^Lot 1657 William T. Stead

Journalist (1849–1912) and assistant editor of the Pall Mall Gazette famous for his anti-vice crusade and founder of The Review of Reviews who drowned in the Titanic disaster. He is widely considered to be the founder of modern journalism. Vintage 3.25 x 5.25 postcard photo, signed in the lower border in fountain pen, “William T. Stead, Christmas 1908.” In very good condition, with moderate silvering to image and background. According to one Titanic survivor, Stead exhibited ‘superhuman composure’ and ‘divine work’ in his final moments, and when he ‘could do no more, he stood alone at the edge of the deck’ in a ‘prayerful attitude of profound meditation’ as he prepared for his end. A later sighting by another survivor revealed Stead had survived the sinking for a short time, clinging to a raft with John Jacob Astor, until hypothermia forced them each to release their grips and sink into the darkness.