May 22, 2008 - Sale 2147

Sale 2147 - Lot 445

Price Realized: $ 6,720
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 8,000 - $ 12,000
(WHITE STAR LINE.) "Titanic." Group of 9 file letters related to the disaster, from various correspondents, but kept in the archives of the International Mercantile Marine Co. in New York. Each one page, 4to. Detailed below. Vp, vd
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Additional Details

First is dated 03 May 1912 on Southampton based White Star letterhead from the First Class Passenger Dept., and is directed to the sister department in the New York office on Broadway. It is headed "'Titanic' Wreck." The letter states that White Star was "making separate letters for each enquiry to facilitate the investigation in your office," and further requests that each enquiry receive a reference number. It is initialed by 5 different staff members.
Second is a letter from Mrs. Everett in Bristol who lost her husband on the ship and requested a photograph of his grave. She requests that any effects be returned to her, including money she believes he was carrying. She paints her situation as desperate. Dated 07 May 1913.
Third is a rather blurred carbon? letter from the Southampton to the New York office communicating the details of the previous letter and asking whether money was found and stating that Mrs. Everett "seems to be in rather poor circumstances." Dated 08 May 1912.
Fourth is a letter from the Halifx office dated 08 May 1912, stating "Inquiries have been received from you for the following bodies, which we have not been able to identify, either among those brought in by the MACKAY-BENNETT or the MINIA," followed by a list of 37 names. The letter is signed by A. V. Mitchell.
Fifth and Sixth are basically form letters by which the recipients of articles found on the dead acknowledge their delivery. Each is dated 17 May 1912.
Seventh is on I.M.M. letterhead and states that the undersigned is legally entitled to the effects taken from the body of Tyrell W. Cavendish. The letter is neither Signed nor witnessed. It was probably sent as an example of how a document should be filled out when relatives were receiving effects of loved ones. Dated 20 May 1912.
Eigth letter is an undated notice saying that when the value of effects taken from dead passengers is valued over $100, those effects were turned over to the Provincial Secretary at Halifax. Claimants are advised to make their claims directly to the Provincial Secretary.
Final is on I.M.M. letterhead and is similar to the seventh, except no passenger's name is given. It is, as such, a type of form letter. It is undated.