Wallace Hartley's Violin

Wallace Hartley led the band on the Titanic and died in the sinking on 15 April 1912; his body was recovered ten days later. His fiancée Maria Robinson had given him the violin at their engagement in 1910, and a telegram transcribed in her diary thanks the Nova Scotia authorities for its return. After her death in 1939 her sister gave it to the Salvation Army in Bridlington; it passed to a violin teacher and a former pupil, whose son found it in an attic. The auctioneers Henry Aldridge & Son spent seven years researching it, with tests including analysis by the Forensic Science Service and a silver expert's dating of the engraving, and declared it genuine in March 2013. It sold on 19 October 2013 for £900,000 to a telephone bidder, a record for Titanic memorabilia.

1. 1910

   Given to Wallace Hartley by his fiancée Maria RobinsonA

   Engraved for their engagement.

2. 15 April 1912

   Aboard the Titanic with HartleyB

   Said to have been strapped to his body in its case; not listed among his recovered effects.

3. After 1939

   Given to the Salvation Army in BridlingtonA

   By Maria Robinson's sister after Robinson's death.

4. March 2013

   Declared genuine by Henry Aldridge & SonD

   After seven years of research and scientific testing.

5. 19 October 2013

   Sold at Henry Aldridge & Son for £900,000C

   To a telephone bidder; a record for Titanic memorabilia.

Used by · 1910–1912

Wallace HartleyDmedium confidence

Associated with · 15 April 1912

Sinking of the TitanicBlow confidence

1. A

   Wikipedia, 'Wallace Hartley'

   ↗ View original record
2. B

   Encyclopedia Titanica, 'Authenticating the Wallace Hartley Titanic Violin'

   ↗ View original record
3. C

   France 24, 'Titanic band leader's violin fetches record €1.06 million' (19 October 2013)

   ↗ View original record
4. D

   The Strad, 'Auction record: "Titanic violin" fetches £900,000'

   ↗ View original record