Biologist reveals the most valuable package lost on board the Titanic.

Lost Treasures from the Titanic

The most valuable package lost on the Titanic consisted of over 40 boxes of exotic feathers, insured for over $2 million. These feathers came from 'large' birds and were intended for New York milliners, writes biologist Scott Travers for Forbes, according to 'Glavcom'.

Among other losses was the painting by Merry-Joseph Blondel 'Circassian in the Bath', which was sued for $100,000 (equivalent to $2 million); a luxury edition of Omar Khayyam's 'Rubaiyat'; five Steinway pianos; a 1912 Renault car; first editions of Francis Bacon; porcelain and opium.

At the beginning of the 20th century, hat fashion in the USA required more and more feathers. The demand for feathers from herons, ostriches, and other birds was rising due to milliners like Caroline Reboux and Lily Dash. This led to the mass extermination of birds.

The Carolina parakeet was hit hardest, hunted for its bright plumage to make hats. Active hunting during its breeding season quickly led to the species' extinction.

The creation of the Audubon Society and the passage of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918 were important steps in wildlife conservation. However, it was already too late for the Carolina parakeet - it became a victim of fashion, which soon lost its relevance.

Recall that a pocket watch found among the belongings of a passenger who perished in the Titanic disaster could be sold at auction for up to £50,000.

After excavations and studies of the losses from the Titanic, it turned out that among many valuables was exotic feathers for New York milliners. This reminded us of the tragic history of hat fashion and the extermination of countless birds. The lost feathers became a symbol of the victims of fashion, which disappeared along with the extinction of the Carolina parakeet.