A postcard from a first-class Titanic passenger, written just three days before the ship sank. CNN
A rare postcard written by a first-class passenger aboard the Titanic is set to be auctioned later this month. The postcard, sent by British businessman Richard William Smith, was addressed to Mrs. Olive Dakin in Norwich, England. The message was written on April 11, 1912, just three days before the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank on its maiden voyage. Smith, one of the many passengers who tragically perished when the ship went down, wrote the card during a stop in Cork, Ireland, after the Titanic had passed through Queenstown, now known as Cobh, in Ireland.
The note, written in pencil, reads: “Have had a fine run around to Queenstown. Just leaving for the land of stars and stripes.” It ends with a friendly, “Hope you are all quite well at home. Kindest regards, R.W.S.” The card was postmarked at 3:45 p.m. on April 11, 1912, offering a glimpse into the days before the tragedy that would claim over 1,500 lives.
The auction house handling the sale, Henry Aldridge & Son, specializes in Titanic memorabilia. Managing director Andrew Aldridge explained that Richard William Smith, a tea broker with interests in the U.S., had been traveling aboard the Titanic with a family friend, Mrs. Nicholls. Mrs. Nicholls was only traveling part of the way and was disembarking in Queenstown, which is why Smith likely asked her to send the postcard for him.
“The Titanic had just stopped in Queenstown to pick up more passengers,” Aldridge noted. “Little did anyone know what awaited them just 80 hours later.” The postcard has become an especially poignant object, as it is one of the last things Smith wrote before his tragic death.
Postcards from the Titanic are incredibly rare, but this particular one stands out because it was postmarked in Cork, a city about 13 miles from Queenstown. This unusual detail makes it even more significant for collectors. The postcard is expected to fetch up to £10,000 (around $12,900) when it goes up for auction as part of a “Titanic, White Star and Transport Memorabilia” sale on November 16.
The postcard, written in pencil by Richard William Smith, was mailed from Cork, Ireland, on April 11, 1912. CNN
Henry Aldridge & Son is known for hosting two Titanic auctions each year. Earlier in April, the auction house made headlines by selling a gold watch belonging to John Jacob Astor IV, one of the wealthiest passengers aboard the Titanic. The watch, which was expected to sell for between £100,000 and £150,000, went for an astounding £1.175 million ($1.51 million), setting a record for Titanic memorabilia at the auction house.
As the Titanic anniversary approaches, collectors and history enthusiasts eagerly await this rare opportunity to own a piece of history. The sale of Richard William Smith's postcard is likely to evoke powerful emotions, reminding everyone of the tragic events that unfolded just days after it was sent.
