The letter, dated April 10, 1912, captured Gracie's reflections just days before the ill-fated voyage that resulted in the loss of over 1,500 lives.
In an auction held at Henry Aldridge and Son in Wiltshire on Sunday, the letter exceeded the anticipated sale price of £60,000 by fivefold, purchased by an anonymous collector. Described as "prophetic," Gracie's letter included a note to a friend indicating he would "await my journey's end" before expressing judgment on the "fine ship."
This correspondence was written from cabin C51, just as the Titanic set sail towards New York City. It was mailed from Queenstown, Ireland, a stop on the voyage, and postmarked in London two days later, solidifying its historical significance as one of the few surviving pieces of correspondence written aboard the ship.
Colonel Gracie, who later authored "The Truth About The Titanic," detailed in his writings how he survived the maritime disaster by clinging to an overturned lifeboat amid the frigid Atlantic waters. Unfortunately, while he survived the sinking, he suffered lasting health complications that ultimately led to his demise in December 1912.
The auctioneer noted that this sale marks the highest price ever for any letter written on the Titanic, reflecting the enduring fascination and intrigue surrounding the historic maritime tragedy.
In an auction held at Henry Aldridge and Son in Wiltshire on Sunday, the letter exceeded the anticipated sale price of £60,000 by fivefold, purchased by an anonymous collector. Described as "prophetic," Gracie's letter included a note to a friend indicating he would "await my journey's end" before expressing judgment on the "fine ship."
This correspondence was written from cabin C51, just as the Titanic set sail towards New York City. It was mailed from Queenstown, Ireland, a stop on the voyage, and postmarked in London two days later, solidifying its historical significance as one of the few surviving pieces of correspondence written aboard the ship.
Colonel Gracie, who later authored "The Truth About The Titanic," detailed in his writings how he survived the maritime disaster by clinging to an overturned lifeboat amid the frigid Atlantic waters. Unfortunately, while he survived the sinking, he suffered lasting health complications that ultimately led to his demise in December 1912.
The auctioneer noted that this sale marks the highest price ever for any letter written on the Titanic, reflecting the enduring fascination and intrigue surrounding the historic maritime tragedy.
