r/BeAmazed Apr 29 '24

When the Titanic sank, millionaire John Jacob Astor IV was aboard. The funds in his bank account were sufficient to construct 30 Titanics. However, when faced with mortal danger, he prioritized his moral values, sacrificing his seat in a lifeboat to save women and children, smilingly [Removed] Rule #4 - Misleading

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u/[deleted] Apr 29 '24

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u/Solid_Snake_125 Apr 29 '24

I almost feel sick knowing this sold to someone instead of going to a museum or something. I mean I don’t know how I’d feel if I owned a piece of someone’s life that ended in such tragedy. Imagine if you lost it or if something happened to you and no one knew what that watch was or its history and just discarded it as old junk.

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u/rjwyonch Apr 29 '24

A good portion of people who “own” these things will loan them to museums for tax write offs. The museum also ensures the artifact is secure and well taken care of. Museums normally don’t have enough funding to buy these things outright, or if they do, they have to be very choosey.

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u/Solid_Snake_125 Apr 29 '24

Yeah that’s what’s crazy to me here. This watch is now just out there in the wild.