“Titanic’s Last Dinner Menu Fetches ₹84.5 Lakh: A Glimpse into Culinary History at Auction”
Explore the fascinating story behind the auction of Titanic’s last first-class dinner menu, offering a glimpse into the culinary choices aboard the iconic ship three days before its tragic sinking. The historic artifact raises questions about Victoria pudding and prompts ethical considerations regarding the preservation of Titanic relics.
A water-stained menu from the last dinner served to first-class passengers on the ill-fated RMS Titanic has fetched an impressive ₹84.5 lakh at auction in England. The historic menu, stained with water and featuring the White Star logo, provides a glimpse into the culinary choices offered on April 11, 1912, just three days before the tragic sinking of the iconic ship.
Unveiling Titanic’s Culinary Past
The auction, held by Henry Aldridge & Son of Wiltshire, showcased various Titanic artifacts, with the star of the show being the first-class dinner menu. The menu, which survived the disaster and subsequent evacuation to lifeboats, presents an intriguing snapshot of the luxurious dining experience aboard the Titanic. The offerings on that fateful evening included oysters, salmon, beef, squab, duck, chicken, and a dessert named Victoria pudding.
The Mystery of Victoria Pudding
Among the questions raised by the auction is the nature of Victoria pudding. Described as a boiled dessert served with apricots and French ice cream, the concoction consisted of flour, eggs, jam, brandy, apples, cherries, peel, sugar, and spices. This glimpse into the Titanic’s final culinary offerings adds a layer of historical intrigue to the already captivating story of the ship’s ill-fated maiden voyage.
Rare Surviving Artifact
Believed to be one of the few surviving first-class menus from that evening, the water-stained relic was found in a 1960s photo album belonging to Len Stephenson, a community historian in Dominion, Nova Scotia. Andrew Aldridge, the manager of the auction house, expressed the rarity of the find, stating, “I can’t find another one anywhere.” The menu’s survival and journey through time make it a unique and valuable piece of Titanic history.
Ethical Considerations Surrounding Titanic Artifacts
While Titanic artifacts often find their way into auctions, there are ongoing discussions about the ethical considerations surrounding items believed to have been recovered from the bodies of victims. Harry Bennett, an associate professor of maritime history at the University of Plymouth, emphasizes the importance of placing such historical artifacts in museums to provide a context that transcends profit motives.
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