Latest Guest Announcement: Millvina Dean, Only living Titanic Survivor Options

[lallen]

For those of you who don't know much about Millvina a bit of background info:
Her Parents would have been classified, at the time, as second class citizens and they were travelling from the New Forest to Kansas where her Father was going to open a shop, I believe he was a tobacconist.
They actually booked on another ship to go to America but due to a coal strike, and the fact that it wasn't full for its maiden voyage, they switched onto Titanic and what happened next in that voyage is history.
There were three survivors in the Dean family, Millvina, her Mother and Brother Bertram, who incidently ended up in a different lifeboat and was not seen again by his Mother until they were rescued by the Carpathia.
After the disaster the Deans returned to the New Forest.
I have met Millvina on a number of occassions and she really is one of the most pleasant ladies that I have ever met and tries to never disappoint anyone.
I have seen her sitting at a table for a whole day signing autographs, and because she was popular and did not want to let anyone down she had a sandwich at the table and kept on signing.
Also, don't forget that Millvina has also lived through two World Wars in the Southampton area, which was hit pretty hard by the Luftwaffe.
For those of you who think that Millvina is a good guest, and I have to agree, then I would storngly recomend that you meet her, for those of you who don't think she is a good guest then my suggestion would be don't, but you are the ones that are passing up an opportunity to meet someone who will surprise you.

You decide, or like what happened to Millvina leave it to fate
Les

[GoldenGreen]

I met Milvina a few years ago at the Autographica show in Northampton and she was a very pleasant lady that everyone wanted to meet, inlcuding some of the other guests at the show.

Not only is Milvina the only living survivor left from what was one of the biggest events of the 20th Century, but I think I am right in saying she was also the youngest survivor of the disaster at the time, as she was only about 8 weeks old.

As people of said, she is not going to have her own memories of the actual time, but I am sure that her mother, who survived will have recounted her tale to Milvina and thats about as close as you would get to a first hand account of such a historical moment.

Autograph collecting is not all about film and TV stars and historical characters, or people touched by history are equally important to a lot of Autograph collectors.

Milvina as a passenger and survivor on the Titanic is certainly part of one of the most talked about events of all time.

[fulcrum]

Golden Green and Les (Lallen),
You have both summed it up perfectly.
There is nothing worse than someone who has no interest in Millvina/Titanic and immediately rubbish the guest announcement.

Now I hate the bloody Harry Potter kids, but you don't see me moaning....much!

[Hans_Blaster]

Brilliant that Millvina is a guest again. Real life history guests are excellent ones to get. Met her at other Autographicas and she's always great. The other guests always love to meet her too.

Just some extra info - according to the regularly updated Wikipedia, Millvina isn't the last living survivor, there are now 3 living survivors. As well as Millvina there are Lillian Gertrud Asplund (who lives in US) and Barbara Joyce West (who lives in UK).

But Millvina was the youngest person on board Titanic, so she'll always be that, and shes the only one who attends events now.

If you've not met her before I'd definitely recommend doing so.

The info on Wikipedia is at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliza_Gladys_Milvina_Dean

Info on all 3 on Encyclopedia Titanica -

http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/biography/655/

http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/biography/602/

http://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/biography/772/

And lets get some more real life history guests -

Chuck Yeager

Paul W. Tibbets, Jr. (WW2)

Dambusters survivors, etc


This post has been edited by Hans_Blaster: Apr 17 2006, 03:05 PM

[rich5wolves]

I met MIlvina @ Northampton, she was a wonderful guest and still bright as a button

showmasters, apparently theres another 2 Titanic survivors still alive? care to comment?

[lallen]

Just some extra info - according to the regularly updated Wikipedia, Millvina isn't the last living survivor, there are now 3 living survivors. As well as Millvina there are Lillian Gertrud Asplund (who lives in US) and Barbara Joyce West (who lives in UK).

Before anyone asks Barbara West does not have anything to do with Titanic, and never has, although I believe she keeops in contact with Millvina.
Don't know about Lillian Asplund though you have to remember that the Titanic sank 94 years ago last Saturday, 16th April, at 6:20 am GMT with the difference in time zones.

Rgd
Les

[Hans_Blaster]

Just some extra info - according to the regularly updated Wikipedia, Millvina isn't the last living survivor, there are now 3 living survivors. As well as Millvina there are Lillian Gertrud Asplund (who lives in US) and Barbara Joyce West (who lives in UK).

Before anyone asks Barbara West does not have anything to do with Titanic, and never has, although I believe she keeops in contact with Millvina.
Don't know about Lillian Asplund though you have to remember that the Titanic sank 94 years ago last Saturday, 16th April, at 6:20 am GMT with the difference in time zones.

Rgd
Les

Yes, Millvina is the only one who does Titanic events.

Info on the other 2 from those links I posted above -

Barbara married William Ernest B. Dainton in 1952 and lives today in Truro, England. She is reportedly in good health and still does volunteer work in the area. Mrs Dainton refuses to discuss the disaster, saying she wants "nothing to do with the Titanic people", however does keep in contact with the British Titanic Society.

Lillian Gertrude Asplund is the last living survivor of the Titanic disaster with actual memories of it. She still resides in Massachusetts. Lillian's hobbies, when she was able, included gardening, flowers (especially roses) and it is said her favorite snack is pepperoni pizza. She lives in her home and is cared for by a home health aide. She refuses to discuss the disaster, as did her mother, and shuns any form of publicity.

[orlandopassion]

Wow. What an amazing guest.

I've been fascinated by TITANIC's brief 'life' and tragic end for as long as I can remember - thirty years, at least.

I read everything I can find on or offline about TITANIC and her sister ships OLYMPIC and BRITANNIC.

I say again, WOW.

Pauline X

[rich5wolves]

Wow.  What an amazing guest.

I've been fascinated by TITANIC's brief 'life' and tragic end for as long as I can remember - thirty years, at least.

I read everything I can find on or offline about TITANIC and her sister ships OLYMPIC and BRITANNIC.

I say again, WOW.

Pauline X

ok guest granted but not the only survivor still alive as claimed...

[dufresne]

Rich, mate ! You need to let this go - you'll get an ulcer !!

So you found some website that said two other Titanic survivors were alive a year ago ??? There are two main niggles here :

1. A year is a looooooooooong time to any remaining titanic survivor
2. It may seem strange, but not everything on the internet is true, let alone accurate !!

I hazard an educated guess that SMs and Autographica have done their research here !! It is arguably possible that one or two other survivors may remain, but I think the main point is that they are not in plentiful supply. Even if they were, Milvenna is your only "meet" option.

You don't seem to have grasped that your argument is at best weak, at worst irrelevant !! If I was to get Milvenna Dean's autograph, it would be because she SURVIVED TITANIC !! I'm unlikely to say "Tut, she's not the only one, I won't bother".

[Dave Phillips]

Hello Guys
I don,t normally but i will jump in this time. Millvina Dean is not the only living survivor. Having said that she is the only one that signs. Millvina is our most popular guest by far. How do i know this, it's simple over the years we have had many actors and actresses attend the show. Many were big big names and guess who they wanted to sit next to at the dinner. So i mean this sincerely if you want to meet a real life survivor of the Titanic disaster you better come. Rich you were right to question the statement and i hope i have cleared that one up.
Bring all your Titanic books, Collectables and photos Millvina loves meeting everyone.
Dave Phillips

[Marina]

Thanks Dave, can't wait to meet her, I bet she is brilliant

[DavidB]

So that's Only Living Titanic Survivor Willing To Sign Stuff now

[Marina]

[rich5wolves]

Rich, mate !    You need to let this go - you'll get an ulcer !!

So you found some website that said two other Titanic survivors were alive a year ago ??? There are two main niggles here :

1. A year is a looooooooooong time to any remaining titanic survivor 
2. It may seem strange, but not everything on the internet is true, let alone accurate !!

I hazard an educated guess that SMs and Autographica have done their research here !! It is arguably possible that one or two other survivors may remain, but I think the main point is that they are not in plentiful supply. Even if they were, Milvenna is your only "meet" option.

You don't seem to have grasped that your argument is at best weak, at worst irrelevant !! If I was to get Milvenna Dean's autograph, it would be because she SURVIVED TITANIC !! I'm unlikely to say "Tut, she's not the only one, I won't bother". 

thanks for your reply showmasters, glad its cleared up.

Dufus (Dufresne)- "You don't seem to have grasped that your argument is at best weak, at worst irrelevant !!"

seriously mate, showmasters have answered the question which they say I was right to ask. No-one was arguing anywhere just trying to find out more info on the guest attending. You have the attitude of a twelve year old.

Thanks again showmasters for clearing it up, if i do attend which i dont know at the moment, waiting for Mr Bean to be announced, It wont make much difference as to whether i get an auto from Milvenna as I probably would, just grateful for the extra info.

[rich5wolves]

So that's Only Living Titanic Survivor Willing To Sign Stuff now

excellent!!

[dufresne]

Rich, mate !    You need to let this go - you'll get an ulcer !!

So you found some website that said two other Titanic survivors were alive a year ago ??? There are two main niggles here :

1. A year is a looooooooooong time to any remaining titanic survivor 
2. It may seem strange, but not everything on the internet is true, let alone accurate !!

I hazard an educated guess that SMs and Autographica have done their research here !! It is arguably possible that one or two other survivors may remain, but I think the main point is that they are not in plentiful supply. Even if they were, Milvenna is your only "meet" option.

You don't seem to have grasped that your argument is at best weak, at worst irrelevant !! If I was to get Milvenna Dean's autograph, it would be because she SURVIVED TITANIC !! I'm unlikely to say "Tut, she's not the only one, I won't bother". 

thanks for your reply showmasters, glad its cleared up.

Dufus (Dufresne)- "You don't seem to have grasped that your argument is at best weak, at worst irrelevant !!"

seriously mate, showmasters have answered the question which they say I was right to ask. No-one was arguing anywhere just trying to find out more info on the guest attending. You have the attitude of a twelve year old.

Thanks again showmasters for clearing it up, if i do attend which i dont know at the moment, waiting for Mr Bean to be announced, It wont make much difference as to whether i get an auto from Milvenna as I probably would, just grateful for the extra info.

Why in GOD'S name did you harp on so much about it if it won't influence your decision to get her auto

I didn't mean argument in the "stomp stomp, I'm taking my ball back" sense, I meant your persistent insistence on her not being the only (there is more than one meaning of "argument" !!

You have just underlined how irrellevant your ARGUMENT actually was. Even if she was the only survivor, which (fair enough) she isn't, it won't play a part in what you do ....... so who actually cares ????? Sorry if I am missing something ......

[rich5wolves]

Rich, mate !    You need to let this go - you'll get an ulcer !!

So you found some website that said two other Titanic survivors were alive a year ago ??? There are two main niggles here :

1. A year is a looooooooooong time to any remaining titanic survivor 
2. It may seem strange, but not everything on the internet is true, let alone accurate !!

I hazard an educated guess that SMs and Autographica have done their research here !! It is arguably possible that one or two other survivors may remain, but I think the main point is that they are not in plentiful supply. Even if they were, Milvenna is your only "meet" option.

You don't seem to have grasped that your argument is at best weak, at worst irrelevant !! If I was to get Milvenna Dean's autograph, it would be because she SURVIVED TITANIC !! I'm unlikely to say "Tut, she's not the only one, I won't bother". 

thanks for your reply showmasters, glad its cleared up.

Dufus (Dufresne)- "You don't seem to have grasped that your argument is at best weak, at worst irrelevant !!"

seriously mate, showmasters have answered the question which they say I was right to ask. No-one was arguing anywhere just trying to find out more info on the guest attending. You have the attitude of a twelve year old.

Thanks again showmasters for clearing it up, if i do attend which i dont know at the moment, waiting for Mr Bean to be announced, It wont make much difference as to whether i get an auto from Milvenna as I probably would, just grateful for the extra info.

Why in GOD'S name did you harp on so much about it if it won't influence your decision to get her auto

I didn't mean argument in the "stomp stomp, I'm taking my ball back" sense, I meant your persistent insistence on her not being the only (there is more than one meaning of "argument" !!

You have just underlined how irrellevant your ARGUMENT actually was. Even if she was the only survivor, which (fair enough) she isn't, it won't play a part in what you do ....... so who actually cares ????? Sorry if I am missing something ......

Dear Showmasters,

Please forgive me for wanting to know more information about a guest you have appearing at the show. It is wrong of me to show an interest in someones background, regardless of what they have done in their life.
I understand I have offended another board member by asking you questions and apparently arguing about a guests background, for this I am truly sorry.
I will never show an interest in a guest again and although you were more than happy to answer my question the other board member cannot handle such informative queries.
It has become apparent that even though it wouldnt effect whether I got a signature or not from the guest, it is offensive to ask for information regarding them.

Sorry again.


P.S. DUFRESNE - YOU REALLY ARE A DUFUS!!!

This post has been edited by rich5wolves: May 7 2006, 08:59 PM

[TommyT]

So that's Only Living Titanic Survivor Willing To Sign Stuff now

and now one of only two still-living survivors; the death of Lillian Asplund was announced on the radio this morning.

[dufresne]

Rich,

Your whole "grievance", "complaint", "concern" call it what you will, was that she WASN'T the only remaining survivor. My point was what did it matter ?

You kept posting about this "false advertising" that SMs were doing, but now suddenly you just wanted background info on her ? You were perfectly capable of doing that for yourself when you supposedly discovered two more survivors who were alive A YEAR AGO !!!

Given your most recent post, NOW who has the attitude of a twelve year old !!???

Case closed.