Titanic survivor slipped menu into handbag

A poignant reminder of the last lunch on board the Titanic is expected to fetch up to €120,000 when it goes under the hammer.

A menu, dated April 14, 1912, shows the luxury food offered to first-class passengers on the last day on board the stricken ship.

Over several courses, and with 40 options on offer, the cream of Edwardian society were served a choice of such dishes as eggs Argenteuil, consomme fermier, chicken à la Maryland, galantine of chicken or grilled mutton chops.

The menu was on the table of first-class passenger Dr Washington Dodge, a prominent banker from San Francisco, who was travelling to America with his wife, Ruth, and son, Washington Junior. Ms Dodge slipped the menu into her hand-bag before carrying on with her day – unaware of what was to come. She and her son survived the tragedy after being ushered on to a lifeboat and the menu, which had remained in her bag, has stayed with the family ever since.

The sale is being held by Henry Aldridge & Son to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Royal Mail Steamer Titanic on March 31.

“Any menu from the Titanic is highly prized but collectors will be offered the opportunity of a lifetime when a first-class menu from the last lunch ever held on board the Titanic goes under the auctioneer’s hammer,” said spokesman Andrew Aldridge.

“This remarkable relic from one of the most infamous nights of the 20th century carries a pre-sale estimate of €70,000 to €120,000.”

Meanwhile, the Royal Mint has released a £5 coin to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s doomed maiden voyage.

Royal Mint engraver Lee Robert Jones’s design depicts Thane, the female figure depicted in the Titanic Memorial in Belfast, looking down at the world-famous profile of the ship sailing through the Atlantic Ocean.