Titanic survivor's light-up cane goes for $62,500 at auction

July 22, 2019 12:00 am • Last Updated: July 23, 2019 7:27 pm

This 2019 file photo provided by Guernsey's Auction House shows a walking cane that was owned by Titanic survivor Ella White. The cane, contained a built-in electric light that she used to signal from a lifeboat. Guernsey's said Monday, July 22, 2019, that the cane sold for $62,500 during an auction of several maritime items in Newport, R.I. (Rafael Zegarra/Guernsey's Auction House via AP, File)

PROVIDENCE (AP) — A Titanic survivor's walking stick with an electric light she used to signal for help from a lifeboat has sold for $62,500 at an auction of maritime items in Rhode Island.

Guernsey's auction house held the auction in Newport on Friday and Saturday. Guernsey's President Arlan Ettinger said Monday the top bid on Ella White's cane was $50,000, plus the surcharge added by the auction house.

The pre-auction estimate had been $300,000 to $500,000.

The walking stick was consigned to Guernsey's by the Williams family in Milford, Conn.

Ettinger says some family members contested the sale. The issue was resolved before the auction, but the dispute may have made potential bidders nervous.

Ettinger says the winning bidder said he was there on behalf of a friend in the United Kingdom.

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