The use of Opiates can be traced back to the Titanic Disaster of April 14, 1912 in three Marconigrams being auctioned at Philip Weiss Auctions on June 15, 2016 at 10 am EST. They paint a dark picture of the corporate leadership on board of the Titanic, J. Bruce Ismay: “Mr. Bruce Ismay is Under an Opiate.”
An Original Marconigram from the Titanic disaster provides documented proof of the use of opiates at that time by the son of the Titanic’s owner and one the decision maker at the scene of the rescue.They paint a dark picture of the corporate leadership on board of the Titanic, J. Bruce Ismay: “Mr. Bruce Ismay is Under an Opiate.” Originally purchased by a private collector through Christie’s in 1998, these gems of history documenting the decisions being made are in three Marconigrams being auctioned by Philip Weiss Auctions on June 15, 2016 at 10 am EST.
These historical records reveal the opiate story as Ismay, the Managing Director of White Star Lines, the parent company of the Titanic snuck onto a lifeboat to escape the sinking ship. These original Titanic Marconigrams, serve as a cautionary tale of the downward spiral of opiate addiction, as Ismay orders the rescue ship Olympic to stay out of view of the Titanic survivors.
The set of three Marconigrams will be auctioned by a private collector through Phillip Weiss Auctions, Lynbrook, N.Y. in Lot 1457 on June 15, 2016 at 10 am EST. In addition, Lot 1456 contains a rare color lithograph promoting the fated journey. Online bids are being handled by Proxibid at
LOT: 1457
A group of three Marconi messages (Lot 1457) from the R.M.S. Olympic radio log book, 3 pp, oblong 8vo (140 x 200mm) April 15, 1912, being communications between the Commander of the R.M.S. Carpathia and the Commander of the R.M.S. Olympic, discussing whether or not the R.M.S. Olympic (the Titanic’s sister ship) should pass in view of and aid the R.M.S. Carpathia in the rescue.
Each Marconi message is identically framed. These three documents record the moment when the authorities decide whether or not to let the Olympic participate in the transport of the survivors. The earliest message reports on the condition of J. Bruce Ismay, the White Star Line’s managing director who survived the Titanic hiding in a life boat.
MESSAGE 1: “To: COMMANDER OLYMPIC. RECEIVED 3: 18.18 pm N.Y.T.
MR. BRUCE ISMAY IS UNDER AN OPIATE./ ROSTRON.”
MESSAGE 2: The next message, sent by Rostron just two minutes later, reads: “To: COMMANDER OLYMPIC. RECEIVED 3.20 pm NYT
DO YOU THINK IT ADVISABLE TITANIC’S PASSENGERS SEE OLYMPIC/PERSONALLY I SAY NOT./ROSTRON.”
MESSAGE 3: Two minutes later, Rostron added: “To: COMMANDER OLYMPIC RECEIVED 3.22 PM NYT/
MR. ISMAY ORDERS OLYMPIC NOT TO BE SEEN BY CARPATHIA./NO TRANSFERS TO TAKE PLACE. ROSTRON.”
Lot 1456
A rare Color Lithograph Promotional Poster based on a painting by the English artist Montague Birrell Black commissioned by the White Star Line showing both its sisters ships the Olympic and Titanic before the Titanic disaster for display in White Star Line offices (prior to April 15, 1912) in its original oak frame with the attached metal label: White Star Line Olympic; Titanic, New Triple Screw Steamers Largest and Finest in the World.
After the Titanic sinking with the loss of 1,520 people, these posters were removed from the White Star Lines office and were believed to have been ordered to be destroyed. It was the only promotional poster to feature both the Olympic and the Titanic with the Olympic in the foreground and the Titanic sailing off into the sunset. Lithograph size is approximately 39” and 29” with the overall frame size approximately 44.5” x 34.5”
To place your online bid, please visit:
Media: For more information and copies of the images, please contact Maureen O’Crean in -Los Angeles at 310-379-9620 Email: maureen(at)maureenocrean.com
For Auction information contact Philip Weiss, Philip Weiss Auctions, Long Island, NY
Phone: 516.594.0731 Email: info(at)weissauctions.com
