Original Swan Hunter Receipt for Cunard Shipping for the Building of SS CarpathiaAn extremely rare original receipt from the famous ship builders of Newcastle, Swan & Hunter for the Cunard steam shipping company for monies received toward the costs of building the SS CarpathiaThe receipt thanks Cunard for two cheques received amounting to £40,000, which was a part payment on account. The document is dated Wednesday 6th May 1903 which is the day after the vessel set sail on her maiden voyage.SS Carpathia and her captain Arthur Rostron became famous for rescuing the survivors of the RMS Titanic on the morning of April 15th 1912. Carpathia herself suffered a sad end when she was torpedoed off the east coast of of Ireland by the German submarine U55 on the 17th July 1918. The wreck was found in the spring of 2000 at a depth of 500ft, 120 miles west of Fastnet, Ireland. The wreck was said to be upright on the seabed.In superb condition with only minor age wear this piece is absolutely museum quality. There are no tears and only the original folds to allow it into the envelope are present. The print is very strong and it would display beautifully (out of direct sunshine!). It features a one penny stamp which is over signed on behalf of Swan Hunter ltdI spoke to Swan Hunter a couple of years ago when I first bought this piece and they have no record of what the cost to build the Carpathia was but this receipt is said to be one of only two now in existence. I believe the other is in the US but I haven’t actually seen it.   An incredible piece to add to any serious Titanic or Cunard collection it is with great pain that I must now part with it…Please do see my other pieces which I must now unfortunately also sell.

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