R.M.S. TITANIC - ROGER BRICOUX ARCHIVE: Important portrait c...

Hammer

£1,300

R.M.S. TITANIC - ROGER BRICOUX ARCHIVE: Important portrait commissioned by Roger's mother Marie. As soon as the sinking of the Titanic hit the front page of every newspaper in the world, the band became legendary. Memorabilia of all types immediately came out including memorial postcards, music sheets, piano sketches, and official posters. Saint-Louis based company Art Publication Society were in charge of producing a souvenir poster presenting the eight musicians who died in the sinking. In May 1912, they contacted the families through the musicians' employers, the Liverpool-based Black Brothers Talent Agency. Six families out of the eight sent a picture of their lost son and a first version of the poster was printed in or around May 1912. Bricoux and another musician were missing from the document. On July 19, 1912, Art Publication Society's secretary Ed. D. Wesson sent a letter to Roger's family in Monaco, 37 rue Grimaldi, to remind them to send a picture of the young cellist. Having no reply from the Bricoux, they contacted the French trade union Confédération des Musiciens, 133 rue de Paris in Colombes (Seine). The Confédération's secretary, M. Seitz, then sent a wireless message to the Bricoux to urge them send a picture to the publisher. Marie-Rose Dherbier, Roger's mother, finally sent a copy of the best picture she had - Roger in the Black Talent Agency's costume. Prior to sending, she commissioned this piece made on thick cardboard. Sold with scans of the letter from the Art Society and telegram from the Confédération des Musiciens and a letter of authenticity from Roger's nephew. 12ins. x 16ins.