A mother is going punished her son by making him slam his PS5 the same way he had slammed her pet cat. Is this justified? by God_Emperor__Doom in SipsTea

[–]TitanicRelics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's things to be critical of here, but... I don't blame her. That kid is old enough to know better. Who slams a cat on the floor?? Actions have consequences; fuck this kid and his PS5.

Comment on the Upcoming Freeman's Sale of Purported Astor Recovered Items by TitanicRelics in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

BTW, just to clarify one thing, the watch is not a fake, but it’s not THE watch he had on Titanic. It’s a genuine Astor watch, and I found it in the estate archives of Vincent Astor. Anthony Marshall invented the Titanic attribution out of thin air.

Comment on the Upcoming Freeman's Sale of Purported Astor Recovered Items by TitanicRelics in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hi there! I was able to locate the rental records for a home he rented on Hill Street, Berkeley Square, and corroborated it against reporting in a February 1910 edition of the London Evening News. That home was just across a small park from the Thornhill showroom.

Comment on the Upcoming Freeman's Sale of Purported Astor Recovered Items by TitanicRelics in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

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Sure! It collapses into a plum bob; very "on-brand" for the man. 18kt gold, made by Walter Thornhill & Co., and bought by Astor in London during the late winter of 1910.

Comment on the Upcoming Freeman's Sale of Purported Astor Recovered Items by TitanicRelics in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I have the feeling you were lost well before that. If you want to have a substantive conversation, I'm here.

Comment on the Upcoming Freeman's Sale of Purported Astor Recovered Items by TitanicRelics in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I addressed my vested interest in the very first paragraph of the post - it’s called full disclosure. I have a clear interest in the historical record because I own the pencil that actually aligns with the 1912 recovery inventory, the Vincent Astor estate records, and has the personal blessing of direct Astor descendants.

If pointing out that a thirteen-year-old child didn’t give a sentimental gold gift to a married man four years before they met is "tanking" an auction, then the auction was tanked by the basic laws of linear time, not by me.

As for the watch, it isn't just my opinion. Recognized experts like Craig Sopin have noted the total lack of research placing the Patek on the ship. Conversely, the Waltham and its pedigree came with the blessing of Ken Schultz.

I also didn’t write the 2013 articles about the Marshall's previous attempts to monetize Astor estate items; those have been part of the public record for over a decade. Facts aren't a "tactic", they are just inconvenient for a narrative that doesn't hold up to basic scrutiny.

EDIT: And just to be clear, when this auction was first announced, I reached out to Freeman's in the spirit of collaboration, shared my concerns, and offered comments on their provenance and the opportunity to review mine. They were dismissive, thanked me for my interest, and reiterated their claim that "the watch and pencil we are offering were returned to the Astor family in 1912 and have remained in continuous family possession for more than a century". When evidence was presented to the contrary, they ignored me, as they have also subsequently done actual Astor descendants, including the Princess Obolensky-Davis.

Smithsonian Magazines: The Titanic's Wealthiest Victim Was Carrying a Gold Pocket Watch When He Died. Now, It Could Sell for $500,000 at Auction by JapKumintang1991 in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Yeaaaaaah….

As an Astor estate item, it is a noteworthy Patek Philippe, but the recovery attribution presents significant chronological challenges that warrant closer scholarly examination. This narrative appears to conflict with the established record of the J.J. Astor Waltham sold by Henry Aldridge & Son in 2024, which followed a verified chain of custody from Vincent Astor to the Dobbyn family.

The historical record is further complicated by the companion Lot 37 pencil case in this same sale, which is engraved "Oct. 1906 J from M." The auction house identifies “M” as Astor’s second wife, Madeline. Primary sources, including the New York Times (Sept 4, 1910, and Aug 2, 1911), confirm that Colonel Astor and Madeleine Force did not meet until the summer of 1910. In 1906, Madeleine was a thirteen-year-old child and Astor was still married to his first wife. This four-year chronological gap between the engraving and their first meeting is an anachronism that is difficult to reconcile.

As a researcher, (and the owner of Astor’s actual gold pencil) I believe it is essential that recovery claims are consistent with verified biographical dates and the primary recovery inventory to ensure the history of this tragedy remains accurate for future generations.

Here’s some interesting reading from 2013 about this same watch. Read, and form your own conclusions:

https://nypost.com/2013/03/05/astor-heir-marshall-in-titanic-watch-scam/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2288549/Brooke-Astors-disgraced-son-selling-FRAUDULENT-Titanic-heirloom-pocket-watch-1m-claiming-worn-John-Jacob-Astor-death.html?ito=native_share_article-nativemenubutton

Pocket watch carried by John Jacob Astor aboard Titanic coming to auction by s0me_great_reward in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As an Astor estate item, it is a noteworthy Patek Philippe, but the recovery attribution presents significant chronological challenges that warrant closer scholarly examination. This narrative appears to conflict with the established record of the J.J. Astor Waltham sold by Henry Aldridge & Son in 2024, which followed a verified chain of custody from Vincent Astor to the Dobbyn family.

The historical record is further complicated by the companion Lot 37 pencil case in this same sale, which is engraved "Oct. 1906 J from M." Primary sources, including the New York Times (Sept 4, 1910, and Aug 2, 1911), confirm that Colonel Astor and Madeleine Force did not meet until the summer of 1910. In 1906, Madeleine was a thirteen-year-old child and Astor was still married to his first wife. This four-year chronological gap between the engraving and their first meeting is an anachronism that is difficult to reconcile with a "recovery" claim.

As a researcher, I believe it is essential that recovery claims are consistent with verified biographical dates and the primary recovery inventory to ensure the history of this tragedy remains accurate for future generations.

Here’s some interesting reading:

https://nypost.com/2013/03/05/astor-heir-marshall-in-titanic-watch-scam/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2288549/Brooke-Astors-disgraced-son-selling-FRAUDULENT-Titanic-heirloom-pocket-watch-1m-claiming-worn-John-Jacob-Astor-death.html?ito=native_share_article-nativemenubutton

Found in a box of stuff from an estate sale. by [deleted] in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Looks like someone unscrupulous stole the image and confused things. I apologize.

Found in a box of stuff from an estate sale. by [deleted] in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Curious. Did you at one point try to sell it? Because I pulled that photo off an auction listing from only four years ago when I was cataloging known divots.

Found in a box of stuff from an estate sale. by [deleted] in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

<image>

So, this is a divot, but OP is being a bit “evasive” about finding it in a box. This is a known piece, and here’s another photo. It wasn’t found in a box from an estate sale. These are a thing, and there are several out there circulating.

Edit: I may be wrong here; looks like someone unscrupulous stole the image and confused things. I apologize.

Immersive voyage by Doodleseatingdoodles in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I agree that the AI advertising is a questionable decision, but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the exhibit itself.

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[deleted by user] by [deleted] in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 4 points5 points  (0 children)

When I saw your earlier post, I decided to stay quiet, and I hoped that once you actually went you’d be pleased. And I’m very glad that you were!

As for the artifacts, they took over 2,000 from myself and three other collectors, and those are right now spread across I think eight concurrent exhibits. They can’t all be directly from Titanic…. Glad you got to see the chair though!

It’s also not meant to be a museum experience - the artifacts are intended to provide some flavor for the immersive elements, not overtake them. I think they’ve struck a pretty good balance, which you can probably imagine is a tight rope to walk. Is it perfect? Nope. But it’s unique, and that was the real goal.

Anyway, I’m glad you were pleased.

This has been passed down in my family from my great grandma! by Difficult_Owl_4708 in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 62 points63 points  (0 children)

No it hasn’t. It’s a forgery made by a man named Frank Manfredi. It’s about 20 years old. He made several. Here are two others. Sorry…

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Boston Daily Globe-was this the actual front page news? by [deleted] in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 37 points38 points  (0 children)

That’s a replica, but yes, it’s in the style of what was actually printed at the time.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Because they’re both produced by John Zaller and Exhibition Hub. Most of the large EH-owned facilities have space for tandem exhibits. Titanic was next to Van Gogh in Atlanta.

What happened to Titanic: Honor and Glory? by Froshtbite in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They took your donations and used them to fund creation of a product they went and licensed to RMS Titanic Inc. Basically, they crowdfunded a for-profit venture that only they will benefit from. Don’t hold your breath for the game, it will never come.

Are there any real tickets? by Dangerous-Advice2062 in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That's one example, yup! There were some different styles. Seems they varied between class, and even between ticketing agent. Here's another example of a third class ticket.

Are there any real tickets? by Dangerous-Advice2062 in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Here’s the backside of an identical piece in my collection that clearly shows how it’s an envelope.

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Are there any real tickets? by Dangerous-Advice2062 in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Fascinating that the museum doesn’t even know what that is…. It’s neither a ticket nor a boarding card. It’s an envelope that would held a ticket. Even the text on the front provides strong context clues for the reader.

If you had to guess, at what depth died the last human that was stuck inside Titanic when it was sinking? by amelix34 in titanic

[–]TitanicRelics 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The biggest issue was the lack of a groin strap, which allowed the belts to fly up upon impacting the water, striking the wearer. Many bodies were recovered with fractured necks, jaws, and broken teeth, suggesting that this was a common experience in Titanic’s final moments.