The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1904-02-23
WONDERFUL TREASURES
OF ENGLAND'S KING

LONDON, Eng, Feb. 23.-There may be
monarchs who own treasures more costly
than King Edward can boast of, but none
can eclipse him in the range of rare pos
sessions; and, even if we consider only the
wonders of gold and precious stones, he has
many which challenge comparison with
anything in the royal palaces of Persia
or Turkey
To mention few of these regal treas
ures, there is at Windsor a magnificent
candelabrum wrought in solid gold and
weighing 200 pounds; an enormous tiger
fierce as life, of solid plates of gold, with
| flaming eyes Of crystal; and the daintiest
bird, with plumage of precious stones.
These treasures-the tiger and bird-oncc
made the eyes of Tippoo Sahib fash with
| the pride of ownership.
| At Windsor is the finest gold dinner
service in the world, set for l4O guests
a single dish of which is burden enough for
one man, with gorgeous centerpieces which
would tax the strength of three men,
| There are shields of gold, one being com
posed of snuff boxes and said to be worth
$50 600; large golden tankards and goblets
incrusted with gems, cuspidores and can
delabra and other treasures of precious
metals and jewels, list of which would
fill columns
But, although the value of the treasures
is estimated in seven figures, there are
Others more interesting. What sum would
not millionaire pay for a tankard made
| from gold doubloons from one of the ships
of the ill-starredlafm or for that casket
of enamel and crystal which was one of the
| treasures of Catherine of Braganza?
Then there is to be seen at Windsor the
most wonderful cloak in the world, made
| from the red and yellow plumage of rare
| birds to be found in a few Pacific islands
1t was three-quarters of a century ago
one of the priced possessions of the queen
of the Sandwich islands, and its value is
estimated at 100000.
An exquisite cloak of enamel brings
memories of Anne BoIeyn, for it was one of
her wedding presents and a pair of spurs
are legacy from the days of Richard IL
who once wore them. There is part of
| regimental dinner service used during
the siege of Lucknow and dented by rebel
shot, and two bronze guns presented to
| Queen Victoria by the last emperor of the
French.
King Edwards books none but mil
lionaire could hope to match, for they
number i'll all over 10000 volumes, of
which two-thirds are at Windsor. Among
these volumes are many Caxtons, missals,
psalters and other centuries-old volumes
for some of which bibliophles would pay
thousands apiece. The kings pictures are
valued at hundreds Of thousands of pounds,
and include the finest works of masters,
old and new; and to these he adds 10000
drawings, engravings and miniatures, large
| ly the collection of his father.
The royal china has scarcely a rival
in Europe. 1t is the accumulation OF
centuries and comprises the finest speci-
mems of the worlds potteries from China
| to Dresden and Derby. One exquisite
service of "Bleu du Roi," made for Loui.
XVIII, of France, is said to be worth
100000.
But these and countless other treasures
of equal interest have all come to the king
by inheritance. Among his own personal
collections are things of beauty, of which
( two at least are unique. His collection
of silver models of ships is unrivaled. and
includes every type that has been in the
navy from the earliest times, each vesse
a microscopically exact reproduction Of
its original