This standard enamel souvenir was bought before, or during, the Titanic’s voyage and presented by a surviving member of the ship’s crew to the granddaughter of the White Star Line’s marine superintendent in Southampton, Benjamin Steel.
The badge, consigned by descendants to the auction, may not have been blessed with the sort of detailed romantic story which helped a White Star brooch to £17,500 at the auctioneers’ sale of Titanic memorabilia in March this year, but with a watertight provenance and Anglo-American insignia, this badge attracted sufficient interest from US collectors to rate £11,000.
Titanic badge surfaces at £11,000
UK: LURKING in the depths of a maritime sale at Henry Aldridge & Son (10 per cent buyer’s premium) in Devizes, Wiltshire, on July 21, was this badge, the most expensive Edwardian badge ever sold at auction.
