WERNHER JEWEL ROBBERY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19199, 16 June 1924, Page 7

WERNHER JEWEL ROBBERY

LARGE REWARD OFFERED. MUCH FINGER PRINT EVIDENCE. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, June 15. (Received June 15, at 5.6 p.m.) A reward of £SOOO has been offered in connection with the Wernher jewel robbery. The jewellery was insured against fire, but not against burglary. The detectives found many finger prints. —A. and N.Z. Cable. A cablegram published on Saturday reported that' burglars rifled the famous Wernher jewel collection at Bath House, in Picadilly, which tho late Sir Julius Wernher collected as the result of a lifelong 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. A moderate estimate of tho value of the stolen Wernher jewels is £250,000. Most of the jewellery had been worn by queens and princesses. The whole collection cost Sir Julius Wernher over £1,000,000. After the robbery the floor of tho so-called museum was littered with white flock which the thieves tore from the cushions to order to pack the stolon jewels. Sir Julius Wernher died in 1912, leaving £11,000,000, the greater part of which wont to his -widow, who is reputed to be the richest woman in England. During the war she subscribed £2,000,000 i loans. Lord Ludlow was killed at Huntingford in 1922.