A rare postcard penned by Richard William Smith, a first-class passenger aboard the Titanic, is set to go up for auction later this month. This moving piece of history, dated April 11, 1912, marks one of the last correspondences written by Smith, a British businessman, just days before the ill-fated ship struck an iceberg and sank, claiming the lives of around 1,500 passengers, including his own.
The postcard, addressed to Mrs. Olive Dakin in Norwich, England, is postmarked at 3:45 p.m. on the day the Titanic made a brief stop in Queenstown, Ireland (now Cobh), en route from Southampton to New York. Smith, who was traveling to America on business, wrote, “Have had a fine run around to Queenstown. Just leaving for the land of stars and stripes.” He signed off with, “Hope you are all quite well at home. Kindest regards, R.W.S.”
Smith entrusted the postcard to a family friend, Mrs. Nicholls, who disembarked in Queenstown, likely posting it on his behalf. This final memento is considered especially rare due to its Cork postmark, the nearest major city to Queenstown.
Andrew Aldridge, managing director of Henry Aldridge & Son, a UK auction house known for Titanic memorabilia, emphasized the postcard’s historical significance, describing it as “a powerful and poignant object.” He explained that while Titanic postcards are naturally rare, this specific artifact captures a moment of anticipation and innocence just days before the ship’s tragic demise.
The postcard is anticipated to sell for up to £10,000 ($12,900) in the “Titanic, White Star and Transport Memorabilia” auction on November 16. This auction is one of two annual events held by Henry Aldridge & Son, based in Devizes, England. In a prior sale in April, the auction house set a record for Titanic memorabilia when it sold a gold watch belonging to John Jacob Astor IV, the wealthiest passenger on board, for £1.175 million ($1.51 million)—ten times its initial estimate.
This postcard offers collectors a deeply personal piece of Titanic history, preserving Smith’s excitement and unwitting farewell before the ship met its tragic fate.