
Looking out to sea with a telescope, this is the captain of the Titanic four years before the doomed 1912 voyage.

The image is one of five never-before-seen photographs of Captain Edward Smith that were uncovered by a collector among a 'lucky dip' assortment of 2,000 slides.

In a series of candid snapshots, Captain Smith is seen in full dress uniform as he carries out his duties on board the RMS Adriatic in 1908. In one he talks to a passenger on board the 730ft vessel, in another he walks the deck with a senior officer.

At the time he was the most revered commander White Star Line and became known as the 'Millionaire's Captain' because he was at the helm of every new transatlantic liner, including the Titanic's maiden voyage in April 1912.

The slides are expected to fetch as much as £3,000 when they are auctioned this week.

Expert Andrew Aldridge said: ' Captain Edward Smith was a bit of a celebrity so its conceivable passengers took photographs of him like these. Despite this there aren't that many pictures of him that are out there.

'The images aren't posed and are quite candid and show him in full uniform going about his duties on the Adriatic, much like he would have done on the Titanic.'

The four slides make up a collection of 40 that shows life on board the Adriatic, the lifeboats and images of Belfast. They are being auctioned at Henry Aldridge and Son in Devizes, Wiltshire, on October 22.

Respected leader: Captain Edward Smith, left, looking out to sea with a telescope on board the RMS Adriatic in 1908, right

Never-before-seen: This image of Captain Smith walking to the bridge is one of five slides uncovered by a collector

Candid: In a quiet moment on board the RMS Adriatic, Captain Smith, right, is seen chatting with a passenger

Life on ship: Captain Smith is seen walking along the deck with senior members of his crew on board the RMS Adriatic