The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-08-25
PRECIOUS STONES.
Driillants worth Millions Owned by Ameri-
can Connoisseurs. -

and precious stones took place on May
~ and Ia. 1856, when tho famous coll
lection formed by the late Henry Phil
lip Hope. and exhibited at tho South
Kenslngton Museum for many years,
was sold ut auction. The Hope collec.
tion included tho sapphire merveilleaux
OF Mmo. do Gonlis' Tales OF the Cas-
tle;" the king Of candy's cats eye, tho
largest known. having diameter OF
an inch and half; tho Mexican sun
opal, carved with the head OF u Mexi-
can sun god. and historically known
since tho sixteenth century; an enor-
nous pearl, tho largest known. weigh
length; tho aquamarine sword hilt
made by MuraS, King OF Naples, and
also many curious diamonds sap
lphircs, emeralds and several hun
,dred unique and magnificent gema
Such a collection should be preserved
intact rs National possession. In
1886 II was decided by tho French As
'sembly that the crown jewels, with tho
exception OF tho famous Regent dia-
'mond, two Of tho mazarincs. and n few
historic pieces reserved for tho ma
itional museums. should be sold az pub
lie auction. These exceptions wcro
made because IL was feared that thoy
would fall into the hands OF tho Amer
leans. The salo OF this great historic
collection took place In May. 1887.
The ~ parcels wero subdivided into
lac lots, and there wcro G8 buyers, ~
OF whom bought over 1000, 900 francs
worth each. Tho largest lot. the great
corsago which sold for 6il, 900 francs.
was purchased by single American
firm tho largost buyer In tho sale.
The purchase Of tho firm amounted 20
2,250,6O0 francs, or about "a per cent
OF the entire sum realized, whilo as TO
quality, tho samo Grm obtained moro
than two-thiryls OF tho finest gems.
Among them wcro tho throo mazar-
ines; n pear-shaped roso brilliant,
weighing "a 27-S3 carats. for
l28,000 francs; poar-shapod
white brilliant, weighing 22t carats.
Tor $1,000 francs; white brilliant,
weighing 20 ZIG carats, for los. 900
francs. and an oval brilliant, weigh
Ing IL 1852 carats, for II 1000 francs. or
435, 900 francs for tho four. All but
ono OF their purchases were secured
by private American customers. Tho
great interest attached 20 this sale was
duo not only % tho fact that many OF
tho gems were Of very fine quality,
but also 20 thcir historic associations.
The history OF many OF them could bo
traced back several hundred ycarA In
It's way this salo did more than any
thing that had before occurred 20 os-
tablish reputation abroad for Ameri-
can taste. wealth and enterprise. Tho
collection OF antique gems, numbering
33l pieces, formed by Rev. G. w.
King. OF Trinity College, England. tho
greatest OF all writer's on engraved
gems, was sent 20 tho United States
for sale in 1881. This collection
represents the keystone and tho sum
ming up OF Mr.. Kings vast knowledge,
ind mono has over been moro thorough
ly studied. His numerous writings
mark an epoch In tho study OF this
branch OF arch zoology. and only tho
loss OF his sight led him 20 part with
his treasures. The growing interest
and taste in archaeological matters In
tho United States induced him 20 send
IL here % bo sold intact In October.
1881. through the neutrality-suspicious. OF
Mr.. Feuardent, IL was purchased md
presented 20 the Metropolitan Museum
OF Art by Mr.. John Taylor johnson.
then president OF the museum wbcro
IL has since reposcd. Near IL will bo
placed the Somerville collection. Mr..
Somervillc, n Virginian by birth, md
q gentleman Of fortune and artistic
tastes, while spending tho past thirty
two years OF his life in Europe. Asia
and Africa, has collected canoes, In
taglios, seals md other historical
gems; and, as result OF his liberal
expenditures Of time and money. no IL
to-day tho owner OF one OF the most
unique und valuable collections Of on
craven gems in tho world, num-
bering over fifteen hundred spoc-
linens, including Egyptian. Por-
sian, Babyionian, Etruscan, Crock.
Roman, Aztec and Mexican
glyptic or iewel-oarving art. All Of
these arc represented by specimens OF
singular excellence, aifording us pan
oramio view OF the achievements Of
civilized men in this direction OF
greater antiquity and archeologio
value, because representing n period
before gems were cut In, the form Of
Is the collection OF Rev. w.
Hayes Ward, consisting Of three hum
drcd Babylonian, Persian ,and other
cylinders Two hundred Of these ho
himself collected In Babylon and its
vicinity. and sold - tho museum at a
normal figure. Since that time ho has
collected one hundrcdlmOre cylinders.
Many OF them date from 300 Is. 9. 70
800 B. C.. and are cut i'm lapis lazuli.
agate, carnolian, brmatito, ,chalcedony
jasper. sard. etc.---N y Prss5.
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