FAMOUS FRENCH GEMS STOLEN

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3478, 14 October 1926, Page 7

FAMOUS FRENCH GEMS STOLEN

Historic Conde Diamond Included VALUE BEYOND COMPUTATION [By Electric Cable —Copyright.] [Auat. and N.Z. Cable Association.] PARIS, Oct. 12. Thieves broke into a gem room at the Chateau do Chantilly, Versailles, and carried off the famous grand Condo rose diamond, valued at 10,000,000 francs, and other valuables. A DARING THEFT. The Montlhory, Chantilly, robbery was most daring. , The thieves evidently arrived in a lorry, carrying long ladders. They knew that the attendants were sleeping in the opposite wing to the treasure tower where the diamond was stored. There is a drawbridge connecting park and treasure tower. This is raised at night time, but the thieves threw a ladder across, thus gaining access to Urn wall of the tower, which they scaled. One thief kept watch while the others rifled the cases ot all pocketable articles, including the Condo diamond. Other articles of artistic interest were untouched, including priceless enamels by Cellini.

WORLD-WIDE SEARCH

COMMENCED. BOOTY DIFFICULT OF DISPOSAL. (Received Wednesday, 5.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 13. A world-wide search is being: made for the famous diamond and other treasures from the Chateau Chantilly. As soon as the theft was discov. ered, a score of detectives left Paris headquarters, while Marshal Detain and M. Paul Bourget, who are the conservators of the collection, hastened to Chantilly in motor-cars. The only clues at present are the ladders and a few finger-prints. A description of the jewels has been circulated throughout the Continent, and frontiers and ports are closely watched. Diamond experts arc of the opinion that it will be impossible for the thieves, whom the police suspect to be members of an international gang, to sell the Rose diamond, which is known to all dealers as the most beautiful pink diamond in the world. Moreover, it is almost impossible to have it re-out without discovery, while, if broken up into small pieces, it’s value will be destroyed. M. Leon Rosenthal, one of the leading Paris dealers, opines that there is a gang carrying out sensational thefts, not so much with the idea of selling the booty, as of obtaining big sums for restitution. They have accomplices in England, through whom the Merchants’ Insurance Company recovers the stolen property.

The Condo diamond is pear-shaped, about half an inch wide, and an inch and a-quarter long, set as a tie-pin, and surrounded by other precious stones. It was one of the treasures left by the Prince of Conde. It is impossible to estimate it s value. The thieves secured other articles, which, in themselves, would be a sensational haul, including the cross of the Legion of Honour which Napoleon gave to Baron Aymard, diamonds, gold bracelets, rings and watches, Paris detectives believe the thieves have reached London.