A poster of the Titanic has sold at auction for a staggering £60,000 – after a fierce battle by collectors at auction.
An unnamed American bought the rare lithographic picture of the ill-fated Titanic and her sister ship the RMS Olympic, after a hard-fought telephone bidding war.
The poster was produced by acclaimed marine artist Montague Black.
A postcard written onboard the Titanic by a third-class passenger – who died along with all nine members of her family – fetched £12,000 at the auction.
The postcard was sent by Eliza Johnston and described how excited she and the six children in her party were to be on the famous liner.
It was posted at Queenstown, Ireland, three days before the Titanic struck an iceberg and sunk – killing 1,520 people.
Memorabilia from the White Star liner went under the hammer at Henry Aldridge and Son, in Devizes, Wilts., on Saturday.
A collector from Eastern Europe paid £20,000 for a harrowing affidavit from Laura Mabel Francatelli, maid to Sir Cosmo and Lady Duff Gordon, detailing the sinking.
Lady Duff Gordon, a leading fashion designer, was one of the most high-profile Titanic survivors.
Another collector in Ireland paid £14,000 for a photograph of survivors aboard the RMS Carpathia, after they had been rescued.