10 of the Most Valuable Titanic Artifacts Ever Recovered
The RMS Titanic’s tragic sinking in 1912 has captivated the world for over a century, leaving behind a legacy of heartbreak and intrigue. But amid the wreckage, many artifacts have been recovered over the years. From personal keepsakes to fragments of the ship itself, these items have become historical relics that tell the story of those aboard the ill-fated voyage. Many have also fetched astonishing prices at auction (think millions), proving that the world’s fascination with Titanic artifacts is as enduring as Rose’s love for Jack. Here’s a closer look at 10 of the most valuable artifacts ever pulled from the depths of the ocean.
1. Wallace Hartley’s Violin
Owned by Wallace Hartley (the band leader who famously played as the ship sank), this violin is one of the most poignant items recovered from the Titanic. In 2013, it sold for a staggering $1.7 million at auction, making it one of the most expensive Titanic artifacts ever sold. Though Hartley’s body was recovered shortly after the sinking with the violin case still strapped to his back, the violin itself wasn’t found until 2006. It was then authenticated through saltwater deposit testing in England.
2. A First-Class Menu
Dated April 12, 1912, this menu offers a glimpse into the lavish meals enjoyed by the Titanic’s first-class passengers. Though “heavily water-stained” and missing part of its lettering, it sold for over $102,000 at auction in 2023. The menu featured dishes like oysters, sirloin of beef with horseradish cream, and desserts like Victoria pudding and ice cream.
3. A Lifejacket
One of the few surviving lifejackets, this “blood-stained, oily” vest sold for £34,000 ($44,000) at auction in 2008. The cork-filled jacket, torn in places, is thought to be one of only six lifejackets still in existence from the doomed ocean liner. It now serves as a haunting reminder of the limited number of life-saving devices aboard a ship that was once deemed “unsinkable.”
4. John Chapman’s Pocket Watch
Belonging to passenger John Chapman, who drowned alongside his wife, Lizzie, this pocket watch was recovered with its hands forever frozen in time. The timepiece serves as a chilling reminder of the tragedy and the terrifying final moments of those fighting for their lives in the icy waters of the Atlantic. The couple was on their honeymoon when disaster struck.
5. A Key to the Crow’s Nest Locker
This key unlocked the crow’s nest locker, where the ship’s binoculars were stored. It was accidentally left in the pocket of an officer who was transferred off the Titanic just days before its maiden voyage. In his haste, he forgot to hand it over to his replacement, resulting in lookouts having to rely solely on the naked eye to spot dangers ahead. The key’s discovery sparked debates about whether it could have prevented the ship from striking the iceberg had it not been misplaced. (Talk about fumbling on the job.) In 2007, it sold for £90,000 (about $116,000) at auction.
6. A Letter Written on Titanic Stationery
Penned by first-class passenger Alexander Oskar Holverson to his mother, this unsent letter was written just one day before the Titanic’s demise. In 2017, it sold for £126,000 (about $163,000) at auction. The three-page letter, which was written on White Star Line stationery, describes the ship’s grandeur and Holverson’s excitement, making its survival all the more bittersweet. “If all goes well, we’ll arrive in New York on Wednesday,” the letter read. Oh, the tragic irony.
7. A Deck Chair
One of the few surviving deck chairs from the Titanic sold for £85,000 (about $110,000) at auction in 2015. The Nantucket wooden chair, which once graced the first-class promenade deck of the ocean liner, offered a rare and tangible connection to the ship’s luxurious amenities, said auctioneer Andrew Aldridge. “The sale price reflected not only the importance of the deck chair as a relic from the Titanic but also the ongoing interest in the liner 103 years after her demise,” he added.
8. John Jacob Astor’s Pocket Watch
This gold Waltham pocket watch belonged to John Jacob Astor, an affluent businessman and one of the richest passengers to perish in the tragedy. The watch, forever stopped in time by the icy waters, was recovered from his body and eventually returned to his family. In 2024, the vintage watch fetched $1.1 million at auction, selling for six times over the asking price.
9. A Piece of the Ship’s Hull
Known as the “Big Piece,” this massive 15-ton section of the Titanic’s hull is on display at the “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” in Las Vegas. As one of the largest artifacts ever recovered from a shipwreck, it offers a unique look at the ship’s structure. Recovered in 1998 from the ocean floor, the fragment was salvaged after an initial unsuccessful attempt in 1996. The exhibition also features more than 350 artifacts and meticulous recreations of the ship’s interior.
10. Plan of the Titanic
This 32-foot-long plan used during the 1912 British Board of Trade inquiry into the ship’s sinking sold for £220,000 (about $284,000) at auction in 2011. The detailed schematic provided a comprehensive overview of the vessel’s layout, aiding investigators in understanding the circumstances of the disaster. It set a world record for Titanic memorabilia at the time.