The world-famous violin believed to be the one played by RMS Titanic bandmaster Wallace Hartley, went on display in Belfast, Northern Ireland today.
The instrument, which was discovered in 2006, was that played by second-class passenger Wallace Hartley on Titanic’s fateful night of April 14th, 1912.
Accompanied by a leather luggage case initialed W. H. H., the violin is on display exclusively at Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience, located at the birthplace of the great liner in the historic maritime city, prior to it going to public auction next month.
It will be on public display until October 13, 2013 – possibly for the final time before it goes to auction on October 19 at Henry Aldridge & Sons, The Devizes Auctioneer, in Wiltshire, England.
The original violin, made of maple, spruce and ebony, was given to Lancashire-born Wallace Hartley as a gift from his fiancée Maria Robinson on the event of their engagement.
Regarded as a hero in Titanic’s folk lore, Hartley is credited with the decision to lead his eight-strong band into the historic hymn ‘Nearer, My God, to Thee’ in an attempt to calm passengers as they boarded lifeboats.
All eight men perished in the disaster, and Hartley’s remains were recovered on April 29, 1912 by crew on the ship, the MacKay Bennett. His body was recorded as number 224.
The arrival of the violin also launches Titanic Belfast’s autumn and winter campaigns, which will include an Alternative Festival and Mid-term Festival in October, and the Festival of Family and Friends in November.
Titanic Belfast CEO Tim Husbands said: “We are delighted that Titanic Belfast has been chosen by the auctioneers to display Wallace Hartley’s violin which he played on RMS Titanic.
“It’s part of the ongoing remarkable story of Titanic that has brought the violin to the birthplace of Titanic in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and to the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience.
“This could very well be the last opportunity for visitors to see one of the world’s most famous and potentially most valuable Titanic artifacts before it goes to auction.”
Tickets for Titanic Belfast can be booked in advance online at www.titanicbelfast.com or at ticket-desks in Titanic Belfast.
Andrew Aldridge, a Chartered Valuation Surveyor with Henry Aldridge and Son Auctioneer, said: “The Wallace Hartley Titanic violin is one of the most iconic collectables from the 20th century.
“Bandleader Hartley was an incredibly brave man whose actions helped to calm passengers during Titanic’s last hours. The authentication process behind the collection has been a long and exhaustive one with some of the world’s leading experts in their respective fields helping to assemble a conclusive package of independent reports to accompany the archive. The auction of the violin and associated items will be on October 19th in Devizes, Wiltshire.
“The violin has attracted interest from collectors all over the world especially after its recent successful three month exhibition in the United States where in excess of 100,000 enthusiasts viewed it.
“This is the last time the violin will be seen in public prior to returning to Devizes for auction viewing and sale.”
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