A set of two non-transmitted telegrams from survivors of the Titanic from the Carpathia to family members in New York. Both measure approximately 8.5 x 3.75, and are filled out in pencil by the respective senders. The first is from Harry Anderson to his wife, and reads “Safe aboard Carpathia do not worry.” The second is from George Harder to his father Victor and reads “Dorothy and I arrive Carpathia both well answer us George.” Both messages are attached to larger Marconi International Marine Communication Company Ltd. forms and stamped “Not Transmitted.” Both telegrams are affixed to either side of a 13.5 x 8 sheet. In very good condition, with rough top edge, scattered toning and rippling, a couple of edge tears, and a few other pencil notations.
Harry Anderson, a stockbroker, was a first class passenger who boarded the Titanic at Southhampton after a business and pleasure trip to England, and was returning to his wife Flora and their home on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Despite his harrowing experience at sea, Anderson was commodore of the New York Athletic Club’s yacht division.
George and Dorothy Harder were first class passengers who boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg. Newly-married, they were returning home to Brooklyn. After the sinking, George Harder would testify before the U.S. Senate Investigative Committee. He and his wife were frequently asked to lecture about the Titanic, but refused, and George found it difficult to live down the stigma as a male survivor.
By April 15 at 8:30 am, all of the Titanic’s 705 survivors had been brought aboard the Carpathia. Cared for by the passengers and crew, they were given warm food, drink, blankets, and dry clothes. Telegraph operator Thomas Cottam, although assisted by Harold Bride, could not get through the mountain of requests from survivors, including these telegrams, which were never sent. Anderson eventually managed to send a telegram to his wife assuring her of his safety and the Harders appeared in newspaper survivor lists before the Carpathia arrived in New York. Truly remarkable documents authored by survivors aboard the rescue ship. RRAuction COA.
