Auction Date:2012 Dec 16 @ 10:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
A stunning cobalt blue demitasse cup and saucer designated for the Titanic. This is an extremely rare set believed to have been destined for the first class a la carte restaurant on-board Titanic. Both the bottom of the saucer is labeled “Stonier & Co. Liverpool, Spode Copeland’s China, England, R4332, Rd No. 580303, White Star Line, ” and bottom of cup is labeled “Rd No. 580303, Spode Copeland’s China, England, White Star Line.”
This pattern is arguably the most opulent design ever featured on any White Star Line china. Similar china bearing the identical registration number was recovered from Titanic’s wreck site in 1987. (See p. 99 Titanic: The Exhibition (Lithograph Publishing Company, 1997). Although the general practice was for china to be interchangeable amongst White Star Line ships, the exquisite pattern of these pieces, coupled with the fact that very few similar pieces have surfaced, suggests that that this pattern was reserved for exclusive use on Titanic, possibly in the a la carte restaurant or VIP service. Clearly if it had been used on Titanic’s sister ship Olympic, many more pieces would have surfaced given Olympic’s long career. A similar, yet less opulent and more common pattern of china was assigned Registration No. 4331 and may have been used as limited service aboard Olympic.
The few pieces of this pattern to have come to market have been attributed to presentation pieces (ref. Southampton maritime Museum, Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom) or to pieces either from, or destined for use, on Titanic. What is amazing here is that rather than just the saucer or cup, this lot consists of the demitasse cup and saucer set. The interlocking letters “OSNC” on the saucer stand for Oceanic Steam Navigation Company, White Star Line’s parent company.
White Star Line was known for its luxurious appointments on board its ships. This china represents the best of the best. The unusually exquisite cobalt blue color is so richly blue it practically leaps from the pattern. Imagine the look on the faces of those who see it when they learn it was produced for Titanic herself, and not the film! This set could easily become the pinnacle of any collection of shipboard table ware, bar none.
Additional References: p.31 Titanic: Touchstones of a Tragedy by Steve Santini (Writers Club Press 2000); p.54 Titanic: An Illustrated History by Don Lynch and Ken Marschall (Hyperion 1992); http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/cup-saucer-from-titanic.html; http://marconigraph.com/titanic/china/mgy_china.html
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
Previewing Details:
Visit www.RRAuction.com
Buyer's Premiums:
From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
0.00 |
Infinite |
20% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Up to $100 $10.00
$101-$500 $15.00
$501-$1,000 $20.00
$1,001-$3,000 $35.00
$3,000-$10,000 $45.00
Over $10,000 $100.00
Payment Details:
Paypal address: mandy@rrauction.com
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- Discover
- Money Order/Bank Draft
- Check/Cheque
- PayPal
Buyer’s Premium
RR Auction charges a 20% premium to the buyer on the final bid price of each lot sold. Please note that a 2.5% convenience fee will be added to purchases processed by credit card or PayPal. For more detailed information refer to the Payment section below.