A rare relic from the Titanic tragedy has defied all expectations at a recent auction, selling for a whopping £670,000.

The life jacket, worn by first class passenger Laura Mabel Francatelli, is the only such item from a survivor to ever be auctioned in more than a century. Francatelli was among the lucky 700 or so who managed to survive the 1912 disaster, having used the vest before boarding a lifeboat.

Carefully preserved over the years, the vest bears the survivors’ signatures and features unique details such as 12 functional pockets, shoulder supports and side straps – elements that make it a living testament to the drama of that night. fatal.

The auction was conducted by Henry Aldridge & Son, while auctioneer Andrew Aldridge described the sale as an extraordinary moment, highlighting the continued public interest in the history of the Titanic and the people who were a part of it.

A seat cushion from one of the lifeboats was also sold at the same auction for £390,000. This object is associated with Richard William Smith, a tea importer from London who tragically lost his life after his ship collided with an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean. His body was never found.

The pillow was bought by the Titanic Museum Attraction, where it will be on display for visitors, bringing the moving story of the Titanic closer to home.

This auction comes at a symbolic time, as Southampton commemorated the 114th anniversary of the sinking of the ship, an event that remains one of the most painful and talked about in maritime history.

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Source: prizrenpost