The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-06-29
THE HOPE DIAMOND.
Senator Clark Said to Have His Eye
on the Gem.

Senator Clark Said to Have His Eye
on the Gem.
From the New York Journal.
Negotiations for the sale of the fam
Gus Hope diamond to a rich American
have been in progress ever since the
big blue gem was brought to the Unit
ed States last November.
The price of the diamond is $780,
900.
brokers. who brought the stone to
America, are authority for the state
ment that deal for it's sale is almost
consummated and may be closed at
any moment.
They decline to give the name of
the prospective purchaser, but refused
yesterday to deny the report that
United States Senator w. A. Clark
of Montana, the Copper King, expects
to become the owner of the celebrated
jewel.
1t is known that the Hope diamond
was recently sent to Senator Clark's
office, al No. 40 Wall street, and that
he examined it with great interest
While he has never been known as
a collector of rare gems. he is shown
in Europe and America as a large
purchaser of paintings and cc=tly
works of arts.
1T is true that We expect to have
the Hope diamond definitely sold in a
short time-possibly in a few days"
said ID. j. Frankel. of the firm of dia-
mond brokers, yesterday. while we
cannot give the name of the prospec-
tive customer, we will admit that ne
gotiations have been going on for some
time"
is Senator Clark the man to whom
you expect to sell the diamond" was
asked.
Il cannot give you any information
as to the man. said Mr.. Frankel
You must bear in mind, however.
that there are very few men in America
who could afford to tie up d fortune
in single stone. Senator Clark I'M
doubtedly could afford to do it if he
wanted to-"
What is the price that you are ask
ing for the diamond"
Five hundred thousand dollars. 8"
said Mr.. Frankel.
At Senator Clark's Office it was said
that he had gone to Washington to at
tend the session of the Senate to-mor-
row.
The Hope diamond came to the
United States on Nov. 26, 1901. 1t was
brought over by Simon Frankel of the
firm of Joseph Frankers Sons of Mas
sau street. The diamond was brought
in the safe of the German liner Kron-
prinz Wilhelm in a plain pine case
screwed to "A shelf
The Hope diamond is one of these
rarest of gems. perfect blue diamond
1t weighs Ass carats, and is cushion
shaped, rejecting = deep sapphire blue
light from nearly 200 facets. As to it's
origin, that like the history of many
other famous gems. Is shrouded in
mystery. In its present size and form
II dates back only to 1888, but there is
good reason TO believe that II is half
OF what was once the celebrated Tav-
ernier diamond. one of the crown Jew
els of King Louis XN.-The Kohinoor
OF the French crown.
The Tavernier diamond was bought
In India In the early part of the eigh-
teenth century by a French traveller
II was said at that time 10 have been
one Of the royal jewels OF the Pha-
roahs Of Egypt. Al any rate, il was
brought 10 France and sold TO the
King
In 1922 n was seized by the revolu-
tionists along with the other crown
Jewels and placed in a strong box IN
the 6ardemeuble From there IL was
stolen more than 100 years ago. and
20 trace ~ m has ever been found in
Ellison appeared iu London with
blue diamond about half the size ~
the missing faYcrnior gem ~ hich
hf could size uo history This vac sold
70 ten3 Thomas nope. ancestor 81