The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1936-10-15
Jewels Shown in Preparation of
Kings Coronation Are Most
Valuable in Existence
CROWN WAS ONCE STOLEN

IIlOSL VALUABLE CO11SCClOl VI AN6S
diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and
other precious stones in existence,
will be familiar sights to millions OF
people throughout the world by the
time of the coronation of King
Edward VIII next spring. The fabu-
lous gems are not going ION tour,
but faithful copies are being made
by the dozen in flashing crystal and
FURNISHED gilt. These apparent re-
pleas have been ordered by jewel
ers and others in cities in all parts
of the British Empire and even in
the United States. Displayed in shop
windows, they will give passersby
sparkling conception of the actual
Jewels to be used during the corona
ton.
cat present all the coronation re-
gala are at the court-jeweler's in
London being 'spruced up for the
great event. Their absence leaves
temporary gaps in an exhibit which
is one of the most admired attrac-
tions of the English capital" says
bulletin from the Washington, D. c.,
headuuorters of the National Geo
graphic society. "a steady file of
sightseers climbs the dark, narrow
stairs at the Jewel House tower IN
the Tower of London to cluster like
bees around hexagonal glass show
case. Behind its iron bars CLEAN in
credible golden crowns, falry-tale
scepters, and swords studded with
gems of fire-flashing radiance; all
built up into a pyramid OF treasure
such as much have daZZled All
Baba's eyes in the cave of the Forty
Thieves.
''How much are they worth?"
Americans sometimes ask to the an
noyance of Englishmen. Their value
cannot be calculated in dollars or
pounds. For the jewels, many OF
them handed down through centu-
ries by British sovereigns, are not
only intrinsical1y, but historically
almost priceless.
Guards Benevolent
Gall this magnificence appears de-
ceptively unguarded. Except for the
notice Beware of PickpocketS,' vi
GLANCE seems lacking. The few yeo-
men warders acting as guards look
merely ornamental in their Tudor
costume, and benevolent rather than
aggressive. But despite the fact that
the biggest rascal in England can
come and look at the jewels Tor a
sixpence,' as one yeoman Warder
puts it. there have been remarkably
few attempts to steal them.
Zone notorious effort was that
made by an Irishman, Colonel Blood,
during the reign of Charles II AT
that time the jewels, fewer In num-
her were exhibited casually In the
Martin Tower Disguised as parson,
Colonel Blood ingratiated himself
with the 7O-year-old keeper, and be-.
came such a familiar frequenter OF
the Tower that, eventually ne and
three confederates were able to gam
access to the Jewels and almost es-
cane with them. Just in the nick OF
time it was discovered that the gems
were missing, and a hue and cry
was arised. Loudist shouter of stop
the thief was 'Parson' Blood, leaving
the Tower unsupported, with the
crown hidden under his parsons
gown. When caught, he was person
ally tried by Charles IL. Curlously
enough, instead of being hanged, ne
was given pension and placed on
the Kings bodyguard. The reason
has been maliciously guessed, but
not proved, to be that debt-rldden
Charles II had plotted the theft OF
his own crown.
Ruby Large as Egg
Coronation regalia being repro
duced for display include the Crown
of England, known as ST. Edwards
crown with which all British mon
arch are invested with their sover-
eighty. Of massive gold and gem
studded it is so heavy that almost
as soon as it is placed on the King
head, it is removed and replaced by
the much lighter Imperial State
crown. Although the latter weighs
only approximately 80 ounces, 1t is
one of the most valuable crowns IN
existence, scintillating with thou
sands of precious stones, more than
2.78O of which are diamonds. In the
front of it CLOVIS a ruby from Burma,
large as a hens egg, which may
have had a long oriental history be-
fore the Black Prince acquired 1t IN
1867. Below the ruby flames the sec.
ond largest of the Stars OF Africa,
diamond weighing almost 3lO ca
rats. In the same crown CLEANS the
Stuart sapphire, measuring one by
one-and-one-half inches, and four
pear-shaped pearls worn as earrings
by Queen Elizabeth. They are the
size of small birds eggs. This crown,
made for Queen Victoria in 1888,
was enlarged for Edward VII, re-
duced for George v, and is now be
ing re-enlarged for Edward VIII.
Three Crowns
sThe Kings third crown is the
Indian Imperial one, with which he
probably will be crowned Emperor
of India at Delhi.It is encrusted with
emeralds, sapphires, and over 5000
diamonds.
seT,he Jewel House also displays