A rare letter written by a Titanic survivor has sold for a remarkable £300,000 at auction, capturing the fascination of collectors and historians alike. The handwritten letter, penned by Esther Hart just hours before the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912, offers a deeply personal glimpse into life aboard the ill-fated ship.
Esther Hart, who was traveling with her daughter Eva — one of the disaster’s best-known child survivors — wrote the letter to her mother in England. In it, she described the luxurious surroundings and her excitement about the voyage. The letter was placed in her husband’s coat pocket, which he used to protect other documents, and it survived the sinking when Esther and Eva were rescued. Tragically, her husband Benjamin Hart did not survive.
Auctioneers described the item as one of the most important Titanic-related documents ever offered for sale. Its high sale price reflects both its historical significance and the enduring public interest in the Titanic disaster, which claimed over 1,500 lives.
Historians regard the letter as a poignant artifact, offering real-time insight into one of history’s most infamous maritime tragedies. It now joins a growing collection of personal relics helping to keep the Titanic story alive for future generations.
