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I think that whenever one attempts something ... one should strive to attain excellence of the highest caliber. This holds true for acting, car racing, I'm better than the Jones', and even snobbism. And thereby--as someone once said--hangs a tale.
The year ... 1957. Harry Winston makes a sale to the Duchess of Windsor ... a lady--one would think--who could not easily be snubbed for one would have to imagine she has reached the highest levels of society and nothing could pull a chair out from under her lofty status. Of course ... if one thought that ... one would be wrong. Our Duchess' purchase consists of an Indian emerald drop necklace. Don't know how much she paid ... but I would venture to say t'warn't no nickel and dime buy.
Shortly thereafter there is a grand reception which is attended by--among others--the Maharanee of Baroda. The reception goes on with folks doing those things that folks to at grand receptions ... and the Maharanee glances over at the Duchess and immediately recognizes the necklace as having been made from a pair of Indian anklets recently sold from the Baroda collection. "My dear," says the Maharanee to a companion in a voice that would override the noise of the crowds at Yankee stadium at the opening of the World Series, "Have you seen, she is wearing the beads I used to have on my feet!" Needless to say, the necklace was returned the very next day.
The moral ... to take a cue from dear old Aesop: Don't matter how big you are ... there's always someone bigger. Not sure if Aesop said this ... or Benjamin Mark. One of them did.
Which brings us to the Huma bird. This has absolutely nothing to do with the above story ... other than the fact that it's Indian in origin and one of the most beautiful examples of a bejeweled statuette I have ever seen. It dates to circa 1787-1793 and resides in The Royal Collection of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. No idea of its worth. I will not describe it as it defies description. Go take a look. It's an absolute must-see.
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And there ya have it. That's it for this week folks. Catch you all next week. Benjamin Mark
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