Description
A blueprint of the Titanic used in the investigation of the ship's sinking in 1912 could sell for more than £200,000 when it goes up for auction. The 33-foot (10 m) cross-section plan was commissioned by the British Board of Trade to help with the 36-day investigation. The extraordinary map was used by witnesses and experts to establish the cause of the tragedy, and even contains original chalk marks that show what happened.
The huge drawing, which was mounted on linen, was so essential to the investigation that it was displayed in the official courtroom for constant reference by witnesses.
The hand-drawn plan of the Titanic was prepared by White Star Line architects for the 1912 British inquiry into the ship's sinking, just weeks after the disaster.
It allowed the 96 witnesses called to testify to point to different parts of the ship using a pointer.
After the investigation concluded that the loss of the ship was caused by "excessive speed", the single plan was returned to White Star.
In 2011 it was bought by a private collector for £220,000, which was then a world record for Titanic memorabilia.
Since 2012 it has been on public display in Belfast and has been viewed by several million people.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge, of Henry Aldridge & Son, said: "This lot represents what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a unique and historically significant part of Titanic history for which period images exist in situ.
“It is a magnificent and imposing piece, both historically and visually, and dwarfs anything we have seen on the Titanic market in terms of size.
"It has been on display at Titanic Belfast since 2012 and has been seen and enjoyed by many millions during that time, most importantly it has undergone an extensive archival stabilization process."
The plan will go on sale on April 22 at Henry Aldridge and Son Ltd in Devizes, Wiltshire.
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