The weather was “very fine” on April 10, 1912, when Henry Price Hodges sat down onboard the Titanic to pen a letter to his friend.
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As his pen swept across that single sheet of paper, Hodges was completely unaware he was creating a relic that would one day offer a “historically priceless snapshot” of one of history’s most famous shipwrecks, and sell for up to 35,000 pounds in an online auction.
“Dear Hector, very many thanks for the telegram and for the good wishes,” Hodges began.
Hodges was traveling to Boston to visit family, and had just boarded the Titanic with a second-class ticket costing 13 pounds.
In his letter to Mr. Hector Young, of the Newtown Conservative Association in Southampton, Hodges detailed the vibrant atmosphere that enveloped the ship known to be the largest of its time.
“On the top deck there are about 200 boys (from 20 upwards) marching round & singing,” Hodges wrote. “Others are playing dominoes & cards in the saloons, some reading, some writing.”
Hodges expressed disappointment that his friend’s father had not been able to join in on the journey, but said he was grateful Hector’s brother had come instead.
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“Everything is quite different to what you would expect to see at sea,” Hodges continued.
Unbeknownst to him, the most unexpected part of his journey was yet to come.
“I am going to bed early, for I feel as tired as a dead dog,” Hodges wrote. “Good bye Hector. Best wishes.”
Five days later, on April 15, Hodges’ life was claimed in the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean after the sinking of the Titanic. His body was recovered wearing a dark suit and gold jewelry, with 40 pounds, a pocket knife and his keys in his pocket, according to Encyclopedia Titanica.
Though Hodges was buried in Nova Scotia more than a century ago, his story lives on through this recovered letter, which is expected to sell for up to 35,000 pounds in an online auction hosted by Henry Aldridge & Son, an auction house in England known for its Titanic memorabilia.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said the letter “gives us a historically priceless snapshot into what life was like onboard the most famous ship ever to take to the seas for a second class passenger,” as reported by BBC.
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The auction will be held on Sunday.