R.M.S. TITANIC: First-Class White Star Line tartan deck blan...

Hammer

£76,000

R.M.S. TITANIC: First-Class White Star Line tartan deck blanket from R.M.S. Titanic recovered from a Titanic lifeboat circa 1912 woven in green/brown/russet tartan with a bold red check, the reverse navy blue with bold cream and pale red check and embroidered White Star logo in one corner. Provenance Bonhams Knightsbridge lot 7 April 1999 and previously given to the vendor's mother by Frederick Toppin (1868-1941). Mr Toppin joined White Star in 1885, transferring to New York in 1892. He rose to being in charge of the Operating Department in 1910 and in 1912 was Assistant General Manager in New York, then Vice President of the company in 1917.
Following the disaster the responsibility of dealing with government officers and lawyers fell upon White Star's General Manager Philip A.S. Franklin, while Frederick Toppin arranged help for the surviving passengers. The sinking of the great ship precipitated a serious public relations crisis for White Star. Facing fierce criticism over the controversy of lifeboats filled only to half capacity and favouritism of First-Class passengers, great steps were required to remedy the situation. Philip A.S. Franklin's most important priority after the disaster was to shield Bruce Ismay, the surviving Chairman, from the U.S Government's enquiries which began immediately, as well as from the Press. Toppin took on the responsibility for looking after the needs of survivors. When Cunard's rescue ship Carpathia docked in New York, Frederick Toppin was at the pier to ensure the Titanic survivors found shelter and medical attention. It is at this point he acquired the blanket. The Third-Class passengers hoping to make a fresh start in the New World particularly needed White Star's assistance as they arrived in New York with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. White Star staff provided lodgings and stipends to assist the welfare of the survivors of the disaster.
The original catalogue description stated that Mr Toppin's sister recalled that he often sat and thought about the events of the 14th April 1912 and 'shed many a tear'. Toppin said on one occasion 'I lost so many friends on the Titanic'.
During the First World War Toppin was the Director of Shipping in New York for the British Government. He refused a Knighthood stating 'The boys in the trenches had done far more for Britain than he had.' In 1919 he returned to his White Star duties and remained Vice President and Director until 1932. Previously Toppin also served as Chairman of The Committee of Steamship Liner Representatives for 15 years. Following his retirement he returned to his native Lake District, living at Musgrave Hall, Skelton near Penrith with his sisters. The previous vendor's father was the Toppin family farm manager during the 1920s. Toppin offered to secure his elder brother a place in the Pursers Department with White Star and later a second brother joined White Star (by then merged with its rival and operating as Cunard-White Star). In 1937 he gave the blanket to the present vendor's mother and it remained in the family until it was sold by Bonhams in 1999.
This is quite simply one of the rarest three dimensional objects we have seen, having not only been onboard Titanic and possibly used alongside a Titanic deckchair to warm the occupant but saved in a lifeboat, then travelled on the Carpathia to New York. Approximately 59ins. x 59ins.