• Rare Titanic Lifeboat Vest Sells at Auction for Around 670,000 Pounds (about 900,000 Dollars)
• Final Price Far Exceeds Early Estimates and Surpasses Expectations

A rare lifeboat vest belonging to a Titanic survivor has been sold at auction for £670,000 (about $900,000) during a sale held in Britain, marking one of the highest prices ever achieved for items linked to the famous maritime disaster.

The auction took place at “Henry Aldridge & Son” in Devizes, Wiltshire, where the item is considered the only one of its kind ever to be publicly offered since the ship sank 114 years ago.

The vest belonged to first-class passenger Laura Mabel Francatelli, who survived the 1912 disaster among around 700 survivors, and reportedly used it before boarding a lifeboat.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said he felt a “great sense of euphoria” after the sale, noting that the strong demand reflects ongoing global fascination with the Titanic story.

He added that the item represents a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors,” especially as it bears survivor signatures and includes original design features such as pockets and fastening straps.

The final result significantly exceeded early estimates, which ranged between £250,000 and £350,000 (about $330,000–$470,000).

In the same auction, a Titanic lifeboat pillow also sold for £390,000 (about $530,000).

The sale comes as the world marks the 114th anniversary of the Titanic sinking, one of the most famous maritime disasters in history.