Beschreibung:

R.M.S. TITANIC: Magnificent and truly iconic sterling silver Loving Cup presented to Sir Arthur Henry Rostron, KBE, RD, RNR of the Carpathia by Titanic survivor Margaret Brown (later famously known as the Unsinkable Molly Brown) in a ceremony in New York on May 29th 1912. The chased dedication reads: "Presented to Captain A. H. Rostron RD, RNR, Commander of the RMS Carpathia. In grateful recognition and appreciation of his heroic and efficient service in the rescue of the survivors of the Titanic on April 15th 1912, and of the generous and sympathetic treatment he accorded us on his ship. From the Survivors of the Titanic". The cup is impressed with marks on the base for the Whiting Manufacturing Company and 'Sterling, 1387, 8 Pints', showing a three-pointed symbol below that indicates a production date of 1912. It is sold with original ebonised base. Molly Brown was an American socialite and one of Titanic's most famous survivors who boarded as a First Class passenger at Cherbourg, Titanic's first stop after leaving Southampton. Five days later, when Titanic struck the infamous iceberg, Molly Brown bravely helped others into the lifeboats. She left the Titanic in lifeboat six at around 1.10am. alongside Helen Churchill Candee, Quartermaster Robert Hitchins and Lookout Frederick Fleet along with around 18 others. After the collision Harold Cottam, the wireless operator on board Carpathia, received the distress signals sent out by Jack Phillips and Harold Bride on board the Titanic which led Captain Rostron to set his course in the direction of the disaster, posting extra lookouts to help navigate through the ice floes and ordering his engineers to maintain the highest speed possible for the ship. As his ship travelled through the dangerous waters, Captain Rostron prepared the ship for what lay ahead. He ensured that the Carpathia's lifeboats were lowered, made sure blankets and hot drinks be ready and prepared medical stations for the survivors who would be arriving. Captain Rostron and his crew successfully rescued 705 of Titanic's passengers. Molly Brown's lifeboat was one of the last to get to the Carpathia arriving around 8am. on the 15th April. The Fenwick collection which is being sold at lot numbers 211-232 documents the rescue. Once set onboard the philanthropic side of Molly Brown came to the fore and she helped establish a committee that included First Class survivors George Harder, Fredrick Spedden, Hakan Bjornstorm-Steffanson, Samuel L. Goldenberg, I.G. Frauenthal, Fredrick Seward, and Karl Behr to raise money for destitute survivors, collecting around $10,000 before the Carpathia had even reached New York. A ceremony was arranged the following month to recognize the heroic Carpathia crew, who were each presented with a medal either gold, silver or bronze dependent upon rank. A silver Carpathia medal is being offered in this sale at lot number 197. Molly Brown presented Captain Rostron with the loving cup with photographs taken of the event. This is without doubt one of the most iconic objects relating to the Titanic disaster and carries a truly impeccable provenance. It has remained in the Rostron family since its presentation on May 29th 1912 and has been exhibited in the National Museums Liverpool, Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the world's largest Titanic museums in Branson and Pigeon Forge in the USA. It measures 12ins. tall x 7¾ins. diameter and weighs 36½ozs.