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Speculation on a bracelet Posted by kat max on May 26, 2019, 3:34 pm I'm still looking at Russian jewels at the moment. I finally managed to get my hands on a copy of 'the secret archives of Boucheron' by Vincent Meylan via the library. I had tried to purchase this book years ago but it always seemed out of stock. The few copies online to purchase have stupid expensive prices on them. Looking at the section on Nicholas and Alexandra of Russia on page 96 Meylan states: "A week later the engaged couple were in Coburg again when Princess Alix received her first engagement prsents. 'She almost fainted when I gave her your magnificent present'. Nicky wrote to his mother. The present in question, a bracelet, was set with emeralds as big as hazelnuts.". Ursula recently replied to me advising me this gift on this occasion was a sapphire brooch, but I have to say this seems to back up other sources I've come across....and I had to wonder....is the bracelet Alexandra is wearing in this engagement photo this gift? However, going through 'a lifelong passion' which gives the diaries and letters of Nicholas and Alexandra it seems these photos were taken BEFORE the gift was given. 8th April 1894 - Nicholas II & Alexandra engaged at Coburg. 9th April 1894 - Group photo in the garden of all royalties at Coburg 11th April 1894 - photos of Nicholas & Alexandra taken in Coburg outdoors both in groups and pairs and the public broke into the garden while this is being done. 14th April 1894 - Empress Marie sends Nicholas a small easter egg (no mention of Faberge here) 14th April 1894 - Coburg Alexandra and her sisters and Nicholas all go to the local photographer for various poses in singles and groups. 15th April 1894 - Alexandra gives Nicholas a ring. 16th April 1894 - Nicholas receives an order of gifts from his parents for Alexandra including Easter eggs.(no mention of Faberge either) 18th April 1894 - Alexandra writes to Empress Marie thanking her for 'those beautiful stones'. on the same day Nicholas writes to his mother saying Alex "almost fainted" when she was given the present and that she wore it for the first time . I thought some might find this interesting. It so easy to misinterpret things...and it looks like this is NOT an engagement gift bracelet. I would have been nice to confirm it was but the evidence so far doesn't back that up.

Re: Speculation on a bracelet Posted by Beth on May 26, 2019, 5:41 pm, in reply to "Speculation on a bracelet" You have certainly grabbed my attention Kat Max!! I am eagerly looking forward to seeing the mystery solved. One point which occurred to me-- 1. Do you have a firm date for the photo you posted? Is it definitely from the 14 April session? I know (now) that the photo you posted is said to be the official engagement photo. Yet, the UK royal collection does not have a copy. They do have another photo (I'll post below) which it says was taken in Coburg in April 1894. From other photos on the net, it would appear that the same strip of carpet and flooring pattern is in both sets of photos -- so I assume that they were all taken in Coburg in April 1894. But, would it be likely that the couple took a change of clothes and different jewels to the photographic studio? I also feel there are slight differences in Alexandra's hair style in the two photos. Could there have been 2 photographic sessions? https://www.rct.uk/collection/search#/1/collection/2926924/nicholas-ii-emperor-of-russia-when-tsesarevich-and-alexandra-feodorovna-empress

Re: Speculation on a bracelet Posted by kat max on May 26, 2019, 7:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Speculation on a bracelet" You have the big outstanding questions below. There are a number of "engagement" images of Nicholas and Alexandra, with Alexandra only wearing rather simple jewellery in all of them. She wasn't noted for having any elaborate jewellery before her engagement. However, what I have listed in my last post is all that was noted in the book about photo sessions. Its funny how dating these things precisely can be important sometimes. For what it's worth here's another image from the same photo session with the Coburg photographer's name on it. You can also see Alexandra's other arm here with a different set of bracelets on it. and here's another version of the earlier photo with the Coburg photographer details. Here's another version of your image with the same Coburg photographer details as the other image. So, all photos can be traced back to photographer Eduard Uhlenhuth of Coburg. https://www.rct.uk/sites/default/files/collection-online/2/9/519541-1424805721.jpg Previous Message You have certainly grabbed my attention Kat Max!! I am eagerly looking forward to seeing the mystery solved. One point which occurred to me-- 1. Do you have a firm date for the photo you posted? Is it definitely from the 14 April session? so I assume that they were all taken in Coburg in April 1894. But, would it be likely that the couple took a change of clothes and different jewels to the photographic studio? I also feel there are slight differences in Alexandra's hair style in the two photos. Could there have been 2 photographic sessions?

Re: Speculation on a bracelet Posted by Beth on May 27, 2019, 6:57 am, in reply to "Re: Speculation on a bracelet" Thanks Kat Max. This is a great mystery. Another line of thought -- have you noticed that, in the first photo you posted late yesterday, Nicholas is wearing a ring on his left hand? Can we ascertain if he was wearing that ring in the Coburg engagement photos of him in civilian day clothes? If he wasn't wearing a ring for those photos that might support the idea that the photos were taken on different days, as Alexandra didn't give him the ring until 15 April. But I think that what you need is a description of the engagement gift bracelet. The one you are interested in has cabochon stones. The one I can see is a deep stone, but would someone classify it as as large as a hazel nut? I find it very hard to gauge sizes so I cannot comment on that aspect.

Re: Speculation on a bracelet - reference found Posted by kat max on June 1, 2019, 10:58 pm, in reply to "Re: Speculation on a bracelet" I don't know if anyone will see this, but I tracked down the reference to a bracelet being gifted to Alexandra from Alexander III and Marie Feodrovna. 'The letters of Tsar Nicholas and Empress Marie" by Edward J. Bing, 1937 In a letter placed between 18 April 1894 and 19th May 1894 Empress Marie - Gatchina (undated) Nicky, I am sending you this delightful (bracelet). I think you could give it to your fiancee as a present, if you don't want to, just return it to me when you come back. I hope she will like the present; give it to her from both of us. Ask her also which stones she likes most; sapphires [marginal note in Nicholas hand: "has none"] or emeralds? I would like to know for the future. Nicholas to Marie, Koburg 18th April 1894 ...."She nearly had a fit when I gave her your perfect present. She put it on for the first time yesterday for a dinner party where guests were present." This doesn't tell us what the stones in the braclet were though its usually written up as being emeralds. I've always heard that Alexandra's favourite 'stones' were actually pearls, and in fact you usually see photos of her wearing them on a daily basis.

Re: Speculation on a bracelet - reference found Posted by Beth on June 3, 2019, 5:56 am, in reply to "Re: Speculation on a bracelet - reference found" Thanks Kat Max! I am really enjoying seeing how this investigation unfolds. If Alexandra first wore the bracelet for a dinner on the 17th, I wonder what other dates might have been available for photos to be taken?

Re: Speculation on a bracelet - more info Posted by kat max on June 9, 2019, 3:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Speculation on a bracelet - reference found" source: Correspondence of the empress Alexandra of Russia with Ernst Ludwig and Elenore Grand Duke and Duchess of Hesse 1878-1916 by Petra H. Kleinpenning, 2010 No. 103 Alix to Ernst Ludwith Palais Ednburg, Coburg 18/30 April 1894 ....I recieved a glorious present from Nicky's parents, wh. you must see, and the H. Catherine's order." No.106 - Alix to Enst Ludwig Windsor Castle 30 April/12 May 1894 ...If only Wondra* wld. hurry with things, - otherwise Nicky will never get them on the 18th. * Ph. Wondra, court jeweller to the Hessian grand-ducal court at 16 Ludwigstrase, Darmstadt. No.108 - Alix to Ernst Ludwig, Harrogate - Saturday, 21 May/2 June 1894 ....How pretty Wondra made the links; the matchbox I hear is coming next week, so I shall keep it now till the dear creature (Nicholas) comes..... No.109 - Alix to Ernst Ludwig Harrogate - Thursday 26 May/7 June 1894 ...Nicky gave me a magnificent bracelet in diamonds with a clasp of diamonds & two rubies, to be worn with a brooch too.* *These were sent in advance of Nicholas' arrival in England for Alix's birthday which was on the 6th June. There are no letters from Alix to her brother during Nicholas stay and she does not mention any other jewellery gifts before her wedding.

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