R.M.S. TITANIC: One of the rarest medals relating to the Tit...

Hammer

£30,000

R.M.S. TITANIC: One of the rarest medals relating to the Titanic story in existence today.
A Gold Carpathia medal, Stamped 14K, Obv. R.M.S. Carpathia coming to the aid of R.M.S. Titanic's lifeboats amidst a sea of icebergs, the scene framed by King Neptune's head and beard at the top, the cartouche closed by crossed fouled anchor and hailing trumpet motif at the bottom. Rev. Below a loop the engraved inscription ``Presented to Mr. E. Hy. Hughes R.M.S. Carpathia by the Rescued Survivors of the ill fated ``Titanic'' 14 April 1912.'' The medal has been polished and an earlier mount removed from the back (without disturbing the inscription). The original notion of honouring their rescuers in some tangible fashion was conceived of by the better off survivors, themselves. Soon after their rescue, and while some of them were still wondering about where their next change of clothes would be found, a committee of the rescued was formed to come up with some suitable token of the gratitude they felt for their safe return from the ocean. When R.M.S. Carpathia steamed into New York harbour on April 18th the committee members went to work. Deciding on a gold medal for the senior officers, a silver medal for junior officers and bronze for the crew. The unique Tiffany loving cup commissioned for the captain was sold by Henry Aldridge and Son for £130000.
The committee engaged the New York medallists Dieges and Clust to design and produce the medals, when R.M.S. Carpathia returned to New York on her next round trip, on May 29, the awards were ready. Six of her officers were honoured with gold medals at the ceremony in New York City held on the very morning of her arrival. Margaret ``Unsinkable Molly'' Brown (described as ``une madame formidable'') made the formal presentation of the six gold medals, including one to Evan Henry Hughes, Chief Steward of R.M.S. Carpathia. Hughes's captain Arthur Rostron received the loving cup. Since the vast majority of the other known Titanic-Carpathia medals are unnamed and have a different relief inscription, it is believed that Mr. Hughes had the back of his medal planed down and a customized inscription engraved on it. It is interesting to note that the famous photograph of the rescuers, taken after the May 29, 1912 presentation ceremony, shows Captain Rostron with his loving cup but none of his officers appear to be wearing their medals. Hughes also received the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society's silver medal which was offered by Henry Aldridge and Son in 2019. 15.0 grams. Wide oval, 39.2 x 35.0 mm.
Ex Stacks Auctioneers Lot 949 March 2001. Stacks are widely regarded as one of the leading auctioneers and authorities in the field of Coins and Medals in the United States.