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Online Display Of Titanic Related Items From Private Collection
Scarce & Special ☆☆☆☆☆

UNSEEN UNUSUAL UNEQUALLED ARTIFACTS & OTHER TREASURES !


TITANIC BOMBSHELL !!!
ONLY HERE ON SSTITANIC.ORG !!!!!!!!!!!!!
THE MOST INCREDIBLE UNKNOWN UNSEEN TITANIC ARTIFACT YOU HAVE EVER SEEN !
TO THIS DAY NOT DOCUMENTED IN ANY BOOK, NOR MUSEUM, NOR COLLECTION !
YET ANOTHER MIND BOGGLING TITANIC RELIC PICK EXCLUSIVELY BY SSTITANIC.ORG !
IT'S THE LIFEBOAT ROPEITOOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!
TITANIC BOMBSHELL !!!


divot punch slug not rivethead rivet head titanic 1912

Here no words such as '(Lost)1912', so this divot almost certainly commemorates the launch, not the sinking.

Divot, punch waste from 7/8" steel plate, pre-sinking keepsake

Size top x base x side: 3.7 x 3.1 x 2.1 cm (1.45 x 1.22 x 0.83 in) Weight: 165 gr (5.8 oz)

VERY RARE LAUNCH MEMENTO !  HARLAND & WOLFF SHIPBUILDING ARTIFACT !

Auctioneer Henry Aldridge: "rivet/divot head" (most recent 16 Nov 2024) !  STILL, STILL, after ALL these years !!
A DIVOT IS A HYDRAULIC PUNCH-OUT FROM A STEEL PLATE, THUS CREATING A HOLE FOR THE LATER RIVET

Most of Titanic's steel hull plates were up to 1 inch (2.54 cm) thick. Plates in areas known to suffer more stress would be 1.25" (3.2 cm) or even 1.5" (3.8 cm). Prior to riveting the plates together – sometimes multi-layered for added strength – holes for the rivets had to be created first. This was done in the Platers Shed at H&W, by hydraulically pressing out a "divot", or also called "(divot) slug", "(divot) punch (out)", "(rivet) punch(ing)", "(riveting) plug", or, as H&W workers would call, "blae"/"blai". Essentially, a divot is a steel plate's leftover, scrap metal. Harland & Wolff shipyard workers would collect a bunch, expectedly at or nearby the Platers Shed, stamp/engrave them to their liking, then sometimes nickel (chrome?) plate them (as this divot), and ultimately sell these folk-art creations off to locals and also visitors of Belfast, Ireland, UK. Apparently this particular divot was punched from 7/8 (0.875) inch plate.

Although there seems no way in confirming, this divot in my collection almost certainly is pre-sinking Titanic: a memento of either the launch, 31 May 1911, which is the most likely, or the completion, 2 April 1912. Interesting about this divot is that its side has not been machine polished, thus retaining the ripped steel structure from the punching, the pressing out. Also the bottom side has not been machine polished (read: flattened) at the time of production, thus retaining its concave shape from the punching, the pressing out. Only the top and the top's contour have been machine polished.

Most experts and collectors do not know what the metal object is. Henry Aldridge & Son, Bonhams, Christie's, Mealy's, NMNI, RR Auction, Titanic Universe, Woolley & Wallis: almost all auctioneers and institutions, even by their maritime specialists, have mispresented and often keep on mispresenting a divot as a "rivet (head)" while not even looking like a rivet (head)! The ignorance among auctioneers as well as general public in regards divots is also evident from several low sales revenues in the past. ... more


divot punch slug not rivethead rivet head titanic 1912

After the electrical engraving, the steel underwent nickel or chrome plating (which is now lost in many areas).

Divot, punch scrap from 1.25" hull plate, post-disaster souvenir

Size top x base x side: 3.9 x 3.2 x 3.2 cm (1.55 x 1.25 x 1.25 in) Weight: 240 gr (8.5 oz)

VERY RARE SINKING MEMENTO !  HARLAND & WOLFF SHIPBUILDING ARTIFACT !

Auctioneer Henry Aldridge: "rivet/divot head" (most recent 16 Nov 2024) !  STILL, STILL, after ALL these years !!
A DIVOT IS A HYDRAULIC PUNCH-OUT FROM A STEEL PLATE, THUS CREATING A HOLE FOR THE LATER RIVET

Featured in the previous article is my divot from 7/8 inch steel plate simply inscribed "S.S.Titanic". Now my divot in this article clearly is a post-sinking edition, a memento of the disaster on 14-15 April 1912. It appears to be from 1.25 inch plate, thus more specifically hull plate, and its side is decorated with 3 times a double 3-leafed shamrock (better known as: clover), national symbol of Ireland. The initial slightly concave shaped underside (from the pressing out) has been flattened, polished, and shows a screw thread (original, because also seen on another divot), this possibly being a preparation for a walking stick. So, prior to flattening the base, and creating the screw thread, and polishing the side, and performing the ornate engravings, this divot was originally an estimated (almost) 15% higher in weight: ca. 275 gr (9.6 oz). 


divot punch slug not rivethead rivet head titanic 1912

This is the only known Olympic/Titanic ("Olympic class" liners) divot without text, just imagery (oil painting).

Olympic/Titanic memento divot, rivet punching from 7/8" plate

Size top x base x side (divot): 3.7 x 3.1 x 2.1 cm (1.45 x 1.22 x 0.83 in) Weight (divot): 165 gr (5.8 oz)

VERY RARE COMMEMORATIVE !  HARLAND & WOLFF SHIPBUILDING ARTIFACT !

Auctioneer Henry Aldridge: "rivet/divot head" (most recent 16 Nov 2024) !  STILL, STILL, after ALL these years !!
A DIVOT IS A HYDRAULIC PUNCH-OUT FROM A STEEL PLATE, THUS CREATING A HOLE FOR THE LATER RIVET

[ Article text still to come.] 


divot punch slug not rivethead rivet head titanic 1912

To craft this was utmost labor-intensive. Still, it most probably memorializes Titanic's sinking, not completion.

Divot, punch from 1" steel plate, as salt/trinket box, post-sinking

Size [divot] top x base x side: 3.7 x 3.0 x 2.4 cm (1.45 x 1.18 x 0.95 in) Weight [object]: 90 gr (3.2 oz)

VERY RARE TITANIC MEMENTO !  HARLAND & WOLFF SHIPBUILDING ARTIFACT !

Auctioneer Henry Aldridge: "rivet/divot head" (most recent 16 Nov 2024) !  STILL, STILL, after ALL these years !!
A DIVOT IS A HYDRAULIC PUNCH-OUT FROM A STEEL PLATE, THUS CREATING A HOLE FOR THE LATER RIVET

[ Article text still to come.] 


souvenir photo cabinet card photograph passengers survivors victims titanic 1912

Studio photographic print on multi-layer card. Edge is skewed. Black oval is raised. Gold text is lowered.

Souvenir Photo, near certain portraying doomed passenger(s)

Size: 18.0 x 13.0 cm (7.1 x 5.1 in) Thick: 0.1 cm (1/25 in)

RARE AS SNOW IN JULY !  PASSENGER(S) MEMENTO OF MAIDEN TRIP TITANIC !

Incredible find !  Its significance & overall value can not be overstated !
THIS 'SOUVENIR PHOTO' WAS PRODUCED IN SOUTHAMPTON & SAVED BY AN UNKNOWN TITANIC PASSENGER !

$ 500  REWARD FOR ANY INFO LEADING TO IDENTIFICATION OF WOMAN &/OR GIRL

Yet another indescribably scarce and special Titanic related item: a cabinet card photo portrait, undoubtedly pre-sinking. Really, its significance, rarity and (potential) overall value to my belief and conviction are fabulous and can not be overstated. An outright incredible and almost impossible once in a lifetime find. Without question one of my best Titanic finds ever. Oval shaped real photo, most probably gelatin silver print, mounted on heavy card stock. The black border and gold text are embossed. Actually, "White Star Lines" is misspelled (as is seen occasionally); in reality the company's name was not plural. Cabinet cards such as this splendid specimen were not produced on the ship itself, but by entrepreneurs in Southampton, UK. (The cabinet photo portrait card was introduced in 1866 and remained popular until c1914.) With a magnifying glass it is hard to see and to determine, but the pictures in the magazine that both females are looking at certainly appear to be images (photos) of steamships. The card's back, at the top, shows indentations of pencil (graphite), which has "faded" over time. With side lighting, these faint writing remnants unfortunately remain unreadable.

At one time the heavily damaged bottom left corner was repaired with tape (not by me of course), but this had separated, or was removed, and then the broke off corner got lost for good. Over time I have seen several tens of thousands cabinet cards, but any major damage to a corner is exceedingly exceptional; perhaps only one in several thousand cards will show this. Go figure: cabinet cards are thick and also sturdy (still today), and mostly sitting in albums, shoe boxes, picture frames. Only an extreme/exceptional circumstance will cause it to tear/break. A set of 3 rather similar cards auctioned in 2007 at Christie's in New York also showed quite severe damage (see images nr 6-7). Those 3 cabinet cards were taken off the sinking Titanic by survivors, from Finland: 27-year old Elisabeth Johnson (nee Alina Backberg) and her 19-month old daughter Eleanor; husband Oscar Johnson had remained in USA. Christie's selling price of $2,880 in 2007 for these incredibly scarce and fascinating significant artifacts is, by later standards, a total "bargain" (having been on the ship!; mentioning the ship's name!; depicting onboard passengers!; taken off the ship by survivors!). In the centenary year 2012 and still until today this certainly could or even would have been at least 10(!) to 20(!) times higher; indeed, at least some $30,000 to $60,000 (if not double that). This is also evident from artifact sales in the years since the 100th anniversary. ... more

$ 500  REWARD FOR ANY INFO LEADING TO IDENTIFICATION OF WOMAN &/OR GIRL


captain edward john smith cigar box and holder titanic 1912

This cigar smoking 'set' was found in the attic of captain E.J. Smith's house, 17 Marine Crescent, Liverpool.

Titanic capt. Edward John Smith cigar box & cigar holder, c1900

Size cigar box: 6.4 x 6.4 x 13.9 cm (2.5 x 2.5 x 5.5 in) Weight: 150 gr (5.3 oz)
Size cigar holder: 1.6 x 3.9 cm (0.6 x 3.7 in) Weight: 7 gr (0.25 oz)

UNIQUE ATTIC FINDINGS FROM LIVERPOOL HOME OF LATER TITANIC CAPTAIN !

Try find another !  Amazing scarce unprecedented collectible specialty !

Early in 1988 a woman aged 30 and named Ros(i)e bought the residence 17 Marine Crescent in Liverpool, England, UK. Only several years later, early 1990s, production researchers for the James Cameron movie "Titanic" (1997) came to her house. On that occasion she learned something very special: Edward John Smith, the later Titanic captain, had lived in this house from 1898 to 1907, along with his wife Sarah Eleanor Pennington, and her mother Sarah Pennington, and also the couple's newborn only child Helen Melville Smith. Furthermore a maid and a cook occupied the house, and there was a stable boy.

When Ros(i)e came to live in the house she found a series of antique objects dating from c1900, discovered mainly in the attic, and cherished these for some 25 years. In 2012 she wrote a little book (really more like a brochure) about the house and the Smith family: "The Captain, Titanic & Me" (YouCaxton Publications). At one point she had organized tours in and around the house, for tourists, also showcasing the found family belongings. Early 2014 she decided to part from these old objects, and started selling them off (see overview in last image). I managed to get hold of two very interesting pieces: a cigar box and a cigar holder from the later captain of Titanic!

E.J. Smith was born 27 January 1850 and had married Eleanor in 1887. Eleven years later their daughter "Mel" was born and that same year, 1898, they moved to 17 Marine Crescent, Liverpool, being close to the White Star Line docks. After having serviced more than a dozen WSL ships since 1880, from 1895 to 1904 Smith captained Majestic (Majestic 1). Then, 1904-1907, Baltic. In 1907 the WSL head office relocated to Southampton, and subsequently the family did too (however Smith's mother-in-law and also maid and cook continued to live in the Liverpool house). There, from 1907 to 1911 Smith was captain of Adriatic. In 1911 he captained Olympic, and in 1912 her sister ship Titanic. ... more


celtic third class menu card postcard titanic 1912

SS Celtic 'at sea' Third Class menu, mentions building of Titanic

Size (regular postcard size): 8.8 x 14.0 cm (3.5 x 5.5 in)

REALLY QUITE RARE !  NOT TITANIC MENU BUT ANYWAY MENTIONING TITANIC !

Try find another !  Amazing scarce unprecedented specialty collectible !

On board White Star Line vessels, menu cards were printed on a daily basis. Cards preprinted dark blue would then be imprinted black for ship name, date, and menu. This particular Third Class menu card, which would also serve as advertising postcard, was issued at sea on 26 May 1910. On the reverse, third and fourth line, it mentions the building of Olympic and Titanic. At that time, SS Celtic was the first of "The Big Four"; when launched, these were the largest steamships in the world: Celtic (1901), Cedric (1902), Baltic (1903), Adriatic (1907). From these four the later Titanic captain E.J. Smith had captained Baltic and Adriatic. Celtic was launched 1901 and, after a grounding incident, ultimately scrapped 1933-1934. This card would have been more interesting if written on and subsequently posted by a passenger sailing Celtic.

The Third Class menu card for Titanic looked virtually identical, see image nr 4, however with auction result $44,650 (incl. premium); that was at Bonhams, 1 May 2005. If I am correct, that still is the only Third Class menu card known to exist after the sinking disaster. A survivor named Sarah Roth had kept the Titanic menu in her handbag while she was secured by lifeboat "C". 


flywheel hick hargreaves co ltd bolton rppc postcard titanic 1912

10(+1) men and flywheel (spokes still with sand from sand casting?!): Hick, Hargreaves & Co Ltd, Bolton, UK.

Hick, Hargreaves & Co: 12' (3.66 m) flywheel "For Titanic", RPPC

Size: 13.9 x 8.7 cm (5.4 x 3.4 in)

UNSEEN !  MAYBE ENGINE OR PROPULSION COMPONENT, OR JUST BALONEY !

Try find another !  Amazing scarce unprecedented specialty collectible !

[ Article text still to come.] 


decklight bulkhead deck light lamp movie prop 1997 titanic 1912

Movie prop of high quality: sand-cast alumin(i)um, 2-color powder coating, pyrex heat-resistant glass, etc.

Decklight prop reference model, crafted for movie 'Titanic' 1997

Diameter: 27 cm (10.6 in)  Depth: 19 cm (7.5 in) Weight: 3.6 kg (8 lb)

BEDAZZLING RARE 1997 MOVIE ARTIFACT !  STILL NOT SEEN ANY OF OTHER 50 !

Try find another !  Amazing scarce unprecedented specialty collectible !

On board Titanic a so called "deck light" or "bulkhead light" would illuminate decks, promenades and some other locations. Its design (construction) was probably not exclusive but generic; I have seen nearly identical fixtures on photos from other liner companies. Such light was utilized not only for walls but also for ceilings. On Titanic it even was affixed to the stern, perhaps as a beacon, or if you will rear light, and/or for some purpose when docking. When used as a wall fixture the bulb inside and the third "leg" would point downwards, and at the top the power cord would enter the fixture through a thick pipe. In the 20th Century Fox movie "Titanic" (1997) the deck light on the stern was mistakenly attached upside down. Another film production mistake (read: shortcut) was the missing weather shield for the lights on decks and promenades. This shield on the fixture's side directing to the ship's bow was to prevent sea water from spraying into the fixture. Image nr 5 clearly shows such protective shield.

This deck light was developed for the aforementioned Hollywood blockbuster movie (1997), which was written, directed, co-produced and co-edited by Canadian film director James Cameron. When comparing the deck light to the original, seen in photos of Olympic and Titanic, it becomes clear that the objective was not to create a realistic copy. The deviations are most obvious when comparing to the recovered artifact from the debris field (see last image); almost every detail is rather "off" compared to the original deck light. Still, this presumably should not have been a concern, since the movie is in motion continuously and the deck lights are relatively small and sometimes blurred in the background most of the time. Having said all that, it should have been a minor effort to shape the three "legs" more slender and the three "feet" much rounder, instead of somewhat plump as is now. ... more


lifeboat plaque nameplate nameboard sign prop james cameron titanic 1912

At the film set, only 1 side of the ship was built. For port side views special shots were flipped during editing.

Lifeboat reversed nameplate prop, screen used in 'Titanic' 1997

Size: 4.2 x 33.5 cm (1.65 x 13.2 in) Thick: 0.5 cm (0.2 in)

VERY SCARCE !  SALVAGED FROM DUMPED MOVIE SET IN ROSARITO, MEXICO !

Try find another !  Amazing scarce unprecedented specialty collectible !

[ Article text still to come.] 


Thank you for visiting! Till some next time! Titanic forever!

If you, like I, also are interested in (modern) art, then have a look at my brilliant showstopping Karel Appel "CoBrA" movement oil paintings, 1948 and 1950. A thrift store business discovered them as a pair in the attic during a 2010 estate clearance of a deceased very wealthy Dutch widow. Both works are undisputable genuine from the artist (Christiaan Karel Appel, 1921-2006), which is totally evident in all aspects, yet the Karel Appel Foundation (KAF) denied the thrift store owner a Certificate Of Authenticity. KAF not recognizing ("with a doubt"), not acknowledging the paintings as authentic is truly astonishing. So was it anxiety?, jealousy?, bluntness?, arrogance?, disinterest?, superficiality? Personally I think it was a blend of this array of characteristics. Quite ironically, KAF's 'doubt' enabled me to acquire Appel's vibrant expressionist masterpieces from the thrift shop (2016)!  CLICK HERE

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