In a remarkable sale at Henry Aldridge and Son auction house in Wiltshire, England, Col. Archibald Gracie's letter, penned on April 10, 1912, was sold for a staggering $399,000. This date, just days before the Titanic struck an iceberg, marks a chilling moment in history. Following a fortunate survival through the chaos of the sinking, Gracie describes the ship as a “fine ship" in the letter, but with caution advises waiting for the journey’s conclusion to render judgment.
The letter, addressed to a European ambassador—and ultimately passed down through family—exhibits elegant cursive handwriting and features the letterhead of R.M.S. Titanic. It was postmarked on April 12 in London, just before the fateful iceberg collision which occurred on April 14 and led to the ship's demise the following day. Gracie's survival story stands in stark contrast to many who perished that night: he was hurled into the icy waters and clung to a raft for hours prior to rescue.
The buyer of the letter, who remains unnamed, is based in the United States according to auction officials. As the memory of the Titanic continues to captivate people worldwide, this letter adds a personal narrative to an immense tragedy that claims a permanent chapter in maritime history.
