I love reading mystery books, and started on Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys when I was quite young. In fact, I am pretty sure I packed a couple of mysteries to read when we were in Vermont.
When I graduated to grown-up mysteries, I remember discovering the books by Barbara Michaels, aka Elizabeth Peters, but really Barbara Mertz. I found that she lived outside of Baltimore and liked her even more. She was a prolific novelist, but also an acclaimed Egyptologist, with a PhD in the subject from the University of Chicago.
She also had an amazing collection which is set to be auctioned in Baltimore on February 5th at Alex Cooper Auctioneers, a place with which I am a little too familiar. The collection has a strong classical influence, and there are some stunning pieces.
Egyptian Revival enameled 18K gold necklace
Pair of 14K gold mounted carved lava earrings
Gold and aquamarine brooch
Victorian seed pearl parure
Edwardian 14K gold & colored gemstone necklace
Pair of 14K white gold, opal & diamond earrings
Art Nouveau style diamond and ruby ring
Impressive Victorian diamond floral brooch/comb from Garrards, London
Two Native American silver & turquoise items
There are almost 200 lots in this auction, and really, something for anyone. Take a look at the catalogue, here.
Stunning pieces. Are you planning to bid on any, Meg?
ReplyDeleteI wish! I still have some residual PTSD after having all of my jewelry stolen right after I moved back here. I am going for the cheap & cheerful stuff these days.
DeleteThat Edwardian gemstone necklace would do nicely...
ReplyDeleteLove that piece, too! Actually, there are some really lovely pieces in the collection.
DeleteAs a huge Amelia Peabody mystery fan, I'm hoping to be there! Haven't dared look at the catalogue for fear of over-reaching.
ReplyDeleteI love those books!
DeleteNow we know where she got her jewelry for Amelia and Nefret. Beautiful pieces. She is a favorite author of mine! Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun to see her personal collection and then tie it into the books.
DeleteThe Native American pieces and the lava earrings would test by resolve to stop buying more jewelry than I remember I have. Although, the ultimate selling price might also do the trick. I, too, love reading mysteries, but have not read Elizabeth Peters. So, if I can't afford the jewels, at least I'll have a "good" read.
ReplyDeleteYou should try her books. They're fascinating reads.
DeleteI would give a body part for those carved lava earrings.
ReplyDeleteAren't they fabulous???
DeleteThe vintage photo,what a striking family resemblance. The location just a guess, did you venture up to Maine and Acadia national park?
ReplyDeleteIt's actually July on the top of Jay Peak in Vermont. Pretty chilly if my woolen sweater is any indication! But I have been to Acadia. It's a terrific place.
DeleteLove that first pic!! Love an auction and would be interesting to see bc it's such a range of lovely items
ReplyDeleteMy siblings and me in Vermont in July. Pretty chilly!
DeleteGorgeous pieces Meg!! I also started reading with the Nancy Drew Mysteries and the Hardy Boys!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
French Artist Frederique Chemin
They were the gateway drug!
DeleteYou are so much me! I love mysteries, worked in a bookstore, read lots of different authors but love Elizabeth Peters. And then my friend lived in Cairo for 14 years, could really identify with the setting. Love the jewelry, it would be hard to pick just one.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of great pieces in her collection!
DeleteWoolly jumpers in July - I know all about that! I do hope that you are going to go to the auction, you can always sit on your hands. But don't you think that, as a fan of the author, you deserve to bid for just a little something?! I don't know her books but shall look out for them now.
ReplyDeleteI am probably not going to make the auction, but it was fun to check out what was on offer!
DeleteSo, so, so, so fabulous. I love that floral business big time. And the mystery history behind it, even better.
ReplyDelete