R.M.S. TITANIC: EXTRAORDINARILY RARE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH OF ...

Hammer

£6,600

R.M.S. TITANIC: EXTRAORDINARILY RARE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH OF TITANIC CHIEF WIRELESS OPERATOR JOHN GEORGE "JACK" PHILLIPS IN MARCONI UNIFORM WITH PHOTOGRAPHER'S MOUNT
An original rare matte-finish silver gelatin photo of Titanic's senior wireless operator who died in the sinking, circa 1910. The mount bears the photographer's imprint of Jennie Stedman, Melrose Studio, Farncombe [Godalming, Surrey, England]. A chest-length stately image of the dapper Phillips depicted in his Marconi uniform, arms crossed holding a pair of uniform gloves in one hand. The distinctive "M" [Marconi] is visible on his cap.
Phillips was born in Farncombe in 1887 and began his career in telegraphy working at the local post office in 1902. Having later worked on other White Star Line ships, he was assigned to Titanic for her maiden voyage as an employee of the Marconi Company. After Titanic hit the iceberg he and the junior wireless operator Harold Bride worked tirelessly sending out distress signals. If it were not for their unyielding efforts, rescue ships would not have been alerted to Titanic's need for assistance. Yet, despite Phillips' pivotal role in Titanic's story, very little relating to him has come into collectors' hands.
Little is generally known about the photographer Jennie Stedman. It was unusual, if not unheard of, for a woman to be in that profession in those days. It is possible that Phillips knew her as her studio was in his home town. The image of Phillips from this photograph is well known but we are aware of only one other original in private hands, though the example offered here is in a larger format. A large painted portrait of this image hung as a memorial to Phillips in the post office where he got his start and is now on display at the Godalming Museum. We are aware of another pose of Phillips taken by Stedman, that one full length, likely from the same sitting, which is held at The National Archives, Kew, though that image shows Phillips from a greater distance. The image size of this pose offered here may be unique.
The image measures 6¼ins. x 4?ins. With an overall size of 7?ins. x 5?ins. and has razor sharp clarity.
There are some light pencil notations about Phillips on verso. This spectacular original image of Phillips in his Marconi uniform is not one to pass up. As our late friend Ken Schultz was fond of asking: When will you ever see another?