R.M.S. OLYMPIC/TITANIC - ORIGINAL DRAFT CHAPTER FROM HOME FR...

Estimate

£3,000 - £5,000

R.M.S. OLYMPIC/TITANIC - ORIGINAL DRAFT CHAPTER FROM HOME FROM THE SEA, SIGNED BY CAPTAIN ROSTRON: Captain Arthur Henry ("A.H.") Rostron of the Cunard liner Carpathia was one of the true heroes of Titanic's story. It was his swift actions that night which led to Carpathia picking up the survivors of the sinking from the lifeboats. Rostron retired from the sea in 1931 and wrote his autobiography entitled Home from the Sea, original copies of which are highly sought after today. While captain, Rostron had a long and interesting career, the portion of the book on Titanic in particular makes for an interesting read. During the Titanic survivor voyage, Rostron befriended Carpathia passengers Louis and Augusta Ogden who were residents of New York. Rostron likely asked the Ogdens to review the chapter from his book entitled America & England before publication and sent it to them. Following its publication, he boldly signed the chapter "A.H. Rostron" at the conclusion adding, "Home from the Sea" below his signature and also at the top of the first page, and sent it to the Ogdens as a memento. There are handwritten changes throughout, possibly by Mrs. Ogden. The pages are bound by a rusted clip which appears to be original. The chapter is nineteen pages long, with each page measuring 7ins. x 10ins. This draft is not a mimeographed reproduction or a copy. It is Rostron's own unique typed draft. We are aware of no other drafts of any other chapters in existence. Finding an original copy of the published book in good condition is a prize. It goes without saying that an original chapter from which the book was published, signed by the author, is exceedingly desirable. Plus a black and white engraving of Rostron titled A.H. Rostron H.M.S. Berengeria 1926. 9ins. x 12ins. Provenance: Descendants of Louis and Augusta Ogden, passengers on the Carpathia who witnessed the rescue of the Titanic's surviving passengers and crew.