I think that a number of people have realised over the years that, where possible, I like to use empirical evidence. This case is no exception. I would like to have access to the catalogue for the auction of the jewels of Lady Patricia Ramsay to see the precise description of the jewels and, where possible, the photos of those jewels. Obviously there are some photos as Vincent Meylan has published some in his book,
Christie's As I have not been able to find a copy of the catalogue, I have relied on some of the press descriptions of the auction of the jewels of Lady Patricia Ramsay. Some do not mention the diamond chain or the matching bracelets at all. None mentions the brooch, which Ursula appears to be saying was made from part of a bracelet.
In the newspaper reports of Queen Victoria's Jubilee presents I have seen mention of only one bracelet with a crown and the years 1837-1897. That is the one given to Victoria by her Household.
That does not bear any resemblance to the bracelet Ursula depicts, nor do I think it could form part of a totally different looking chain.
Certainly, the sketch of the chain of diamond links given to Queen Victoria by her younger children and their spouses does have a segment which looks like the bracelet in Ursula's site.
At the time of the auction in 1974
The Times had a reputation for accuracy. According to that newspaper the bracelets and the chain, which were sold as separate lots, fetched 9,400 pounds sterling.
Vincent Meylan gives the same value in his book on Christie's. As he has obviously had access to the archives at Christie's I am relying on his research.