HOUSE OF JEWELS

Evening Star, Issue 23174, 25 January 1939, Page 2

HOUSE OF JEWELS

NEW YORK FAIR GUARDING RICH TREASURE MACHINE GUNS AND GAS Although South Africa will have r>.oi pavilion at. the World’s Fair in New York, one corner of the Exhibition will be, in a sense, South African, states the New York, correspondent of the ‘ Johannesburg Star.’ The large display of diamonds in the House of Jewels will , automatically advertise the Union, because in American . minds South Africa and diamonds go together. The House of Jewels is not like the other temporary buildings at the .fairIt is no flashy, spread-eagled structure which from appearances, a lighted match could destroy or a tin-bpeher penetrate. It is small, compact, and fireproof; and if man’s ingenuities and superstitions count for anything at all it is also burglar-proof. The building has to be strong. It will contain £1,000,000 of gems, most of which will come from South Africa.; Solidity and safety are the concern of the exhibitors—not extravagant architectural lines. THE PRESS OF A BUTTON. Sealed in the cornerstone are inexpensive luck charms, just in case burglars and robbers are superstitious. One of; the charms is the left hind, foot of a rabbit caught by the .light of the moon in a graveyard. In the entrances through these concrete walls are steel frames which by; the press of a button come down with the snap of a guillotine. The button is placed in an armed look-out tower standing round and ominous in the middle of the hall. In this tower grim guards will sit hour by hour. From there all exits can be closed in a trice; all corners of the hall swept by machine gun fire. Even gas projectors will, be ready to hand. .-i ; PILLBOX TURRETS. Next to this “ look-out ” will stand an armoured car. And farther away at intervals round the hall and outside it—pillbox turrets—turrets which might have been lifted bodily from the Maginot Line. By night a floodlight will bathe tha floor, walls, and shop windows. After curfew time on the fair grounds tha precious stones will be locked away in a safe vault in the building. Surrounding this vault are mirrors. Tha guards must have eyes everywhere. There are other alarm and safety devices about 'which no details can be given. For example, an attempt to smash the shatterproof glass behind which the gems will rest will automatically send sirens and alarm bells into a" frenzy. The grandiose robberies New York has seen in the last few months make all these precautions desirable. Every trick, every cool ruse has been used by the thieves. MOVING SPOTLIGHTS.

The exhibitors are the Diamond Corporation, the South African Producing Companies, and five New York jewellery firms. The first two are showing diamonds, both uncut and finished. These will be placed on an amphitheatre at one end of the hall. By its size and position this will be much the dominating feature. Spotlights will centre on different exhibits in timed sequence, and as this is done talks will be given in explanation, and no doubt in praise. Some may wonder whether the h’ghts will not spoil the genuine radiance of the jewels, but the authorities say that care is being taken to avoid this. The windows of the building are long and narrow, and placed so that no glare from outside will be hard-on the jewels. The showcases are being designed to give as onen a feeling as possible—in fact, to increase the illusion that the precious stones are so near, when in reality they are so far.