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Last Titanic survivor sells mementos to pay bills
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by francisrivera | October 17, 2008 at 02:42 am
1266 views | 29 Recommendations | 22 comments
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Have you ever experienced that you had something really old with you but no matter what happened you still keep hold of that "very special" thing. I call these things "priceless".
It is sad when a 96 year old Granny sells things that she cherishes just to go on with life. And she is no ordinary old lady, she's the last remaining survivor of the historical "unsinkable ship."
The last remaining survivor of the Titanic has been forced to sell her mementoes from the liner to help pay for her nursing home fees.
Millvina Dean, who was a two-month-old baby when the ship sank in 1912, is to auction off items including a suitcase filled with the clothes given to her family by the people of New York when they arrived in America after being rescued.
She is also to part with compensation letters sent to her mother by the Titanic Relief Fund and rare artists-inscribed prints of the ship.
Miss Dean's family were in the process of emigrating to the US to live in Kansas when the Titanic went down. As 1,517 passengers and crew died around her, she was placed in a sack and carried to safety. Her mother and brother also survived but her father, Bertram, was killed.
She has been the last living survivor of the Titanic since last year when Barbara Dainton, from Cornwall, died aged 96.
Miss Dean, 96, is hoping to raise some £3,000 from the sale after finding herself unable to cope with the cost of her nursing home in Ashurst, Hants. She has been resident in the private home for two years after breaking her hip.
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at 02:59 on October 17th, 2008
sad story.
at 03:07 on October 17th, 2008
Thanks for the flag Nagba. I wish the government would give her more attention.
at 03:21 on October 17th, 2008
This is how the Daily Mirror described Millvina on May 12, 1912, on the way back to England: "She was the pet of the liner during the voyage, and so keen was the rivalry between women to nurse this lovable mite of humanity that one of the officers decreed that first and second class passengers might hold her in turn for no more than ten minutes!"
It's so sad Millvina never married, she has no children nor grandchildren to support her and care about her.. Her mother and brother are gone long ago. Poor creature, I hope she manages to raise the money and live the rest of her life healthy and untroubled.
at 03:09 on October 17th, 2008
Good story, indeed :)
at 03:16 on October 17th, 2008
Thanks ferryca...
The sad thing bout a public figure sometimes is that they are forgotten when they get old. To think that it's this crucial times that they need us most.
at 03:14 on October 17th, 2008
francisrivera, I like this story. It's good stuff.
does this turn out to be so important only because it is the possesion of titanic surviver, the whole industry of precious item based auction is going to fail .
at 03:24 on October 17th, 2008
Thanks Amitjha...
Well, If the "auction people" have that bit of mercy. I suggest they don't let her auction her stuff.
Instead help her with her needs and let her keep her treasured memories.
at 03:34 on October 17th, 2008
At least this is the only thing this old woman could do. She has nothing else more precious to give to prolong her lifetime. And this makes it an important news: a woman, who is the only living survivor from a huge tragedy in the past century, is now selling pieces of it in order to survive another tragedy - the one of the society, which "consumed" her as an attraction the last 96 years, then left her behind.
at 05:44 on October 17th, 2008
I agree with that ferryca.
at 04:12 on October 17th, 2008
This is sad, but then it is just stuff she is selling. That she survived the disaster was the important part. The pity is she wasn't able to trade it to a museum for support. Her story is part of the culture and it would be nice if it were totally available for all of us to partake in.
at 04:16 on October 17th, 2008
I was thinking the same thing Mikasi. Thanks for the comment.
at 05:22 on October 17th, 2008
francisrivera, I like this story. It's sad, but at least she will make use of the money now that she's still alive.Obviously she's alone, so what would happen to those mementos once she dies? I do hope someone's heart is touched and helps her though .
at 05:32 on October 17th, 2008
Pat thanks for the read, the GS and most specially for showing your concern.
at 05:33 on October 17th, 2008
francisrivera, I like this story. It's good stuff. I would agree that this story probably requires a second look. Thanks to Johnny too for the link to yesterday's story.
at 05:36 on October 17th, 2008
Thanks Rhonda! And may I also say that Johnny did a good job providing that link. Thanks guys!
at 05:38 on October 17th, 2008
You are very welcome, francisrivera!
at 05:40 on October 17th, 2008
:)
at 07:46 on October 17th, 2008
francisrivera, I like this story. It's good stuff but sad.
at 12:44 on October 17th, 2008
Thanks for the flag Babel-Fish.
at 19:44 on November 11th, 2008
How do I purchase Millvina Deans mementoes that she is selling? I went on ebay but all I found were postcards that she has signed.. I would like to purchase something that could be returned to her.
at 20:54 on November 11th, 2008
You may try Henry Aldridge & Son Auctioneers
Address:
Unit 1 / Bath Rd Business Centre
Bath Road, Devizes
Wiltshire SN10 1XA
Tel: 01380729199
Fax: 01380730073
Do hope your deed is re payed one day! Thanks!
at 20:43 on November 11th, 2008
I have not cried this much since I first met Robert Oppenhiemer.
Very beautiful and touching story. Thank you so much for this !!