The most treasured articles from the $5,000,000 collection of the late Sir Julius Wernher, South African multi-millionaire and diamond king, were stolen by expert jewel thieves early the other morning from the Red Room of Bath House, the residence of Lady Ludlow, former wife of the diamond magnate. The stolen articles consist largely of jewelry and ornaments worn by queens and princesses of the 16th century. The collection was unique and without equal in the world representing the life hobby of Sir Julius. The thieves showed uncanny knowledge of the jewels. Only the most highly priced articles were taken. Bath House stands at a corner of Piccadilly surrounded by a strong wall and with the usual court yard inside. It is believed the thieves escaped by means of an iron gallery and staircase leading from the topmost windows at the rear to the balustrade and portico of the main entrance. Sir Julius was head of the firm of Wernher Beit & Co. He left the greater part of a fortune of $55,000,000 to his widow who afterwards married Lord Ludlow, who was killed in the hunting field in 1922. Lady Ludlow is one of the richest women in England. She subscribed $10,000,000 to the War Loan. Sir Julius was of German birth but a naturalized Englishman. The cash value of the stolen gems is placed at around $1,000,000 but the sentimental value is inestimable. Broken down the jewels would not be worth a fiftieth of what they would fetch at a collector’s auction. The trade considers it will be impossible for the gems to be disposed of in their present state since they are known to all gem dealers of the world. Each separate article is unique in itself. A large reward probably will be offered.
Madrassa Arcade, Grey Street, later, Victoria Street, Durban
Established in 1927 by Gopal Pather, a gold and diamond merchant, from Pondicherry, South India who arrived in South Africa via Mauritius. The business was later succeeded by Gopal Pather's youngest son, Kristnasamy (Kitty) Pather.
The business continues today and is now located in Westville, Durban.
It is reported that A. Kruger, jeweler, Phoenixville, will close out his business and go to South Africa to his uncle, Paul Kruger, President of the Transvaal Republic. President Kruger has invited his nephew to pay him a visit at Pretoria. The President and Mr. Kruger’s grandfather were brothers.
HÜBNER, Alfred Gustav Johannes, Jeweller, Watchmaker, Optician; Dir. W. Meyer (Pty.) Ltd., Windhoek. Came to S.W.A. 1933; b. 23rd April, 1908, Germany; educ. Oberreal Sch. Lübeck, Watchmaker Sch. Glashiitte, Goldsmith Sch. Pforzheim, Gemological Instit. Idar, Sch. of Optics Berlin, Refraction Hospital & Northampton Polytechnic, Lon.; s.o.l. Adolf Hübner; m. 8th April, 1944, Irma Cacilie Margarete, d.o. E. Schimansky; 2 s. Rec.: Tennis, Fishing. Add.: John Meinert St. No. 89, & P.O. Box 10, Windhoek, S.W.A.
Lourenço Marques, Portuguese East Africa (Maputo, Mozambique)
MATOS, António Lopes; Mng. Dir. Lopes & Ramos Ltd. Goldsmiths & Jeweller Shop, L.M.; came to P.E.A. 1920; b. 14th Jan., 1893, Viseu-Portugal; educ. Porto; m. 1918, Maria da Conceiçāo Anastácio, 1 s., 1 d. Rec.: Reading. Add.: Rua General Botha, 42 and Box 157, L.M., P.E.A.
Corner of Parliament and Longmarket streets, later, 100, Adderley Street, later, 122, Victoria Wharf, Breakwater Boulevard, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Murdock's Jewellers (Pty) Ltd. - Cape Town - 1962
Established in 1897 by Englishman, James Edgar Murdock.