Lot 646

SS ATHENIA - FIRST BRITISH SHIP SUNK IN WORLD WAR II

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SS ATHENIA - FIRST BRITISH SHIP SUNK IN WORLD WAR II

Estimate: $600 - $800

Starting Bid: $300

(0 Bids)

by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
July 30, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
106 East Main Street, Suite 103
Elkton, MD, US 21921

SS ATHENIA - FIRST BRITISH SHIP SUNK IN WORLD WAR II
SS Athenia was a steam turbine transatlantic passenger liner built in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1923. She worked between the United Kingdom and the east coast of Canada until 3 September 1939, when a torpedo from the German submarine U-30 sank her in the Western Approaches. Athenia was the first British ship to be sunk by Germany during World War II, and resulted in 117 civilian passengers and crew killed. The sinking was condemned as a war crime. Among those dead were 28 US citizens, causing Germany to fear that the US might join the war on the side of the British Empire and France. Wartime German authorities denied that one of their vessels had sunk the ship. An admission of responsibility did not come from Germany until 1946. SS Athenia was a steam turbine transatlantic passenger liner built in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1923 for the Anchor-Donaldson Line, which later became the Donaldson Atlantic Line. She worked between the United Kingdom and the east coast of Canada until 3 September 1939, when a torpedo from the German submarine U-30 sank her in the Western Approaches. Excessively rare collection of items associated with the Athenia, including a rare gold-toned (likely plated) presentation cigarette case, likely given to a surviving crew member, 3.5 x 5 in., a crosshatched pattern on both sides with the front panel engraved with the flags of thge vessels owners, Donaldson Atlantic Line.It is further engraved: 'PRESENTED BY DONALDSON ATLANTIC LINE LTDS OWNERS T.S.S. 'ATHENIA' SUNK BY GERMAN SUBMARINE 3RD SEPTEMBER 1939'. Sold with six additional related pieces: a fine enameled 'T.S.S. ATHENIA' multi-piece enameled pine, 1 1/8 in.; an 'S.S. ATHENIA' engraved pin in the shape of a maple leaf, marked on verso: 'GOLD FRONT'; two period postcards depicting the doomed vessel, and octavo sheet of unused stationery from the ship; and a copy of the New York Daily News, Sep. 4, 1939, the headline reading: 'BRITISH LINER TORPEDOED AMERICANS AMONG 1,400 ON BOARD' and with a half-page story offering early details of the sinking,the back page reading: 'U.S. WILL STAY OUT - ROOSEVELT'.Unique and important.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000