Phenomenal ALS signed “Lucy Duff-Gordon,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 7, personal letterhead, May 27, [1912]. Letter to a friend. In full: “How kind of you to send me a cable of sympathy from New York on our safety. According to the way we’ve been treated by England on our return we didn’t seem to have done the right thing in being saved at all!!!! Isn’t it disgraceful.” In fine condition. This poignant letter was composed at her Knightsbridge residence during the British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry into the sinking of the RMS Titanic, which took place from May 2 to July 12, 1912.
Lucile, a prominent fashion designer, and her husband Cosmo Duff-Gordon were aristocrats who controversially fled to safety on Titanic’s Lifeboat No. 1, occupied by a mere dozen people despite a capacity of forty. The wealthy couple soon became a popular tabloid topic with allegations that Cosmo had bribed the crew to row away faster, rather than returning to rescue others; the press ultimately dubbed it the 'Money Boat.' The only passengers to participate in the inquiry's hearings, it was deemed that the Duff-Gordons did not deter the crew from any attempt at rescue, but that the lifeboat might have been able to rescue others had it turned around. Lady Duff-Gordon would later say that her husband was brokenhearted over the negative coverage for the rest of his life. Correspondence from prominent passengers with such exceptional Titanic content is rarely encountered—especially written so soon after the tragedy. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA.
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