Famous Jewelry Collectors [Hardcover]

Stefano Papi (Author), Alexandra Rhodes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

For many centuries precious jewels were only collected by kings and queens, emperors, popes and maharajahs. But in the last 100 years or so, movie goddesses, opera singers, industrialists, real-estate investors and rock stars have joined those with the means to deck themselves in glittering bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Posthumous auctions have revealed the grand jewelry collections of recent times. The famous sale of 1987 uncovered the full extent of the dazzling designs which belonged to the Duchess of Windsor. By the same token, as this book so handsomely shows, the collections of such society women as Daisy Fellowes, Mona Bismarck and Barbara Hutton can now be appreciated and described in detail. Among the royals and artistocrats featured are HRH the Princess Royal (Princess Mary) of Great Britain and Umber to II of Italy, and the noble German family of Thurn and Taxis; from the world of film and entertainment stars like Merle Oberon, Joan Crawford and Ava Gardner. The two authors, both international jewelry experts, not only offer a rare opportunity to view an extraordinary treasure trove of top-class jewels, but also reveal the stories behind the jewels and their collectors. With 250 plates, including some 120 in full colour, this is a book to be cherished by everyone with an interest in society, collecting and the very best of jewelry art.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Eighteen magnificent jewelry collections are shown here in clear, vibrant photos of the actual pieces, along with photos of their owners wearing them. The collectors were some of the most glamorous of the 20th century: actresses, an opera singer, royalty, aristocrats, and society women. The fascinating lives of these women are intertwined with accounts of how each acquired her jewelry, when and where she was seen wearing the jewels, and, most interesting of all, the various metamorphoses of many of the pieces of jewelry. Originals and resettings are depicted, as seemingly "old-fashioned" bracelets, brooches, necklaces, rings, and earrings were redesigned to ensure that their owners would remain in the height of fashion. The authors, both directors at Sotheby's, provide the sort of information appearing in auction catalogs that few readers probably have the chance to see. This beautifully produced, very readable book is highly recommended for public and academic library decorative art collections.
-Therese Duzinkiewicz Baker, Western Kentucky Univ. Libs., Bowling Green
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Eighteen magnificent jewelry collections are shown here in clear, vibrant photos of the actual pieces...beautifully produced, very readable. -- Library Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810933411
• ISBN-13: 978-0810933415
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #717,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, January 20, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Canberra, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Famous Jewelry Collectors (Hardcover)

This is a well written book with wonderful photography. The selection of jewellery owners for each of the categories specified was thoughtful with some less well know, but nevertheless interesting collectors, included. The only shortfall was the absence of collectors from the Orient and the East - this would have been unique and given the book an extra star.

The book is a good complement to John Traina's hard to get "Extraordinary Jewels".

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining book with gorgeous photos, December 31, 2000

By 

Mr Frank M. A. Aris (Dalkey / Co. Dublin - Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Famous Jewelry Collectors (Hardcover)

An entertaining book with memorable personalities and their world famous baubles. The section on socialities and the nobility is fun to read; especially countess Mona von Bismarck. The incredible story of Poor Little Rich Girl, Barbara Hutton and socialite Daisy Fellowes (she must have been an incredible woman, reading her self-improvement on her nose!). Some of the gems are world famous, like the bejewelled menagerie of the Duchess of Windsor, her cats, her flamingo, her tiger lorgnette etc. All in all, a fun book to read, but not only for lovers of jewellery, but also for people who are interested in royalty, fashion and high society. In short, a nice coffeetable book!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ICE, November 5, 2006

By 

Shannon Deason (Houston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Famous Jewelry Collectors (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book, the images are crisp and the text is fascinating. The people in this book live for their jewels and many of them, particularly the Duchess of Windsor, had impeccable taste. Some of the pieces are just stunning, and the background on the collectors is most interesting. I highly recommend this book to anyone with any interest in beautiful jewelry.