#Meander tiara full#
Even without her full capacity the Lusitania could still achieve a speed of 21 knots, 10 knots faster that the German U boats.īy sheer misfortune at 2.10pm, within sight of the coast of Ireland, the Lusitania crossed in front of the German U-boat U-20, low on fuel and with only three torpedoes left she was ironically preparing to return home. In spite of the risks involved and the Imperial German Embassy of Washington placing a warning below an advertisement for the Lusitania's return voyage on the day of her departure, on, many felt that the ships speed made her safe.
On 4 February 1915, Germany declared the seas around the British Isles a war zone, and that allied ships entering British waters risked attack from German U boats without prior warning. At the outbreak of the Great War, although the Lusitania was considered for requisition, it was ruled out due to her size and the risk of U boats that such a large ship would present, as such she was to continue her transatlantic crossings reduced to one a month due to war time economies. The Lusitania began service in 1907, and at the time was the largest and one of the fastest ocean liners in service on the North Atlantic run, frequently taking the Blue Riband from her rivals. She was travelling to Great Britain to organise and open a hospital for Canadian servicemen. In 1915 Lady Allan booked passage on the RMS Lusitania travelling from New York to Liverpool, accompanied by two of her three daughters, Anna Marjory and Gwendolyn Evelyn, two maids: Emily Davis and Annie Walker, and a suite of luggage that included amongst her jewels, the Cartier diamond tiara.
Their surviving daughter Marguerite Martha, went on to found the “Montreal Repertory Theatre”, although her mother went on to outlive her by 15 years. Tragically Lady Allan lost both of her daughters, Anna and Gwendolyn in the sinking of the RMS Lusitania and their only son Hugh Allan in the Great War on his first patrol with the Royal Navy Air Service in Belgium in 1917. They had three daughters and one son, and lived in an imposing 72 room mansion, Ravenscrag, in Montreal, Quebec. In October 1893 he married Marguerite Ethel Mackenzie. In 1906 he was created a knight bachelor by King Edward VII and in the following year was decorated Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. The Allan Line, known as the Montreal Ocean Steam Ship Company, founded in 1852, operated from Glasgow and Liverpool carrying immigrants to Canada during the early 20th century, until it was taken over by the Canadian Pacific shipping Company in 1909. After studying at Bishop’s College School in Lennoxville, Quebec and in Paris, France, he joined the family business, the Allan Line, eventually becoming chairman.
He was a Canadian banker and ship owner and was also an avid sportsman who donated the Allan Cup for Canadian amateur ice hockey. Sir Hugh Allan commissioned the tiara for his wife Marguerite from Cartier in 1909. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE." Prospective buyers should also refer to refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue, in particular to the Notice regarding the treatment and condition of gemstones and to the Notice regarding import of Burmese jadeite and rubies into the US. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. We do not guarantee that watches are in working order. We do not guarantee, and are not responsible for any certificate from a gemological laboratory that may accompany the property. Please note that colour, clarity and weight of gemstones are statements of opinion only and not statements of fact by Sotheby's. "In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Case stamped Cartier, overall good condition with some minor scuffs to edges commensurate with age and wear.
#Meander tiara skin#
Pearls well matched in colour, with good skin and luster. Remaining diamonds weighing approximately 30.00 - 32.00 carats, bright and lively, on average G-I colour, VS clarity, as gauged and graded in the mount. Cushion-shaped central diamond estimated to weigh approximately 3.30 carats, on average F-G colour, VS clarity, as gauged and graded in the mounting. Mounted in platinum and gold, unmarked, unsigned.
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