This violin was unsinkable.
A rosewood violin played by bandmaster Wallace Hartley on the Titanic deck as the ship sank has been confirmed as authentic by investigators, and could soon be brought to auction.
The cracked, water-damaged instrument is easily one of the most significant artifacts from the century-old tragedy.
Hartley led seven other band members in hymns to calm passengers as they lined up for lifeboats.
He and the other musicians went down with the ship while performing “Nearer, My God, To Thee.”
“It is the most important artifact relating to the Titanic to ever emerge, and probably the most valuable.”
It’s worth six figures, and will likely be sold in the near future. For now, however, it will be exhibited in the town of Devizes, in Wiltshire, England.
The instrument was found inside a leather valise, engraved with Hartley’s initials, that was strapped to his body.
The violin, an engagement gift from Hartley’s fiancée, Maria Robinson, was submerged in the salt water for 10 days, until his body was recovered.
After Robinson died, her sister donated the valise, with the violin and Hartley’s cigarette case and gold ring, to the Salvation Army.
From there, it was given to a music teacher, who then gave it to another amateur musician, the mother of the current seller.
Her son — the current, anonymous owner — found the cracked violin in her attic in 2006.
Philadelphia lawyer Craig Sopin, 55, who owns the largest collection of Titanic memorabilia, said he’s interested in buying the relic.
“I am satisfied that it is the violin that was on the deck of the Titanic,” he said.
Hartley’s jewelry and cigarette case will be auctioned next month, also in Devizes.
It will also go on display at the end of the month at Belfast City Hall in Northern Ireland, where the Titanic was built.
A rosewood violin played by bandmaster Wallace Hartley on the Titanic deck as the ship sank has been confirmed as authentic by investigators, and could soon be brought to auction.
The cracked, water-damaged instrument is easily one of the most significant artifacts from the century-old tragedy.
Hartley led seven other band members in hymns to calm passengers as they lined up for lifeboats.
He and the other musicians went down with the ship while performing “Nearer, My God, To Thee.”
Phil Yeomans/BNPS
‘BOW’ FIRST: Titanic bandmaster Wallace Hartley’s violin and case (above) were found strapped to his body 10 days after the ship sank.
“It is the most important artifact relating to the Titanic to ever emerge, and probably the most valuable.”
It’s worth six figures, and will likely be sold in the near future. For now, however, it will be exhibited in the town of Devizes, in Wiltshire, England.
The instrument was found inside a leather valise, engraved with Hartley’s initials, that was strapped to his body.
The violin, an engagement gift from Hartley’s fiancée, Maria Robinson, was submerged in the salt water for 10 days, until his body was recovered.
After Robinson died, her sister donated the valise, with the violin and Hartley’s cigarette case and gold ring, to the Salvation Army.
From there, it was given to a music teacher, who then gave it to another amateur musician, the mother of the current seller.
Her son — the current, anonymous owner — found the cracked violin in her attic in 2006.
Philadelphia lawyer Craig Sopin, 55, who owns the largest collection of Titanic memorabilia, said he’s interested in buying the relic.
“I am satisfied that it is the violin that was on the deck of the Titanic,” he said.
Hartley’s jewelry and cigarette case will be auctioned next month, also in Devizes.
It will also go on display at the end of the month at Belfast City Hall in Northern Ireland, where the Titanic was built.
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