These Priceless Artifacts Sank With The Titanic – But They Weren’t All Lost Forever
In 1912 the “unsinkable” Titanic famously sank beneath the waves and caused the loss of some 1,500 lives. There was also an almost incalculable loss of property and cargo. Some of these items — such as the painting La Circassienne au Bain — were lost forever. But some artifacts, including a high-performance car, five Steinway pianos, and even the world’s most valuable cookie, have since been salvaged from the wreck. How much are they worth? You'll have to read on to find out more about these curious and priceless treasures...
1. Wallace Hartley’s violin
Tragically, musician Wallace Hartley was one of the 1,517 souls who did not survive the sinking of the Titanic. He had previously played his violin aboard another liner: Mauretania. But Hartley had left that job to become the Titanic’s bandmaster. The talent is remembered for leading his band as they played on after the ill-starred ship had crashed into the iceberg.
A valuable violin
Some doubted the authenticity of this instrument when it was discovered in an attic in 2004, though a silver plate attached to the violin was regarded as conclusive. The metal was inscribed with the words, “For Wallace, on the occasion of our engagement, from Maria.” Hartley’s fiancée when he died was Maria Robinson. For its part, the violin was auctioned in England in 2013 and fetched a staggering $1.7 million.
2. Billy Carter’s car
William “Billy” Carter was a wealthy American mining heir and naturally, he traveled first class aboard the Titanic. Accompanying him were his wife Lucile, his French maid, his two children, a Scottish manservant, an English chauffeur, and two dogs: an Airedale and a Pekinese. Quite an entourage, although it’s not especially unusual for a moneyed family of the era. Yet Carter had also brought something else with him: a rich man’s expensive toy.
A luxury French automobile
Packed in a crate in the forward hold was Carter’s Renault Type CB Coupe de Ville — a luxury French automobile. He and his family survived as did the French maid. The valet and chauffeur did not, and nor did the dogs. Of course, the car went down with the ship and Carter later claimed $5,000 in compensation, according to Encyclopedia Titanica. He apparently also lodged a claim of $300 for the canines!
