News release: Valuable find leads students on voyage of discovery

Abstract

Two antiques students from the University of Central Lancashire have already put their
training to good use when they unearthed a treasure which may have come from the
wreckage of one of the most famous ships in history.
A White Star Line deckchair, possibly salvaged from RMS Titanic has been gathering
dust in the family home of Marcus Hilton, a student on the BA(Hons) Antiques and
Design Studies course. As a child, Marcus was told a little of the chair's history and
now both he and his wife Cathy are keen to gain authentication for their fmd.
'We have approached the Titanic Society to fmd out how to go about gaining some idea
of the chair's history", says Marcus. "Unfortunately, it will cost a great deal of money
to conduct research and obtain verification of its origins."
Should the chair be confirmed as coming from the Titanic, the difference in its value
will increase from around £5,000 up to £40,000.
Studying for a qualification in Antiques and Design Studies has certainly stimulated
Marcus and Cathy's imagination and encouraged them play an active role in the search
for antiques and collectables. They are part of a group of ten students currently working
towards a qualification on the only national course which specialises in antiques and
which can boast the BBC' s Antiques Road Show expert Eric Knowles as guest lecturer
and advisor.
19 August 2002
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Note: For further information please contact James Battersby, Department of Design,
University of Central Lancashire, tel: 01772 893363 or Pam Culley, University Media
Office, tel: 01772 892486.