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480 THE BOOK OF THE PEARL
pearls
of fine quality, weighing 563-1/2 grains, was sold in London on June
29, 1905, for the sum of £4700 ($23,500). At the same sale a necklace
of thirty-two graduated pearls, weighing about 890 grains, brought
£2600 ($13,000).
On
July 20, 1905, a pearl necklace comprising forty-five graduated pearls
of fine orient, with a cabochon ruby clasp, the gross weight being 832
grains, was sold in London for £3150 ($15,750).
A
fine pearl and brilliant pendant was disposed of at the sale in London,
February 21, 1906, of the stock of Mr. E. M. Marcoso. This pendant was
composed of one large white brilliant, weighing 18-1/32 carats, and a
drop-shaped pearl weighing 75-3/4 grains. The ornament brought the sum
of £2050 ($10,250).
A
pearl necklace composed of 285 well-matched and graduated pearls
disposed in five rows was sold in London on June 13, 1906, for the sum
of £10,000 ($50,000). At the same sale a three-row necklace, with 213
graduated and matched pearls of fine orient, brought £3200 ($16,000),
and a rope of 237 fine pearls realized £2800 ($14,000).
Among
the jewels disposed of at a sale in London on July 11, 1906, may be
mentioned a five-row pearl necklace of 445 graduated oriental pearls
which was sold for £2500 ($12,500). Three other necklaces were offered
at the same sale; one of fifty-five matched and graduated pearls of
fine quality bringing £3400 ($17,000); one of fifty-seven pearls,
£2700 ($13,500), and the other of 219 well-matched and graduated pearls
realizing £2350 ($11,750). Still another necklace of 417 matched and
graduated pearls arranged in five rows was sold for £4800 ($24,000). A
splendid pearl drop, of the finest orient, brought £1650 ($8250), and a
pearl rope of 191 oriental pearls, arranged so as to form three
single-row necklaces, realized the sum of £3700 ($18,500), three fine
black pearls, mounted as studs, were sold for £1000 ($5000). The most
important necklace was reserved for the end of the sale ; this was
composed of forty-seven large oriental pearls, and was purchased for
the sum of £10,000 ($50,000).
At
the sale of the Massey-Mainwaring collection at Christie's on March 18,
1907, a five-row pearl necklace consisting of 471 graduated pearls,
with a bouton pearl in the center, was sold for £4600 ($23,000).
Another
collection, sold at Christie's, April 15, 1907, was the property of the
late Mrs. Lewis-Hill, and the proceeds of the first day's sale reached
the heretofore unapproached total of £94,805 ($474,025), thus exceeding
by $26,395 the amount obtained in one day by the sale of Lady Dudley's
jewels. Among the valuable pearls in this collection, we may mention a
pair of large bouton pearl earrings, with small diamond tops, which
brought £1180 ($5900). The enthusiasm and interest of the assembly were
aroused by a necklace of forty-five large, graduated pearls of fine
orient, with a bouton pearl and brilliant cluster snap; after spirited
bidding this was bought for £6100 ($30,500). The greatest event of the
day, however, was the appearance of a splendid rope of 229 pearls of
very good form, well-matched and graduated. The opening bid was £10,000
($50,000) and after a warm contest the pearls were finally acquired
for the sum of £16,700 ($83,500). A
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