Monday, November 9, 2009

My "Titanic" Collection

I am a huge fan of the "Titanic" (the real deal, not the movie) and have been collecting memorabilia for about 20 years. I decided to dedicate my guest room as the area to house most of my collection. The "Titanic", as most people know, was a luxury liner that sank on April 14, 1912 just 3 days after it's official launch from Southampton, England.



This is one of the last photos taken of the "Titanic".


This is my guest room where I showcase most of my collection. I even bought a brass porthole mirror to fit into the theme. Most of my pieces have been purchased through private sellers or were given to me as gifts.






The above is a document sent to Father Brown from the White Star Line asking him to please refrain from talking about the tragedy during his lectures. Father Brown was a survivor of this dreadful journey and the White Star Lines was doing everything they could to hush all negative talk about the way things were handled.




This was another document sent to Father Brown welcoming him as a passenger on White Star Line's newest ship, the Titanic. They had enclosed his passes.





When my husband and I took a New England Cruise one of the ports we stopped in was Halifax, Nova Scotia, the final resting place for many of the passengers who drowned. There were several unmarked graves as many of the passengers had not been identified.



On that same tour we stopped at the "Titanic Maritime Museum" and took this photo of me lounging in a reproduction of the chairs used on the ship.


There were several patterns of china used on board but none were as distinguished as this cobalt blue with gold trim pattern. Apparently only 190 were ordered for the ship so it is assumed these may have been used in the 2 largest staterooms or possibly for VIP dinners.


This is the menu of the dinner served on what was to be the last night on the ship. You can see the date of April 14th at the top.



Ralph and I took a tour of the Titanic Museum in Orlando and snapped this picture of a reproduction of the now famous stairway. The gown in the back gives you some idea as to how large it is. It was designed with great attention to detail.


Here we are standing in front of the staircase. The photos are a little hazy as they are currently in a picture frame.

The Titanic has always fascinated me not only because of the tragedy but because it was the beginning of the breakdown of the classes.


Prior to April 14, 1912 there was a distinction among the classes and none more obvious than on the Titanic. The first class passengers had larger rooms and were constantly served by the staff. They also had first priority when it came to loading the lifeboats.


The third class passengers were crowded into rooms with other families and were never allowed above their deck. Some say that the hallways were barred during the sinking preventing them from getting to the deck where the lifeboats awaited.


Because of this terrible tragedy people were beginning to realize that one life was not worth more than another and many were appalled at the treatment of the lower class citizens during a time when all should have been seeking a common goal; to be rescued.

6 comments:

Caroline said...

Wow, impressive collection! I've always been fascinated by the Titanic as well, ever since I read a book about it in third grade. So sad and tragic.

MYSTIC SILKS said...

Chris,
This " Titanic" blog deserves several viewers and comments--very well done!

I am so glad I was not on that ship.

And you're so right, there was a definite difference in how the upper class passengers and poorer passengers were treated.

But how the classes of people were treated is nothing new down through the centuries of mankind.

Jesus himself said, " the poor will always be with you." This was said when Judas objected to the expensive oil being used on Jesus' feet. He wanted the money used for buying the oil, given to the poor.

Dusty said...

Fascinating, great story.

Nisha said...

Great blog post- glad I stumbled upon it.

whyte said...

Found your blog and art through Stacey Artsnark's feature on you! Love your mosaics, always wanted to try it from broken pieces ever since seeing a birdbath down from them....never did it! Really enjoyed your write up on Artsnarks blog, your work and studio and now enjoying this entry on the Titanic.

Rick_Armstrong said...

Chris,
I have an item from Mabel Fortune who was a survivor from the Titanic. It is a pewter golf mug that she won in Winnipeg in 1913 the year after the sinking. Also may have some photos from that period of her as well as a couple of items from her son Robert(whom she basically abandoned as a child. I was in contact with her two grandsons last year and received the items from them here in Victoria where Mabel lived out the last of her life.
Interested?
Please email me at rwapropsplus@shaw.ca or call at 250-6613233 and I can give you descriptions of what I have. These items are 100% guaranteed authentic.
I am on the West Coast.My answering machine picks up after the 10th ring if I am unavailable.
Let's talk.
All the best,
Rick