 John the OFM  | 21 Oct 2025 8:16 a.m. PST |
link Pictures are in all the pawnshops! Rick. "Let me call in my guy who knows things."
"I'm the one taking all the risks! An auction will take 40%! And the taxes. Best I can offer is $40,000. USD" |
| 35thOVI | 21 Oct 2025 8:27 a.m. PST |
I guess that proves Napoleon's "family jewels" were not purloined by Josephine, Marie Louise or Marie Walewska, contrary to evil rumor. 😉 |
| robert piepenbrink | 21 Oct 2025 8:33 a.m. PST |
Hmm. First they tell you the value is "inestimable." Then they tell you what they're worth. But considering some of the loot passed through the hands of His Imperial Majesty Napoleon I, I'd say it isn't the first time those particular gemstones have been stolen. Purchased with stolen money at the very least. Wasn't there something in "The Blue Carbuncle" about "a crime for every facet?" And as Tom Selleck pointed out in Lassiter "when the war comes, they'll be worth more than gold." Meaning more portable wealth, I suppose. But the diamond market does go unstable when you get too many refugees at one time. My heart aches for the managers of de Beers--and all the millionaires fleeing Hollywood for France, of course. |
| 14Bore | 21 Oct 2025 8:50 a.m. PST |
Listened Generals and Napoleon on Prince Eugene, didn't mention about it |
| John the OFM | 21 Oct 2025 8:53 a.m. PST |
Seriously, it has to be a sinister Doctor No type collector. Or Goldfinger.
Definitely a Bond Villain behind it. Or Putin. One comment theorized that all would be melted down. 🙄
Seems like a lot of bother for "scrap emeralds" and a few pounds of silver or gold. Or, held for ransom. |
| DisasterWargamer | 21 Oct 2025 10:03 a.m. PST |
Perhaps Harry Flashman got lucky this time |
| mildbill | 21 Oct 2025 10:19 a.m. PST |
I am sure the buyer is very satisfied with his advance purchase. That stuff was sold prior to it ever leaving the museum. |
| robert piepenbrink | 21 Oct 2025 11:08 a.m. PST |
"I deny everything, and demand proof." Anyone else remember where I got that one from? |
| Andrew Walters | 21 Oct 2025 12:39 p.m. PST |
You know they're going to end up in Russia or China. Can't ship them to the US because of tariffs. |
| John the OFM | 21 Oct 2025 12:57 p.m. PST |
Putin has the Bonapartist Legitimate Pretender on ice, just waiting. Waiting. Waiting… |
| jdpintex | 21 Oct 2025 12:57 p.m. PST |
The emeralds are probably worth more than everything else combined. Those are large and very clear emeralds, something that is very hard to find these days. |
| rustymusket | 22 Oct 2025 1:43 p.m. PST |
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| 14Bore | 25 Oct 2025 4:47 a.m. PST |
Heard a speculation they would be all broken up, sold as individual jewels, gold melted and end up for pennies of the dollars.
Or some collected will look at them by them self until they die |
| Mark J Wilson | 26 Oct 2025 9:31 a.m. PST |
Two suspects have been arrested link but no mention of any recovery of materials. |
