Description

Description: Maud Powell (1867-1920) boldly signed this small card while on the R.M.S. Baltic on New Year’s Day, 1905.

Maud Powell was a world-renowned violinist who was celebrated for her skill and virtuosity. Powell began violin lessons at age seven and was soon recognized as a prodigy. She studied under Henry Schradieck at the Leipzig Conservatoire, Charles Dancla at the Paris Conservatoire (after placing first in the entrance exam), and Joseph Joachim at the Berlin Hochschule, among others. Powell was soloist in the first American performances of the Tchaikovsky and Sibelius violin concertos and performed Dvořák’s Violin Concerto on April 7, 1894, with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of Anton Seidl in Carnegie Hall under the supervision of the composer.

The RMS Baltic was an ocean liner  of the White Star Line that sailed between 1904 and 1932. Baltic served between Liverpool and New York and was involved in a few minor incidents during her career. She distinguished herself especially in 1909 when she came to the aid of the Republic and the Florida that had collided with each other. The Baltic’s rescue of all passengers drew attention to the important role that the new wireless telegraphy technology could play in ensuring safety at sea. In April 1912, the Baltic also picked up distress signals from the Titanic, but was too far away to intervene during the latter’s sinking.

2 7/8″ x 3 7/8″. Item #A01928

Condition: Mounting remnants on verso, otherwise very good condition.