R.M.S. TITANIC: The Roberta Maioni archive. Roberta was the ...

Hammer

£44,000

R.M.S. TITANIC: The Roberta Maioni archive. Roberta was the maid to the Countess of Rothes and it was quoted in the media in 1999 that her story was one of the inspirations for Rose in James Cameron's blockbuster Titanic. She boarded the Titanic at Southampton, travelling as maid to the Countess of Rothes (ticket number 110152 which cost £86, 10s); also travelling with them was the Countess' cousin Gladys Cherry and whilst aboard she was allocated cabin B79. She later recounted that as the Titanic was departing Southampton she almost collided with another vessel, the New York. Many took this as a bad omen and Roberta also recalled how a large flock of seagulls followed the ship out to sea, this being, she was told, another bad omen. She had no time for superstitions however and instead busied herself caring for her employer and exploring the ship and making new acquaintances.
Unique white enamelled five pointed star metal brooch bearing the name Titanic and engraved on reverse Sank April 15th 1912. This badge was treasured throughout Miss Maioni's life and is offered for auction with a formal photograph of her taken after the sinking wearing the badge. Her story was featured in the Daily Mail in February 1999 "Shortly after the ship set sail the young maid befriended an unnamed steward who is thought to have been in his early 20's, she would never reveal his name" The Daily Mirror 1999 stated that "Amid the panic he calmly led her to the side of the ship pressing a small love token into her hand - a white star shaped brooch engraved with the name Titanic, the sweethearts were to never see each other again". One of the most emotive pieces of Titanic memorabilia that we have ever had the privilege of selling, the badge has been on exhibition at the World's Largest Titanic museum in Branson, United States , prior Miottel Museum, Henry Aldridge and Son February 1999 and previous via direct descent.
Family lore states that Roberta and a young crewman became fond of each other during the voyage, his identity has never been discovered, for whatever reason Roberta took it to her grave, but he gave her a five star white enamel badge with "Titanic" on it. She also made the acquaintance of an older man whom she didn't name and had taken a paternal interest in her. The man, travelling alone, appeared to be lonely and on the evening of Sunday 14 April, she met him again in the lounge where the orchestra were playing tunes such as Ave Maria and Nearer my God to Thee. He was full of foreboding which made Roberta uncomfortable; at around 10 o'clock she tried to excuse herself for bed but he pleaded with her to stay. She eventually managed to get to bed and never saw the man again.
Roberta was in bed at the time of the collision and related how she felt the impact. A steward soon appeared at her door, telling her 'Miss we have struck an iceberg, but I don't think there's any danger. Should there be I'll come back and let you know.' She returned to bed to try to get back to sleep but the same steward returned, asking her not to be afraid but to dress and put on her lifejacket and go out on deck. Roberta was rescued in lifeboat 8 alongside her employer the Countess of Rothes and Gladys Cherry. After their arrival in New York on board the Carpathia the party stayed at the Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue. Whilst there Roberta wrote an emotionally charged poem titled "The unlisted passenger" where she refers to the folly of extra speed over safety. Meanwhile, news of the tragedy slowly filtered through to Roberta's family at Manor Farm in Surrey. Her sisters were walking to the village when they were told the news and when they raced home and told their mother Adelaide the news, she fainted.
When Roberta was reunited with her family, her once beautiful hair was reportedly in tatters, much of it torn and pulled as she caught it while taking her turn rowing the lifeboat. In 1926 she wrote a personal account of her experience on the Titanic for a short story competition run by the Daily Express (see lot number 256). She was married in St Matthew's Church, Brixton, London on 24 May 1919 to Cunliffe Lawrence Bolling and died in 1963.
Biographical Information courtesy Encyclopedia Titanica www.encyclopedia-titanica.org