The story is familiar to almost everyone: 103 years ago the "unsinkable" RMS Titanic set out on its maiden voyage, before meeting its deadly fate one April night.
Despite its well-known history, however, the infamous ship continues to surprise historians and collectors, as new artifacts surface. Earlier this month, the Titanic's lunch menu sold for $88,000 at aunction, and now, a set of never-before-seen photos of the vessel are hitting the auction block.
Henry Aldridge and Son, a UK-based auction house, is holding a "Titanic, Hindenburg and Icons of the 20th Century" sale on October 24, and included in the lot is a set of five newly discovered images of the ill-fated ship.
According to the Daily Mail, the images were taken by a businessman from Belfast on May 31, 1911, the day the Titanic was launched into water for the first time. The ship traveled from Belfast to Southampton, where it underwent several months of work before embarking on its first - and only - voyage on April 10, 1912.
The five photographs - which are expected to bring in £8,000 British pounds, or over $12,000 US dollars - show the vessel as it left the shipyard, as well as the 100,000+ spectators who gathered to watch.
In addition to the newly discovered photos, the auction will also feature an image of the actual iceberg believed to be the source of the Titanic's ultimate demise. The image, taken from the passing German liner Prinz Adalbert before news of the accident arrived, is accompanied by a newly discovered written account by the ship's chief steward.
The note explains how red paint, thought to be from the ship, was visible on one side of the iceberg.
The iceberg image and accompanying written account are expected to bring in £10,000-£15,000 British pounds, or approximately $15,000-$23,000 US dollars. Interested buyers can email in bids for any of the available items before the auction on Henry Aldridge and Son's website.
