AN "EXTREMELY rare" poster advertising the doomed Titanic's return voyage from New York to Europe could fetch up to £80,000 at auction.

The poster was printed before the liner struck an iceberg and sank in the early hours of April 15 1912 – after setting off on its maiden voyage from Southampton.

It features an image of the Titanic's sister ship, the almost identical Olympic, which was often used for promotional material.

More than 1,500 of the ship's 2,206 passengers and crew died in the disaster – many of them from Southampton.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said only "a couple" of these posters exist today, either in museums or private collections.

"This poster is one of the rarest Titanic posters in existence," Mr Aldridge said.

Material relating to Titanic's voyage from New York that never happened is virtually non-existent.

"These posters would have been displayed in New York because that was where Titanic was meant to have sailed from and used to promote the return journey to Southampton.

 

"Shortly after Titanic sank they were destroyed but remarkably this one survived, it is one of only a handful still in existence."

The poster is presented in a period oak frame, with fold marks, and in an original unrestored condition.

Text on it states: "First sailing of the latest addition to the White Star Line fleet, the Queen of the Ocean, Titanic.

"This, the latest, largest and finest steamer afloat, will sail from White Star Line, Pier 59 (North River), New York, Saturday April 20th at 12noon.

"All passengers berthed in closed rooms containing 2,4 or 6 berths, a large number equipped with washstands etc."

It is expected to fetch between £60,000 and £80,000 when it goes under the hammer at Henry Aldridge and Son in Devizes, Wiltshire, on Saturday.

A pair of brass lifeboat plaques from the ill-fated liner will also be up for sale.

The first depicts the White Star Line house flag with original paint and patina, with the second bearing the letters S.S. Titanic.

They were sold at Christie's New York specialist maritime sale in 1991 and were catalogued as being acquired directly by a city policeman in 1912.

Mr Aldridge added: "Lifeboat plaques from the Titanic rarely if ever come to market, and the opportunity to acquire a pair of lifeboat plaques is almost unknown."

The plaques are expected to fetch between £50,000 and £70,000 when they are sold on Saturday.