JEWELS STOLEN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 June 1924, Page 7

JEWELS STOLEN.

A FAMOUS COLLECTION. RESULT OF LIFELONG HOBBY. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT LONDON, June 12. Burglars rifled the famous Wernher jewel collection at Bath House, Piccadilly, which the late Sir Julian Wernher, who died in 1912, collected as a result of a life-long hobby. They belonged to his widow, now Lady Ludlow, and consisted chiefly of fifteenth and sixteenth century jewels. They were priceless owing to their rarity and historical associations. , The burglars hid in the basement until everybody was asleep. Then they went to the museum, which occupied the whole of the first floor of Bath House. The value is not known, but it is believed Sir Julius Wernher spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on his hobby'. ’ It is shocking to think that the thieves may melt down the unique jewelled cups, enamels and antique settings for the sake of gold and regardless of art value

A moderate estimate of the value of the stolen jewels is £250,000. Most of the jewellery had been worn by queens and princesses, and the whole collection cost Sir Julius Wernher over £1,000,000. After the robbery the floor was littered with white flock, which the thieves tore from the cushions in order to pack the stolen jewels. When Sir Julius Wernher died in 1912 he left £11,000,000, the greater part going to his widow, who is reputed to be the richest woman in England. During the war she subscribed £2,000,000 to the war loan. Lord Ludlow, whom Sir Julius Wernher’s widow married, was killed at Huntingford in 1922.