R.M.S. TITANIC: An exceptional handwritten postcard postmark...

Hammer

£5,000

R.M.S. TITANIC: An exceptional handwritten postcard postmarked 11pm 9th April 1912 sent by Second-Class passenger Jacob Christian Milling (1863-1912). Milling was one of thirteen Danes aboard the Titanic on the ship's fateful maiden voyage across the Atlantic. He was employed at "Sydfyenske Jernbaner" (Southern Fyn Railways) and highly respected for his knowledge and his ability to construct locomotive parts. In 1912, he was granted leave for a two-month paid study tour in the United States.
Milling wrote the postcard to his wife, Augusta, and it was sent just prior to Milling's departure, where he was waiting with excitement in his hotel room at the South Western Hotel in Southampton with a view of the mighty ship from his window. It most probably was the last thing he wrote to her. The postcard reads:
"Dear Augusta! This is the last thing you will hear from me from this side of the Atlantic. I may send a wireless if it is not too expensive. I am staying at Banen's Hotel, it's not cheap but comfortable. From my window, I can see the ship in the dock. How are the old folks? Send them and the children my greetings. Many greetings to all of you. From Jacob."
A few days later (14th April) he sent the "Wireless" telegram mentioned in the postcard from the ship. He stated in a pre-arranged code (ABANAPAS) that everything was fine: "All is well, calm weather, the ship is fine, I am enjoying myself, good travel companions, a wonderful trip". The telegram reached Augusta at the couple's address in Odense only a few hours after Milling had perished in the ice- cold Atlantic Ocean. Milling was found by the C.S. Mackay-Bennett, body #271 and taken to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, from where his remains were sent home via Boston on board the C.F. Tietgen on 16th May 1912. Jacob Milling was buried at the Assistens Cemetery in the centre of Copenhagen on 3rd June 1912. A superb piece on numerous levels.