Famous Jewelry Collectors - Hardcover

Papi, Stefano; Rhodes, Alexandra

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810933411 ISBN 13: 9780810933415

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams, 1999

Synopsis

For many centuries precious jewels were only collected by kings and queens, emperors, popes and maharajahs. But in the last 100 years or so, movie goddesses, opera singers, industrialists, real-estate investors and rock stars have joined those with the means to deck themselves in glittering bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Posthumous auctions have revealed the grand jewelry collections of recent times. The famous sale of 1987 uncovered the full extent of the dazzling designs which belonged to the Duchess of Windsor. By the same token, as this book so handsomely shows, the collections of such society women as Daisy Fellowes, Mona Bismarck and Barbara Hutton can now be appreciated and described in detail. Among the royals and artistocrats featured are HRH the Princess Royal (Princess Mary) of Great Britain and Umber to II of Italy, and the noble German family of Thurn and Taxis; from the world of film and entertainment stars like Merle Oberon, Joan Crawford and Ava Gardner. The two authors, both international jewelry experts, not only offer a rare opportunity to view an extraordinary treasure trove of top-class jewels, but also reveal the stories behind the jewels and their collectors. With 250 plates, including some 120 in full colour, this is a book to be cherished by everyone with an interest in society, collecting and the very best of jewelry art.

About this title

From the Publisher:

The Duchess of Windsor, Ava Gardner, Joan Crawford, socialite Barbara Hutton, and the German Princes von Thurn und Taxis, as this gorgeously illustrated book shows, all amassed spectacular collections of jewelry. Here, for the first time, is a public viewing of fabulous bracelets, necklaces, rings, brooches, and earrings owned by the rich and famous-along with a peek into the glamorous lives behind these glittering collections. Two international jewelry experts who have handled countless auctions of fine jewelry from private estates tell how the collections of Mary Pickford, Merle Oberon, King Umberto II of Italy, and Helena Rubenstein, among others, came into being, and which jewelers these collectors favored. This is a book for everyone interested in society, collecting, and the finest of jewelry. 250 illustrations, 120 in full color, 877/8 x 1177/8 " Subsidiary Rights: Selected by Book-of-the-Month Club Stefano Papi, a director of Sotheby's, heads the firm's jewelry department in Rome. Alexandra Rhodes is a senior director of Sotheby's and head of the auction house's European jewelry department in London.

About the Author:

Stefano Papi is a Director of Sotheby's and head of the firm's Jewelry Department in Rome.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0810933411
• ISBN 13: 9780810933415
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208