In August 1987, Titanic Ventures Limited Partnership (predecessor to RMS Titanic, Inc.) contracted with IFREMER, the French oceanographic research institute, to conduct approximately 60 days of research and recovery operations at the Titanic wreck site.

Using IFREMER's state-of-the-art technology, including the manned submersible Nautile, the expedition team recovered some 1,800 objects in the course of 23 dives. Some of the significant pieces were instruments from the stern Docking Bridge, a decorative cherub (87/0286), originally located on the aft Grand Staircase, and several pursers' or leather traveling bags (87/0103), one which contained banknotes (87/0097.740), coins (87/0068A.02) and assorted jewelry (87/0065), (87/0082), (87/0071).