What we do know, from the list of sources cited by Hugh Roberts inThe Queen's Diamonds, is that Christie's did an inventory and valuation of Mrs Greville's jewels.
There are several ways to gauge prices circa 1930s to 1940s. Rather than cite things like the cost of housing, bread, milk etc wages are a good indicator.
Various libraries have wage records. Some are accessible online. For example http://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/products/reports/qld-past-present/qld-past-present-1896-1996-ch05-sec-03.pdf and the State Library of Victoria https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/whatitcost/earnings
Jewellery ads in various magazines and newspapers provide prices for stock items for sale. Below are some ads from Tatler 1937.
Previous Message
According to Dame Margaret’s will jewellery over a certain value was left to the Queen. Does anyone know what that value would have purchased at the time?
204
Responses
« Back to index | View thread »