Millvina Dean: The Youngest Survivor of the Titanic Disaster

Millvina Dean embarked on her fateful journey aboard the RMS Titanic as a mere nine-week-old infant, accompanied by her parents and elder brother. Little did she know that this voyage would etch her name into history as the youngest survivor of the Titanic disaster.

Hamilton with Millvina Dean (aged 90, centre) and Nikki Bland

Born Elizabeth Gladys Dean in London in 1912, her family's decision to immigrate to Wichita, Kansas, was driven by dreams of a new life and the prospect of opening a tobacco shop. Originally scheduled to sail on another White Star liner, fate intervened, redirecting them to the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic. When tragedy struck on 14 April 1912, Millvina, along with her mother and brother, found themselves among the fortunate few to escape the sinking ship aboard Lifeboat 10. Their rescue by the Carpathia marked a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos and loss. Her father, however, was not so lucky and was one of the 1,500 who perished. 

In her later years, Millvina embraced her unique place in history, attending Titanic-related events and even voyaging across the Atlantic on the Queen Elizabeth 2. However, her disdain for trivialising the tragedy remained evident, as she criticised depictions of the Titanic in popular culture. As fate would have it, Millvina Dean's passing in 2009 marked the end of an era, coinciding with the anniversary of the Titanic's hull launch, closing a chapter on a remarkable life intertwined with one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

Hamilton, from Rare Memorabilia, found himself in a serendipitous moment at the Titanic 2002 event where Millvina Dean, the youngest survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster, was in attendance. As he glanced across the room, he spotted her seated gracefully at a table, a glass of wine in hand, amidst a group of Americans. Filled with a sense of honour and admiration, Hamilton approached her and offered a Gin and Orange, to which she eagerly replied, 'God yes.' However, when he inquired about ice, her response was firm and resolute, 'never with ice!' In that brief exchange, Hamilton felt a profound connection to history and humanity, sharing a moment with someone who had lived through one of the most legendary maritime tragedies.

Rare memorabilia currently offers two pieces of personally signed Titanic memorabilia all signed by Millvina Dean:

1. A framed photo of a poster for White Star Line’s Olympic and Titanic Signed by Millvina Dean and

2. A framed photograph of a London newspaper seller with banner announcing the loss of SS Titanic in 1912 signed by Millvina Dean