The poster is so rare because White Star Line destroyed as many as they could find after the fateful maiden voyage of the infamous ship.
The poster actually features an image of the Olympic, the Titanic’s sister ship that was often used for promotional material, as well as an interior view of a Third Class cabin and the Third Class dining facility.
The poster will be offered at Henry Aldridge & Son of Devizes which has for many years specialised in the sale of such material. It will be estimated at £60,000–80,000 at the October 20 sale.
“Only handful of these posters exist”
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said: “It is believed only a handful of these posters exist today, either in museums or private collections, one of which was on display at the Victoria & Albert Museum most recent exhibition ‘Speed and Style’.”
The example for sale is presented in a period oak frame with fold marks and in original unrestored condition.
Aldridge added: “The Titanic’s fateful maiden voyage was a seminal event in 20th century history. A prevailing presumption of invincibility (unsinkability) amongst the liner’s owners, builders and operators meant that the ship held a shortage of lifeboats, maintained high speeds in an attempt to make an Atlantic crossing record and disregarded iceberg warnings, all of which played a part in the disaster which claimed the lives of over 1,500 of the 2,206 passengers and crew on board.”
