Titanic's Launch in Belfast: Five Never-Before-Seen Photos

Some previously never-before-seen photos of the infamous RMS Titanic’s 1911 launch at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland are being revealed for the first time along with other Titanic items set to be auctioned off later this month.

According to the auctioneer Henry Aldridge & Son, the previously unknown photos were included in a set of five glass plate positives showing the launch of the Titanic in Belfast on May, 31, 1911. The photos were taken by a Belfast businessman and are being sold via direct descent having been in the family since they were taken. The set also includes a sixth photo showing Titanic’s sister ship Olympic next to the 150 ton crane decorated with flags prior to her maiden voyage.

The set of six photos is expected to fetch between £5,000 and £6,000 GBP, the auctioneer estimates.

The auction is being held by Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes, UK on October 24th, 2015. Along with other Titanic items, such as a photograph purported to show the iceberg that is believed to have sunk the Titanic on April 15, 1912, the auction will include items related to the Hindenburg disaster.

The photos of the Titanic’s launch below are courtesy Henry Aldridge & Son: