R.M.S. TITANIC: First-Class passenger Mr. William Henry Har...

Hammer

£29,000

R.M.S. TITANIC:

First-Class passenger Mr. William Henry Harrison four-page letter written onboard R.M.S. Titanic. Mr Harrison held the job of private secretary to one of Titanic’s most controversial figures White Star’s Managing Director Joseph Bruce Ismay. Mr Ismay was painted as the villain of the story in James Cameron's portrayal of the Titanic's ill-fated maiden voyage as he was the highest-ranking White Star official to survive, something he was heavily criticised for. He travelled on Titanic on ticket number 112059 and occupied First-Class cabin B94. He died in the sinking and his body was recovered by the Mackay Bennett #110. He was buried at Fairview Cemetery, Halifax on 1st May 1912.

This exceptional four-page letter on Titanic stationery is dated April 10th 1912. The content gives a fascinating snapshot into the life of the personal secretary to J. Bruce Ismay. He addresses his working conditions on board, which he is fed up with and ironically decides he wants a shore-based job in the future, describing the ship itself in great detail and even mentioning how Titanic has a few improvements from its sister ship, Olympic. "I had to work all the afternoon writing letters to post at Queenstown.” Interestingly he talks of his journey to Southampton on the train, an element that is rarely spoken about also meeting up with Ismay. "I found the boss in good shape". He talks about the ship itself, fellow passengers "we have 318 First-Class passengers, quite a small lot for this ship". The lot is sold with one of his company business cards.