England, Rothschild Estate, ca. 1816 (oak box) & Birmingham, 1902 (silver tray). Remarkable keepsakes rescued from the Titanic, an oak box with a personal inscription, containing an informative note and a sterling silver heart shaped pin tray embossed w/ 5 seraphim amidst clouds, w/ a Birmingham mark, made in 1902. In addition, a limited edition leather-bound Titanic Collector's Set (Canada Post Corporation, 2012). Size: 3.875" L x 6.875" W x 3.625" H (9.8 cm x 17.5 cm x 9.2 cm) (box) Silver tray weighs 15.7 grams and measures 2.5"L x 2.5"W x .375"H (6.35 cm x 6.35 cm x .95 cm).

Inscribed on the side of the box is the following message, "1816 from Oak Grown on Rothschild Estate, Buck R." Inside the box, a typed note written by C.F. McDougal states, "This oak box was made from a tree on the Rothschild Estate in England and was aboard the Titanic when she sank." McDougal continues, "Elizabeth Mellenger had been a governess for the Rothschild family. She and her daughter Madeleine (Mann) were rescued and this box and a small sterling heart shaped pin tray were on board. Madeleine Mann gave me this box and the pin tray when she and her husband sold their home in Ridgeway and moved back to Toronto to be closer to their children." Complementing these keepsakes is a limited edition leather-bound embossed Titanic Collector's Set with a Certificate of Authenticity attached to the inside back cover, numbered 09655 of 10,000 telling the tragic story of the Titanic from a Canadian perspective (very apropos as the box and tray was given to C.F. McDougal by Madeleine Mann when she and her husband were moving back to Toronto. It includes an authentic International Mercantile Marine Company (White Star Line) stock certificate, ca. early 1900s, five commemorative stamps issued by Canada Post, including an over-printed full pane of domestic-rate stamps exclusive to this collection, along with an international-rate souvenir stamp sheet, two Royal Canadian Mint Titanic commemorative coins, including the limited-edition silver-plated coin (only 15,000 pieces struck in total), and a set of three postcards (as listed on the Certificate of Authenticity). The limited edition Titanic Collector's Set also includes a page on Madeleine, shown as photograph 9 in this listing.

Whether you are a serious collector of Titanic memorabilia or a novice just beginning your collection, do not miss the boat (please excuse my dark humor), rather, do not miss the opportunity to "dive in" and acquire these collectibles from the shipwrecked RMS Titanic. And if this history alone is not enough to entice you, perhaps the fact that the box was made from a tree on an estate of the elite Rothschilds, comes with the informative note delineated above, bears an endearing inscription on the side, and was on the person of a Rothschild family governess who was dramatically rescued from the shipwreck with her daughter, will be.

According to the current owner, "These two artifacts came from the estate of Cameron McDougal of Fort Erie Ontario. Mr. McDougal was a neighbor of Titanic survivor Madeleine Mann (Mellenger). Elizabeth Mellenger was the mother of Madeleine who was employed by the Rothschild family as a Governess. She and Madeleine (age 13) left England on the Titanic to work for the Colgate Family in the USA. The oak dressing box was made from wood on the Rothschild estate and contains a Birmingham sterling pin tray hallmarked 1902 which was given to Elizabeth Mellenger by the Rothschild family. These two items were in the possession of Elizabeth Mellenger when she and her daughter were lowered into a lifeboat from the Titanic. Madeleine Mann (Mellenger) lived in Ridgeway Ontario, was a neighbor of Mr. McDougal, and they attended the same church. Madeleine Mann (Mellenger) gave the oak box and silver pin tray to Mr. McDougal when she moved to Toronto (Scarborough) Ontario to be closer to family. Mr. McDougal took photos of the box and tray in the home and sent copies to Madeleine in 1973 as documented in a letter from Madeleine to Cameron McDougal dated January 15, 1973. Madeleine Mann (Mellenger) is buried in the Ridgeway Cemetery and her gravestone has her identified as a Titanic survivor." Included in the leatherbound volume featured in this lot is a section discussing Madeleine Mellenger.

Provenance: Ex-private G. Baran collection, Canada; Ex- Cameron McDougal, Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, Ex-Madeline Mann - Passenger on the Titanic - Mr. McDougal was a neighbor of Titanic survivor Madeline Mann

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#120719

Sterling silver tray is excellent. Box shows some wear with minor losses to corners. The latch (probably original) functions well. Limited edition leatherbound Titanic Collector's Set in excellent condition.