Amidst all the hoopla surrounding the Titanic centenary, a sea of memorabilia from the ship is coming to auction. One of the more interesting items is the telegram that alerted the British Isles and Europe that the Belfast-built ocean liner was sinking. Dated 15 April 1912, the telegram was sent by the Press Association to the Belfast Evening Telegraph, and received by journalist Robert (Bob) McComb. Dublin-based Whyte’s will offer the telegram at an auction on April 21st, where it’s expected to sell for $26,000-$39,000.Over at Bonhams, there’s another Titanic sale on April 15th, marking the exact date of the centenary. One of the highlighted items is a rare ticket to the Belfast launching of the Titanic. Dated 31 May, 1911, it’s the only known unused ticket with the entry stub still attached, and has an estimate of $50,000-$70,000. Another resonant offering is a Marconi message from the Titanic to the R.M.S. Olympic on 14 April 1912. The distress call reads “We have struck an ice berg” (est. $25,000-$35,000).
Update: The ticket sold for $56,250.
