The Titanic Collection: Mementos of the Maiden Voyage

Brewster, Hugh

ISBN 10: 0811820521 ISBN 13: 9780811820523

Publisher: Chronicle Books, 1998

Synopsis

The tragedy of the Titanic is chillingly present in the details: that the sea was calm and the night moonless; that the orchestra played "Songe d'Automne" as the icy water rose. Drawn from the archives of the Titanic Historical Society, The Titanic Collection uses real documents authentically reproduced to paint a riveting portrait of life on board. Reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century steamer trunk, this deluxe box contains more than 18 items, including the boarding pass of a man who missed the sailing, a brochure reviewing the amenities and civilities of the first class, deck maps, luggage stickers, postcards sent from the ship, and replicas of three tragic telegrams: the warning of icebergs ahead, the Titanic's distress call, and the heartrending announcement of the disaster. The Titanic Collection also includes a fact-filled booklet and timeline. Few will want to resist a closer look at the utterly compelling items in The Titanic Collection.

About this title

Review

This is not a book but a sturdy, miniature cardboard replica of a steamer trunk such as one that might have gone down on Titanic, complete with mock-metal triangular corner protectors. Inside, there is a trove of reproductions of memorabilia from the Titanic Historical Society to wow anybody fascinated by the shipwreck: a first-class ticket; a "radiotelegramm" from the ship Amerika four hours before the disaster warning of icebergs; the fancy brochure passengers got; the orchestra's repertoire (including "Songe d'Automne," the last tune played); maps of each deck; menus (including that of the last night's fare--not very health-conscious food, actually); adhesive luggage stickers you can apply to your suitcase; reproductions of Titanic postcards--some with greetings that were delivered, some blank and suitable for mailing; a booklet of notes on all the luxuries available to first-class passengers; and a list of all first-class passengers to reassure one of one's high social standing. An irresistible box redolent of another era. --Tim Appelo

About the Author

Eric Sauder has been interested in ocean liners for over three decades and his first job was as a tour guide on board the RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach, California.  Because of his knowledge of passenger ships of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Eric was asked to act as historian for his explorations of the remains of the Cunard liner Lusitania and White Star's Britannic (sister ship of Titanic). He has dived to the wrecks of both of these liners, and it was his close involvement with these expeditions and the analysis of the thousands of still images and hundreds of hours of footage that gave him a unique insight and knowledge of these two great lost ships. Among the other expeditions Eric has been involved with are those to the wrecks of Titanic, Republic, and Andrea Doria.

Hugh Brewster a Toronto editor and writer, is author of Inside the Titanic .

Edition details

• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0811820521
• ISBN 13: 9780811820523
• Binding: Misc. Supplies
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 38