Titanic – Autograph – Royalty – Edward VIII document signed by Edward, as Prince of Wales and Grand Master of the Order of the British Empire (the document bears a facsimile signature of George V to head), conferring an OBE on Lt David Blair, Royal Naval Reserve, partially printed document on 2pp folio paper, dated January 1st 1918. A curiously important document from its associations with the Titanic disaster. Blair was originally assigned to be Second in Command on the Titanic but was reassigned days before its fateful maiden voyage in 1912. Unfortunately, Blair forgot to return the key to the cabinet in the crow’s nest on the vessel and it is said that this contained the binoculars which could have allowed the crew member to identify the fateful iceberg in sufficient time for the ship to take evasive action. This Blair’s mistake could be taken to be the one which led to the tragedy ! However it might have happened anyway as in 1914 Blair was reprimanded as he was the navigator on the RMS Oceanic when it ran aground west of Shetland. Together with a certificate issued by the Royal Humane Society in 1913 awarding Blair its bronze medal. At this time Blair was First Officer on the ‘Majestic’ and won the award for trying to rescue a crew member who had jumped overboard. Second certificate somewhat scuffed, frayed and bearing a few close tears, OBE certificate in fine condition.