“The gold pocket watch of John Jacob Astor, one of the wealthiest individuals of the time who perished in the sinking of the Titanic, is being auctioned today by the England-based auction house Henry Aldridge & Son as part of the collection titled ‘Titanic and Transport Memorabilia.’ The gold watch, along with numerous memorabilia such as a violin from the Titanic, a wallet, and a pair of cufflinks, has been valued at approximately $190,000 in the auction.”
John Jacob Astor (47), the wealthy American businessman, was among the richest individuals in the world with a fortune of $87 million, adjusted for the economic conditions of his time. According to eyewitness accounts, during the events that began with the Titanic striking an iceberg on April 14, 1912, Astor was seen putting his wife into a lifeboat and then waiting his turn on the deck while conversing with another person. Astor’s lifeless body was recovered from the water seven days later, and his identity was determined by the initials embroidered on the collar of his jacket, as was the custom at that time.
