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The missing violin played by the Titanic’s bandleader as the liner slowly sank could have been found… 99 years on.

Wallace Hartley and his seven fellow musicians became an ­enduring part of the Titanic story – heroically playing on until waist-deep in water as they disappeared beneath the waves.

According to some reports, Hartley’s violin was found strapped to his chest in its case when his body was ­recovered from the icy Atlantic. But the precious gift from his fiancée Maria Robinson wasn’t there when the 33-year-old’s body was ­repatriated to Britain for his ­funeral.

And it has been missing ever since, baffling historians and tantalising Titantic treasure-hunters as to its whereabouts.

Now, in a remarkable twist, the violin appears to have been found — and is undergoing tests at a specialist auction house to ensure its authenticity. But experts are so sure it is Hartley’s violin they are planning to take it on a world tour before putting it up for sale next year – the centenary of the sinking. It is likely to fetch more than ­£1million.

Author Steve Turner, who has discovered pictures of the violin, said: “Other than retrieving the bow of the ship, this must be the most symbolic artefact of the Titanic sinking ever likely to be sold.

“Everyone concerned has been sworn to secrecy. Other than ­admitting to me the violin exists and that the photos I saw were genuine, the auctioneers won’t be giving out any more information until an announcement is made about its sale.”

All eight members of Hartley’s band played on as the ship sank 400 miles off Newfoundland, Canada, on April 14, 1912. Reports vary as to the last song they played, but most agree it was the poignant hymn Nearer, My God, to Thee.

Survivors recall the band ­striking up playful ­ragtime tunes, ­including ­Alexander’s Ragtime Band, as the liner began to go down.

The story ­became a defining ­image of British calmness in the face of adversity and was immortalised in the 1997 movie Titanic.

Reports at the time said ­Hartley, from Colne, Lancs, was found fully dressed still clutching his violin. But the Office of the Provincial ­Secretary in Nova Scotia did not list it among the effects of Body 224.

It was not handed to Hartley’s father, Albion, who collected his son’s body at Liverpool docks after repatriation – two years after Hartley and Maria had got engaged.

Mr Turner found ­photos of a violin, leather case and sheet music during ­research for his book The Band That Played On.

He says: “Someone with a knowledge of the Titanic was trying to authenticate the story. The most convincing thing about the violin, which was in a brown leather case with the ­initials W. H. H stamped on it, is the ­inscription on the tail-piece, ‘For Wallace on the occasion of our engagement, from Maria’.”

Maria was left bereft by Hartley’s death. She moved to Bridlington, East Yorks, and never married.

Mr Turner says the photos back up claims by the unnamed owner – believed to a male relative of Maria’s – that Maria retrieved it.

Among evidence is a draft letter to the Nova Scotia authorities in Maria’s 1912 diary. It says: “I would be most grateful if you could convey my heartfelt thanks to all who have made possible the return of my late fiancé’s violin.”

Steve, who has written ­biographies of Cliff Richard and Marvin Gaye, says: “This seemed not only to explain why she wanted it back so badly and why it didn’t automatically go to ­Hartley’s parents, but perhaps why Hartley kept it with him.”

A spokesman for auctioneers Henry Aldridge and Son said: “We are in the process of running a number of tests.”

 The Band That Played On by Steve Turner is published by Thomas Nelson.