Remembering a date

Hannah_Alumni

When we remember historical dates it's usually because of school, because of adverts (anyone else get Hastings 1066 stuck in their head?) or because it makes such an impact on you.

Today, on 15th April 1912, the RMS Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean. It's an event that had an impact on me since my school years and a date that I always remember. 

I woke this morning to read an article that has made me feel conflicted. 

Seen in The Metro, the article reports how a plan used in the inquiry investigating the ship’s sinking, is up for auction. With a possibility of it fetching upwards of £200,000 it raises many questions for me.

Why was it allowed to be sold to a private collector in the first place? and Why is it allowed to be sold again?

This plan of the HMS Titanic has been on display at the Titanic Exhibition in Belfast since 2012 and seen by millions of people. I feel, although it was commissioned for the inquiry, it has historical value and should be treated as such.

What do you think? Should the plans continue to stay at the Titanic Exhibition? 

Sandy_123

I would say it should stay or at least a copy of it  maybe they need the funds if its owned by the museum. I would like to go there 1 day

Hannah_Alumni

I can understand them needing the funds. I can't imagine how much it would cost to keep it in good condition!
It's just such a shame they have to buy and sell these historical pieces. Renting to other museums would be beneficial as then those who cannot travel could get to see them. 

Beaver79

I think it should stay at the Exhibition to be shared by everyone not just owned by someone rich enough to buy it. 

Sandy_123

I think if they kept a copy on display then people could still see it

Beaver79

Even museums who have legal title to collection items cannot freely reproduce these items unless they have authorisation from the rights owner.

https://www.copyrightuser.org/educate/intermediaries/museums-and-galleries

Hannah_Alumni

@Beaver79 I didn't know that, it's quite common to make a digital archive of collections so I wonder if that would fall under a different purview?

Beaver79

Not sure @Hannah_Scope Copyright is a mine field.

rebel11

Hannah_Scope said:

@Beaver79 I didn't know that, it's quite common to make a digital archive of collections so I wonder if that would fall under a different purview?

I agree with it 100%. There are war torn countries that have been trying to reconstruct 'digital museums', simply because they can't preserve their heritage and culture any other way, because the actual museum has been destroyed and artifacts has been stolen. Once the Meta universe is created we will all be 'zeros and ones' and emiersed in the experience.  

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/mar/23/10-of-the-worlds-best-virtual-museum-and-art-gallery-tours

Hannah_Alumni

@Beaver79 It is indeed! I have many friends with their own businesses and when they see licensed characters being used on Etsy or other websites they always wonder how they get away with it. 

@rebel11 That's an amazing article, thank you for sharing I think I'll be travelling through Rome later! 
I've had discussions before about seeing it virtually vs seeing it in real life vs seeing a copy and there is always the opinion that seeing the real thing in person is the best, but being able to see it at all is an opportunity you can't pass up. 

66Mustang

I don't really have an opinion as I don't believe I have enough knowledge on the subject to form one.

However one thing I would ask...

If the sale of any item with historical value was to be banned, who decides what has historical value?

There are lots and lots of items sold every day that could have historical value. Like items belonging to famous people, items from war, cars.

Classic cars are a good example. If it got to a point where only one example of a classic car remained in the world, it has historical importance, should it be preserved somewhere and not allowed to be sold?

Just something I was wondering. Not intending to start an argument.

Hannah_Alumni

No that's a very good point @66Mustang! Especially as thinking about it, if you have Disney Plus, there is a series called Props. I didn't realise how many people have movie and tv memorabilia and how the value to one person vs another was so different. Disney have tried to get as much of it back, not realising the impact Disney would have on so many. 

I think, if the piece in question is of historical value, i.e. something that tells us about the past, shows how the past lived, what they wore, their form of entertainment, their way of defending, cooking...etc then I think the value of that shouldn't have a monetary price tag. It's world history. Like with this map, it's part of a inquiry into a historical event.

But memorabilia like you mentioned, if it is someone's to give away or to sell then I feel that would be up to the person. 

I don't know much about cars I'm afraid , but agree if there is only one left it should be preserved.