Titanic cigar box goes for £25,000

[El Presidente]

Titanic cigar box goes for £25,000

May 20 2011 by Iain McMullen, Liverpool Echo

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a5606c0c-8074-11...l#axzz1N4ab7f3V

A CIGAR box that once belonged to the ill-fated captain of the Titanic raised £25,000 at auction.

The antique walnut humidor was found earlier this month in Southport, with the owner unaware of its historical significance.

It was only when Hilary Mee arranged for a valuation that its connection to the famous ship and its captain Edward Smith was revealed.

John Crane from auctioneers Cato Crane & Co saw the initials EJS on the box and made the connection to the Stoke-born captain.

//He said: “It was a very exciting moment when we discovered the box. It’s safe to say it’s a unique object.”

Initial estimates by Mr Crane put the expected sale price between £10-20,000 but the box was eventually sold via a telephone bid of £25,000.

The auction item attracted great interest and the auction room on Stanhope Street was packed with would-be buyers and curious spectators.Radio Merseyside presenter Billy Butler was also in attendance, broadcasting live on his afternoon show.RMS Titanic was hailed as unsinkable when she launched on her maiden voyage to New York City on April 10 1912. Two days later she struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic and sank with 1,517 people onboard.

The Liverpool-registered ship was owned by White Star Lines and the disaster became one of the most infamous moments of modern times.

The actions of 62-year-old Captain Smith came under great scrutiny in the aftermath of the tragedy as people sought a scapegoat.

Captain Smith was married and had a daughter called Helen who was born in Liverpool in 1898.

Relatives of Helen passed the cigar box onto Mrs Mee’s dad, who is now in his eighties.

Auctioneer Mr Crane believes the box, which holds 30 cigars, may have sat on Captain Smith’s desk at the White Star Line offices on James Street.

He said: “It could have been given to Smith to reward him for 25 years at the company.”

Mr Crane said the discovery was fascinating for him adding: “I must confess a slight tingle went down my spine.”

The buyer is unknown.

[Warren]

Wow, 25,000 pounds for a 30 stick humidor.

If I was the buyer I might be getting a sinking feeling about now.

[bob25]

Well,if you ask me it doesn't look great.

[cigarros]

Well,if you ask me it doesn't look great.

It's piece of History mate! It's owner real cap of legendary Titanic

[CanuckSARTech]

Show us a pic when you get it Fatcigar.

LOL.