 to £150, and the auction will take place this month.
