Famous Jewelry Collectors (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Alexandra Rhodes (Author)

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

"'Well written and thoroughly researched' - The Sunday Times 'An engrossing roll-call of rich and famous women, each with a past almost as colourful as their fabulous gems' - BBC Homes & Antiques"

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 the Paperback edition.

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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: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,055,102 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, January 20, 2000

By	Angela Carey (Canberra, Australia) - See all my reviews

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".

23 of 23 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 "frankaris" (Dalkey / Co. Dublin - Ireland) - See all my reviews

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!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ICE, November 5, 2006

By	Shannon Deason "SchylarRex" (Houston) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.