Pigeon Forge, TN, USA /PRWEB/ — For the first and only time in the United States, the iconic violin used by Wallace Hartley, bandmaster of the Titanic, was unveiled to the public 10 a.m. May 22 at Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and will be displayed until July 27.
The historic violin has had its share of controversy and some have disputed its authenticity. However, with the assistance of some leading experts in their respective fields, an extensive provenance package now exists and according to officials with the Titanic Museum Attractions and leading Titanic experts, the violin belonged to Wallace Hartley.
After the violin is displayed, it will be auctioned off by Henry Aldridge and Son Oct. 19 in England.
Widely regarded as the world’s leading experts in the sale of RMS Titanic memorabilia, Henry Aldridge and Son have unparalleled experience in auctioning the rarest memorabilia ever to be offered and describe the Hartley Violin as “the Holy Grail.”
“My visit to Pigeon Forge with the Hartley Violin is the culmination of nearly seven years of research,” said Alan Aldridge, Principal of Henry Aldridge and Son. “I hope my visit to the Titanic Museum Attractions will enable their guests to understand the importance of the Wallace Hartley story.”
A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to Strings Crossings, an intensive summer camp for violin, viola, cello and bass students in grades eight through 12 conducted at Belmont University’s comprehensive School of Music.