THE HOPE BLUE DIAMOND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11872, 25 January 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE HOPE BLUE DIAMOND.

MILLIONAIRES COMPETING FOR ITS POSSESSION. New, York, November 27.—-New York society circles are greatly excited over the arrival of the Hope blue diamond, for which Mi*. Simon Frankel, a New York diamond dealer, is reported to have given £50,000. Mr. Frankel arrived here yesterday on the German liner Kronprinz Wilhelm, bringing the famous gem. During the voyage it was kept in the purser's safe, and every precaution was taken to ensure its safety. Mr. Frankel was met at the quarantine by Mr. Emanuel Cattle, a Fifth Avenue jeweller, who offered £70,000 for the diamond. The offer was refused. Mr. Guttle wished to purchase it for the wife of a New York millionaire. Other millionaires are now reported to bo competing for its possession. It is rumoured that Mr. Alfred Vanderbilt is anxious to secure it for his wife. The possessor of the gem will bo the envy of every woman in America. Mr. Frankel expected to get the diamond through the Customs this afternoon on payment of the duty of ten per cent. _ He declined to say how much he paid for it. He said to-day : —" No purchase was ever more difficult. Tlio diamond was entailed in the Hope family, and before the order of Chancery releasing it was issued Aye had to get the consent of nineteen heirs. I have not bought the diamond for any particular person. lam in the wholesale trade, and will sell it only to a dealer." It is said that Mr. Frankel expects to get , £100,000 for the diamond,.