Trending Now - Titanic Survivor's Life Jacket Sells for $900,000 at Auction
WHO:
CBS News - The life jacket was worn by Laura Mabel Francatelli, a first-class passenger on the RMS Titanic.
CBS News - Francatelli was traveling with her employer, fashion designer Lucy Duff Gordon, and Lucy's husband Cosmo Duff Gordon.
WHAT:
NY Post - The auction included other rare artifacts, such as a gold watch and a ticket to the First Class section of the Titanic.
CBS News - A seat cushion from one of the Titanic lifeboats sold for $527,000 to the owners of two Titanic museums in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Branson, Missouri.
Fox News - The life jacket sold for approximately $906,000, exceeding its pre-sale estimate of £475,000.
CBS News - The life jacket sold at auction for $906,000.
CBS News - The flotation device is signed by Laura Mabel Francatelli and other survivors from the same lifeboat.
CBS News - A seat cushion from one of the Titanic lifeboats sold for $527,000.
CBS News - The auction was conducted by Henry Aldridge & Son auctioneers.
WHERE:
CBS News - The auction took place in Devizes, western England.
CBS News - The life jacket has been displayed at museums in both the United States and Europe.
WHEN:
CBS News - The auction occurred on April 18th, 2026.
CBS News - The Titanic sank on April 15th, 1912.
WHY:
CBS News - The auctioneer Andrew Aldridge stated that the record-breaking prices illustrate the continuing interest in the Titanic story and respect for the passengers and crew.
CBS News - Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge noted that there are only a handful of life jackets worn by survivors that still exist today, with most held in museums and unlikely to be sold.
CBS News - The auctioneer Andrew Aldridge stated that the record-breaking prices illustrate the continuing interest in the Titanic story and respect for the passengers and crew.
HOW:
CBS News - The flotation device is made of canvas with cork-filled sections.
CBS News - The life jacket was sold to an unidentified telephone bidder, exceeding the presale estimate of between £250,000 and £350,000.
(UPDATED April 19, 2026 15:07 UTC)
A seat cushion from one of the Titanic lifeboats has sold for an impressive $527,000 to the owners of two Titanic museums located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Branson, Missouri. The auction, which also featured other rare artifacts like a gold watch and a ticket to the First Class section of the Titanic, highlighted the enduring fascination with the Titanic story, according to auctioneer Andrew Aldridge. This particular flotation device, made of canvas with cork-filled sections, is a poignant reminder of the tragic event and the lives it affected.
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(UPDATED April 19, 2026 09:10 UTC)
A life jacket worn by a survivor of the Titanic has sold for approximately $906,000 at auction, surpassing its pre-sale estimate of £475,000. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge highlighted that only a few of these life jackets still exist, with most being preserved in museums and rarely available for sale. This significant auction reflects the enduring fascination with Titanic artifacts and their historical value.
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(UPDATED April 18, 2026 23:05 UTC)
A life jacket worn by Laura Mabel Francatelli, a first-class passenger on the RMS Titanic, was sold at auction for a staggering $906,000 in Devizes, western England. The flotation device, which is signed by Francatelli and other survivors from the same lifeboat, highlights the ongoing fascination with the Titanic story, as noted by auctioneer Andrew Aldridge. Additionally, a seat cushion from one of the Titanic lifeboats fetched $527,000, demonstrating the enduring respect for the passengers and crew of that fateful voyage.