The sun., 1919-05-25
@ W1fAH4noML flLM sesnea

stories were printed to
show that Mr.. Mclean harbored a
feeling of timidity because of the evil
history attributed to the stone, and
that he stipulated that the jewel should
be taken back by the Cartier firm in
the event that any tragedy occurred
in the Mclean family within six
months. Whether that story is true
is not clear, but eventually formal an
nounCement was made by attorneys
connected with the suit over the pur-
chase price that a compromise had
been effected.
Presumably the gem stayed since in
the possession OF the McLeans, for
there has been no public announce
ment. at any rate, of any other dispo-
sition having been made of it. And 50
the superstitious are saying now that
all the power Of the Mclean millions,
matched against the evil influence OF
the i'll fated diamond, were unable TO
protect the family, and especially the
much guarded Mclean heir.
Discredits Tragic stories.
Light upon some of the stories told
Of the diamond is shed by T. Edgar
Wilson OF the JelCeiCrS' Circular
N'cekiV. who for many years has been
deeply interested in famous precious
stones and their histories. OF the Hope
iiamond, after much careful research.
he wrote. about the time the gem
PASSED to the Mclean family.
IN the interest of truth will YOU
1,1a 1.lls no N
are based stories of i'll luck said TO
surround the Hope diamond? AL
though the writer has been connected
with the jewelry trade press for nearly
twenty years, and has been especially
interested in the history OF the great
diamonds of the world, he never heard
OF any such stories connected with the
Hope diamond until a sensational arti-
Gle appeared short time after il was
brought to this country in 1901.
AS far as he can learn, the au-
thcntic history of the gem goes back
only to 1880, when it appeared in the
hands of Daniel Eliason, and was sub
seuuently bought by Henry Thoma =
Hope, the banker, through whom it
came into the possession of the family
of the Duke OF Newcastle. 1t was held
by the heirs of Mr.. Hope, and was in
possession of the present Duke OF
Newcastle from about 1884 to 1901,
when it was sold in London at auction.
1T later was brought to this country
by Joseph Frankel's Sons. and then
went back to London. 1t was finally
sold to one Hlbib, in Paris, and though
il was rumored that he bought it for
C,,It of "a =
gain put On the market when the
Habib collection was sold at auction
about two years ago.
This stone is believed to have been
cut from the blue diamond of 81 S
carats that formed part of the stolen
French rcgalia, and Edward w.
/ Streeter, the London gem authority,
/ Contendcd that it was part OF that
! stone, though this fact has never been
proved absolutely.
mo mention of any i'll luck having
! befallen Eliason, Hope or any OF their
descendants was ever made. The
FrankelS surely were very prosperous
/ while the stone was in their posses
sion, as were the dealers who held
! il in Europe. Habits misfortune re-
, ferred to in the newspaper accounts
! occurred long after he had sold the
stone.
These stories first appeared in con-
nection with the tale that the stone
had been owned by Lord Francis Hope
and Worn by May Nohe, AS Francis
Hope never had the stone, and May
Yohe probably never saw it (at least
she never had it,, the newspaper ac-
counts a the time mentioned we're
laughed at but since then II has been
the custom not only to revive these
stories every time mention of tho
stone appears in the public press, but
to add TO them fictitious incidents
of misfortune as to alleged possessorS
of the stone at various times
The writer has been unable to
verify one of the incidents as to mis-
fortune overtaking any one known 10
have had the stone, and he therefore
asks of you aid in getting at the facts
IL there be any obtainablc, and if the
stories be not true in ContradictinG the
canards which appear in print every
time the Hope diamond comes into
prominence.
Even this, however, appears not IN
b" enough to set at rest the reputation
a a jewel of i'll omen borne by the
Hope diamond. For those who con-
tend that II is indeed a gem Of mis-
fortune point knowingly 10 the death
OF little Ninson Walsh Mclean and
ask with assurance If that does not
lconvince even the most sceptical.