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In the News

Titanic artifacts up for auction

A 5,500-piece collection of artifacts recovered from the wreck, as well as photos and intellectual property, is up for auction through Guernsey’s in New York, and will be announced on April 11, the 100th anniversary of the ocean liner’s voyage. According to a court order, the items must be sold in a complete lot, not piece by piece, and the winning bidder will have to properly maintain the pieces and have them available for public display.

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This porthole was most likely from a third-class cabin in the "crumple zone" on the stern, where the shell plating was warped as it was peeled off the ship's side. Because the third-class cabins were closer to the waterline and could be damaged more easily by waves, the portholes were smaller than found in the other classes. This one was found in the debris field.

/ Courtsey of RMS Titanic Inc.

This telegraph was recovered in 1987. First Officer William Murdoch, the officer in charge at the bridge when the Titanic struck an iceberg, used a telegraph to relay a message to the engine room about the iceberg.

This telegraph was recovered in 1987. First Officer William Murdoch, the officer in charge at the bridge when the Titanic struck an iceberg, used a telegraph to relay a message to the engine room about the iceberg.

/ Courtsey of RMS Titanic Inc.

This 2.4-gram ring was handmade, with bezel-set diamonds in a platinum band. The diamonds have a blue hue and were cut in the old European style.

This 2.4-gram ring was handmade, with bezel-set diamonds in a platinum band. The diamonds have a blue hue and were cut in the old European style.

/ Courtsey of RMS Titanic Inc.

One of the more valuable finds, this 15k rose gold, 26-gem bracelet was recovered in the 1987 expedition. There were at least two Titanic passengers named Amy, and an Amanda and Amelia.

One of the more valuable finds, this 15k rose gold, 26-gem bracelet was recovered in the 1987 expedition. There were at least two Titanic passengers named Amy, and an Amanda and Amelia.

/ Courtsey of RMS Titanic Inc.

Referred to as the 'Big Piece,' this section of the hull is the largest item recovered from the wreck site. A team first attemped to recover the hull section in 1996 but was stopped by bad weather. The 17-ton section was recovered in 1998, and has been on display at the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Referred to as the "Big Piece," this section of the hull is the largest item recovered from the wreck site. A team first attemped to recover the hull section in 1996 but was stopped by bad weather. The 17-ton section was recovered in 1998, and has been on display at the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

/ Courtsey of RMS Titanic Inc.

As the ship was sinking, pursers on the Titanic stuffed bags such as this one with jewelry and money that passengers had left in safe deposit boxes. Most of the bags went down with the ship. This bag was discovered on the 1987 dive.

As the ship was sinking, pursers on the Titanic stuffed bags such as this one with jewelry and money that passengers had left in safe deposit boxes. Most of the bags went down with the ship. This bag was discovered on the 1987 dive.

/ Courtsey of RMS Titanic Inc.

This bowler hat, a popular and necessary accessory for men at the time, was found in the wreck site in 1993, not within a leather bag or trunk.

This bowler hat, a popular and necessary accessory for men at the time, was found in the wreck site in 1993, not within a leather bag or trunk.

/ Courtsey of RMS Titanic Inc.

This chandelier hung in the ship's A la Carte Restaurant, located on the bridge deck. First-class passengers could make reservations for the exclusive and expensive dining room, which started as a small, 25-table eatery on the Olympic, before expanding to a 140-seat social club on the Titanic. The chandelier was treated with a process called electrophoresis after it was recovered, which uses electricity to remove tarnish and debis.

This chandelier hung in the ship's A la Carte Restaurant, located on the bridge deck. First-class passengers could make reservations for the exclusive and expensive dining room, which started as a small, 25-table eatery on the Olympic, before expanding to a 140-seat social club on the Titanic. The chandelier was treated with a process called electrophoresis after it was recovered, which uses electricity to remove tarnish and debis.

/ Courtsey of RMS Titanic Inc.

This crystal dish, with an intricate, hand-cut design, was found in 2000.

This crystal dish, with an intricate, hand-cut design, was found in 2000.

/ Courtsey of RMS Titanic Inc.

This bronze cherub once stood on the Titanic’s grand staircase, which was adorned by gilded ornaments. The staircase passed through the six decks.

This bronze cherub once stood on the Titanic’s grand staircase, which was adorned by gilded ornaments. The staircase passed through the six decks.

/ Courtsey of RMS Titanic Inc.

This promissory note was pulled from a leather bag in 1987, with minimal staining and damage.

This promissory note was pulled from a leather bag in 1987, with minimal staining and damage.

/ Courtsey of RMS Titanic Inc.

This dishwear was used in third-class, and is marked with only the White Star Line’s logo. The name Titanic never appeared on the china onboard so it could be used on the other ships owned by White Star Lines.

/ Courtsey of RMS Titanic Inc.

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