New Britain herald., 1929-11-27
Valuable Jewels, in Care of American Woman. Now Lie in Bank Vault Have Travelled About World.

" 0rlQ.
 New York. Nov. - Cp'-On the crest of a blue velvet cushion en- casel in the steel Of q Fifth avenue bank vault today lies a 800 carat diamond necklace that has traVclcd through Egypt and America in brown paper parcels since the day ii graccd the throat Of Napoleon's empress.
 More than a hundred wears ago Napoleon l. gave the jewels 10 his young wife. Marie Louise. in his joy over the birth Of their son, who he dreamed would carry on the Ma poleonic dynasty"
 Since then it has graced the throats of an Austrian empress and arch duchess has travelled the sands of Egypt and the subways of Sew York. has been the awe of customs officials and the wonder of bank clerks.
 Today it is in the care of Mrs. Charles r. Townsend, who was born the Princess Baronte. daugh- ter Of the Italian Prince Baronte. and who is d friend Of the Arch Duchess Of Austria, Marie Therese. its T4-year- old owner.
 A little more that year ago, Mrs. Townsend. the wife of a retired English government official serving in Egypt carried the jewels 10 King Iuad of Egypt. who considered buy ing them for his queen.
 Carried in Cardboard Box
 No armed escort no armored ears accompanied the necklace that once was Marie Louise's most pri2cd pos session, Mrs. Townsend put them into 8 cardboard shoeboN. tucked them under her arm and boarded a second class tram so that she might attract no attention on her way to the palace.
 When she arrived the king and his court gaspcd in horror al what she had done. Tho necklace was duly inspected but the queen pre- fcrred q rope Of pearls. so the dia- monds were not purchased.
 Instead they returned 10 the arch duchess.
 Transoceanic Shuttfing
 Then Mrs. Townsend came 10 America and the jewels were sent 10 her. addressed to 8 New YorI, bank. They arrived and were refused by the bank as romantic and un- usual business" and back they went to Vienna.
 Again they C@me 10 America, ad- dressed this time 10 Marie Theresc'3 friend. Customs officials investigat- ed the necklace and telegrams flew back and forth from Vienna and Washington to New York.
 We had 10 get it admitted duty free" Mrs. Townsend said today "because as an historic antique it was entitled to that. and to pay duty on ii was akin 10 admitting it was not the real necklace Of Marie Louise"
 Eventually it was admitted 10 the Tinted States-duty free-and GUS toms officials sent for Mrs. Town- send 10 claim the necklace. They clustered about it when she called for it. czclaiming over it's brilliancc and recommending armored cars and police escorts for it's journey 10 the bank.
 Look" one assistant called in wonder to his compauion Look what Napoleon gave his girl friend"
 Wrapped in Brown Paper
 Mrs. Townsend wrapped the jew fls in brown paper and tied them with twinc, boarded subway and carried them 10 her New York apartment and thence to the Uanl; which houses them today.
 The necklace, set in silver and gold has f diamonds. the larger ones 15 carats. Around it's circular design hang ten brioIcttcs and nine pendants.
 With it gees the will of the young empress for whom it was made. who beCuoathcd the necklace to the Empress Sophie. mother Of the late Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria Y ho in turn passed 1t on 10 her sec ond son. Karl Ludwig. His wife, the Archduchc.s Marie Therese. is its present owner
 Each stone Has story
 With it also goes the bill of Nito' the court ieWelcr who assembled it from the jewel marts Of the world. describing each stone in detail.
 And last there is Marie Theresr 5 signed letter Of description and the HapsburG's certificate of succession.
 Tho necklace which Napoleon or dsred for the little Austrian arch duchess whom he divorced Josephine 10 marry in the hope that she could give him an heir, marked joy that was short-livcd.
 Shortly aft"rward his dynasty be gan 10 crumDlc. The young princess