R.M.S. TITANIC: Third-Class passengers Carl, Selma, Felix, a...

Hammer

£9,500

R.M.S. TITANIC: Third-Class passengers Carl, Selma, Felix, and Lillian Asplund. The Asplund family Carl and Selma Asplund emigrated to America in 1891/92 and married in 1896. They had five children: Oscar 13, Clarence 9, Lillian 5, Carl Edgar 5, and Felix 3. They moved back to Sweden in 1907 due to family commitments, deciding to return to Worcester, Massachusetts in 1912, having booked passage with the White Star Line to get there. On the night of the disaster the whole family were gathered and according to Selma had decided to die together. They were standing by one of the last lifeboats to leave when suddenly an unknown individual threw Felix and Lillian into the boat. Carl then pushed Selma towards lifeboat number 15, when there was a cry: "Bring the children's mother down!". Before Selma understood what was happening a sailor grabbed her and threw her into the boat. She just had time to see her husband and the three children rush to the other side of the Titanic, to find another lifeboat. In the meantime an unknown man jumped into Selma's boat, he landed awkwardly and in doing so kicked Selma in the face. He then placed his hand over her mouth to prevent her from screaming and thus getting the attention from the sailor in charge. Carl's body was found on 26th April by the Mackay-Bennett but Lillian's twin Carl Edgar and their brothers Oscar and Clarence were never recovered. The family's money that Selma claimed Carl had been carrying was also never found. Selma died on the 15th April 1965, fifty-three years to the day after the sinking and Felix, the third surviving family member, died on the 1st March 1983 aged 73.
Unique 14kt. Gold wedding band worn by Selma Asplund whilst on Titanic, during her rescue and until her death on 15th April 1965. Henry Aldridge and Son originally sold this ring on the 19th April 2008. This is only the second wedding ring from a Titanic passenger that Henry Aldridge have ever offered for sale, an exceptionally rare item.