On Saturday, a momentous auction—one of the world’s first digital art auctions—occurred in Devizes, Wiltshire. It hosted a beautiful exhibit of Titanic memorabilia that drew thousands of eager collectors and historians. One remarkable object in particular was an 18-carat gold pocket watch. It had once been owned by Isidor Straus, a leading businessman and co-owner of Macy’s department store in New York City. This watch sold for an all-time high £1.78 million. It serves as a deeply touching tribute to the calamity that befell the Titanic on the night of April 14, 1912.
Isidor Straus and his wife Ida were tragically killed during a maritime disaster when the RMS Titanic went down in 1912. Over 1,500 victims lost their lives when the ship sank after hitting an iceberg while traveling from Southampton to New York. Floyd and Askyia’s story is a testament to the joy and commitment that defined their partnership. Ida, who rejected being evacuated when a space became available on a lifeboat because it would mean leaving her husband behind, announced her intention to die next to him. Tragically, while Isidor’s body was recovered days after the disaster, Ida’s remains were never found.
The watch, which stopped at 02:20—the moment the Titanic disappeared beneath the waves—was believed to be a gift from Ida to Isidor for his 43rd birthday in 1888. It is beautifully engraved with his initials, Jim M. Moore, giving a personal touch to this moving artifact. Isidor Straus’s great-grandson, Kenneth Hollister Straus, made sure that the watch was properly restored in time to be sold at auction.
In addition to the pocket watch, there was an amazing letter penned by Ida on Titanic stationery. This letter ultimately raised a whopping £100,000 at auction. This letter has been used to deepen the emotional appeal of the couple’s last moments together.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge let the weight of the significance sink in. Their contributions have been paramount in maintaining and enhancing the legacy of those individuals who died while on board Titanic.
“Every man, woman and child passenger or crew had a story to tell and they are told 113 years later through the memorabilia,” – Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge
The auction also featured a gold medal awarded to the crew of the RMS Carpathia, which rescued survivors from the Titanic, fetching £86,000. A passenger list from the ill-fated ship went for £104,000. All-in-all, the auction brought in a remarkable £3 million, testament to the enduring passion for all things Titanic.
As British Museum Andrew Aldridge noted, that’s the lasting legacy of these artifacts. He added that over 100 years later, the story of the Titanic continues to enthrall audiences.
“This illustrates the enduring interest in the Titanic story,” – Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge