Titanic artefact fails to sell at auction

THE star lot in a collection of rare artefacts from the RMS Titanic failed to sell in auction yesterday.

A solid silver centrepiece, which would have adorned a table in the ill-fated liner’s exclusive a la carte restaurant, was removed by second purser Reginald Barker and part-exchanged for a new uniform by the White Star Line tailor Horace Bradshaw just before the Titanic set sail.

The centrepiece and 29 other Titanic items, collected by Mr Bradshaw’s family, went under the hammer at Bonhams in Knightsbridge, London yesterday.

Despite its expected price of £13,000, (€19,000) the centrepiece did not sell.

Bonhams is considering including it in an auction of further Titanic artefacts, which will be auctioned in Boston, USA, on May 1.

A presentation silver inkstand, which belonged to the ship’s Captain Smith went for the highest price of £3,960 (Titanic artefact fails to sell at auction €6,000).

A silver mounted glass sugar caster fetched £3,480 and a silver fob watch belonging to Annie Caton, who worked in the Titanic’s Turkish baths, sold for £1,560 (€2,246).

Its estimated price had been £1,200-£1,800 (Titanic artefact fails to sell at auction €1,800-€2,600).