The Washington times., 1903-10-25
COSTLY THIMBLE OWNED
BY THE QUEEN OF SIAM
Presented by Her Husband, and Said
to Be Worth $4,000.

The costliest thimble in the world is
undoubtedly one possessed by the Queen
OF Slam 1t was presented to her by her
husband, the King, who had IL made at
a cost OF rather more than 915.0OO. This
thimble is quite an exquisite work OF art.
1t is made of pure gold, in the fashion
or shape of half-opened lotus flower.
the floral emblem of the royal house
OF Siam.
1t is thickly studded with the most
beautiful diamonds and other precious
stones. which are so arranged as to
form the name OF the Queen, together
with the date of her marriage. She re-
CARDS this thimble as one of her most
precious possessions
Not long since Paris jeweler made
most elaborate thimble TO the order OF
certain well known American million
aire. 1t was somewhat larger than the
ordinary size of thimbles, and the
agreed price was $4,000. The gold setting
was scarcely visible, so completely was
ii set with diamonds. rubies. and pearls
In artistic designs. the rubies showing
the initials of the intended recipient.
This thimbIe was made as a birthday
present TO the mii1ionaire's daughter,
who can now boast the possession of the
second most valuable thimble in the
world. Her father was so much pleased
with the fine workmanship 1T showed
that he ordered another but much less
expensive one, to be made for presenta-
ton TO the school companion and bosom
friend OF his fortunate child.
Five or six years ago a jeweler in the
west end OF London was paid a sum of
nearly f3,O00 for thimble which the
pampered wife OF South American
Croesus insisted on having made for
her. This was one mass of precious
gems diamonds. and rubies. which as
thimble adornments seem 10 almost mo-
nopolize feminine taste. largely FREEDOM
mating
That eccentric prince. the late Maha-
ratah Dhuleep Singh never did things
by halves. and one of the most beau
tiful and costly thimbles ever made was
that which was supplied to his order as
present for a great lady I'm Russia
The price of this ran well into four
figures. and the gems set in II were all
pearls OF great value and no less beauty.
So were those in a highly-treasured
thimble. which. on the occasion of one
OF his visits 10 Europe the late Shah OF
Persia presented 10 a lady whose guest
he was for few hours. In the words
OF the delighted recipient. IL looked like
cluster OF glittering gems. which In
reality It was. save for the gold ia
which they were set. An expert in
precious stones valued this thimbIe at
Ct 500
There are thimbles of no intrinsic
value. but which. on account OF the ia
nous women To whom they have be-
longed. would command very high
prices IL submitted to public auction.
In the possession OF the wealthy Mrs.
Vanderbilt there is a thimble which
was formerly used by Queen Alexandra.
1t is an extremely dainty article, made
OF gold and enamel.
But, apart from it's association. Il is
not Of much greater value than another
thimble owned by the same American
lady This is very servIcea bIe-looking
article. IN solid silver. but very small.
ITS value lies in the fact that It was the
property OF the late Queen Victoria IN
the days when she was only a girl OF
fourteen. From it's appearance our late
sovereign knew how TO ply her needle
in her youthful days.
The first thimble ever made was the
one presented in the year 1854 to Anna
van Wedy, the second wife Of HIIIaen
van Rensselaer, and the thimble is.
therefore, Dutch invention.-The
Queen