Among the 1500 who died in the disaster were dozens of Jews, of whom Sinai Kantor was one. Miriam Kantor survived because priority on the ship’s few lifeboats having been given to women and children.
Sinai Kantor’s body was one of hundreds pulled from the water ten days later, as part of an operation to recover as many of the victims as possible.
After significant legal effort, his widow was able to recover some of his effects, including his Russian passport, assorted currency, and his pocket watch. He was subsequently buried at Mount Zion cemetery in Queens, New York.
The winning bid came from John Miottel, a collector of timepieces associated with the Titanic’s passengers and those who took part in the rescue operation.
Mr Miottel, who operates a museum in California, said his new acquisition would “take one of the primary spots in our collection.”
