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Titanic Watch Fetches Record $2.2M at Auction
23 Nov
Summary
- Isidor Straus' 18-carat gold watch sold for a record $2.2 million.
- The watch was recovered from the wreckage after the Titanic sank.
- The auction also featured other Titanic memorabilia, totaling $3 million.
A remarkable 18-carat gold pocket watch, once belonging to Isidor Straus, a prominent Macy's partner who perished in the Titanic disaster, has achieved a world-record sum of $2.2 million at auction. This historic timepiece, gifted to Straus on his 43rd birthday in 1888, was recovered from the wreckage and later returned to his family, symbolizing the tragedy and the enduring human stories connected to the ill-fated voyage.
The auction, held by Henry Aldridge & Son, showcased a collection of Titanic-related artifacts, amassing a total of $3 million. Among the notable items were a poignant letter penned by Ida Straus on Titanic stationery, which sold for $100,000, and a passenger list that fetched $104,000. A gold medal awarded to the RMS Carpathia's crew also contributed to the sale, fetching $86,000.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge emphasized that the record price underscores the timeless public interest in the Titanic's narrative, with each artifact serving as a testament to the individual stories of those on board. The sale of Straus' watch is seen as a tribute to the profound love story of Isidor and Ida Straus, who famously chose to face their fate together rather than separate on the sinking ship.
