More than a century after the sinking of the Titanic, a set of personal belongings owned by Frederick Sutton, a first-class passenger who died in the tragedy, will be auctioned.
The auction includes items found with the businessman's body, pieces that survived the waters of the North Atlantic and today reach figures exceeding 100,000 dollars. The sale will take place on November 22.
La subasta incluye elementos hallados junto al cuerpo del empresario
Who was Frederick Sutton?
Sutton was 62 years old and had amassed a significant fortune in the United States after working in real estate and holding positions in banks and companies. Although he was born in England, he settled in New Jersey, where he started his family and developed his career.
In March 1912, his doctor recommended a sea voyage to treat a never-disclosed health condition. That advice led him to travel to Great Britain and, to return, purchase a ticket on the Titanic.
The last voyage: his time on the Titanic
Sutton boarded the ship on April 12, 1912 in Southampton. He paid 32 pounds, 6 shillings, and 5 pence for ticket number 36963, which placed him in cabin D-50.
¿Quién era Frederick Sutton?
A survivor stated that Sutton was in his room when the impact with the iceberg occurred, but later reconstructions indicate that he managed to board a lifeboat. However, his delicate health condition may have worsened after the disaster, which would explain why he died before reaching land.
The recovery of the body and what he left behind
Sutton's body was recovered by the ship MacKay Bennett, hired to retrieve the remains that were left floating after the tragedy. He was buried at sea on April 22. His belongings arrived in a burlap bag identified as No. 46, a piece that is now being auctioned with a starting price of 27,617 dollars.
La lista de pasajeros de primera clase que Sutton llevaba consigo
The bag, yellowed by the passage of time, is one of the most desired pieces in the lot. According to the auction house, it could reach values close to 59,179 dollars.
The treasure that survived the Titanic
Among the most valuable objects is the first-class passenger list that Sutton carried with him. The piece, with visible marks from having been submerged, was restored by professionals. Its starting price is 39,453 dollars and it is expected to reach 105,208 dollars.
