Letter from Titanic Survivor Archibald Gracie Sells for $400,000 at Auction

More than a century after the sinking of the RMS Titanic, a historic letter written by one of its first-class passengers, Archibald Gracie, has been auctioned for an astounding $400,000.

The letter, dated April 10, 1912 — the day the Titanic departed for New York — was written by Gracie to an acquaintance. In it, he remarked, *“It is a good ship, but I shall reserve judgment until the end of the voyage.”*

Just four days later, on April 14, 1912, the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic Ocean. Gracie survived the disaster by jumping into the freezing water and climbing aboard an overturned lifeboat. He was later rescued but suffered severe hypothermia after spending hours in the icy sea.

Although he miraculously survived the sinking, Gracie never fully recovered. He passed away a few months later due to complications from hypothermia.

Now, more than 100 years later, his letter has been sold to an American collector, highlighting the enduring fascination with the Titanic tragedy, which claimed over 1,500 lives.