Part 11 The Bell P-39 Airacobra Brooches - Historical Research - London, England - The United Kingdom

When this research began, approximately 10 years ago, a search was conducted for high end manufacturing jewelers that were in business from 1939 to present day. Many jewelers had changed owners, changed names, changed managers, etc.. -- This search included jewelers in The United States, Canada, as well as the jewelers in Europe, such as France, Italy, Belgium, England, and countries in The United Kingdom, and many more. These manufactuing jewelers had to meet certain criteria, such as, level of skill, access to precious metals, metallurgy, access to natural precious stones - diamonds, rubies, sapphires, quartz, design ability, security from German influence and contact, diamond cutters, engineering ability and skills, and a high end client base. -- All known information, pictures, and date line, were supplied to the jewelers. ---- Enquiries were sent to manufacturing jewelers such as Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., Wartski, Balfour, as well as jewelers located in the Buffalo, New York area, Niagara Falls area, New York, New York, Beverly Hills. Los Angeles, and the list goes on and on. ---- All jewelers were asked to search their historical records for any indication that they may have manufactured the two P-39 Airacobra Brooches. ---- The jewelers were also asked if there were any indication that they had conducted any personal business with Lawrence Dale "Larry" Bell, of The Bell Aircraft Company, ---- The responses to the enquires were basically the same -- either -- "we could not find these items in our historical records" - or - "no, we did not manufacture these items in question". ---- Keep in mind that these two P-39 Airacobra Brooches were manufactured over 80 years ago, in the middle of World War Two, and during "The Strategic Metals Act" activation and enforcement, for the WWll time period, both in The United States and The United Kingdom. ------- One notable jeweler also should be mentioned ------- During World War Two, a young man by the name of Theo Woodall, a member of the British Royal Air Force, RAF, was assigned the responsibility to make small parts for the P-39 Airacobra. Theo Woodall was assigned to the North Africa region. ---- Later in life, it was discovered that Theo Woodall was in reality - Theo Faberge' - ( Born September 26, 1922 -- Passed away August 20, 2007 ), grandson of Peter Carl Faberge', and son of Nicholas Faberge'. ---- Theo Faberge' had one daughter, Sarah Faberge'. ---- An enquiry, along with the research information, pictures and data, known at that point in time, was sent to Sarah Faberge'. -- Due to the extremely high level of quality and high level of skill required to make these two brooches, Sarah Faberge' became interested enough to search her fathers historical records to see if her father - during this time period, known as Theo Woodall, - could have made the "second" ( July 1945 ), silver, ( GVll ), P-39 Airacobra Brooch, -- Sarah Faberge's review of her fathers historical records did not reveal any information about the brooch. --- This is per correspondence dated January of 2017, Joanna Kupis, Personal Assistant of Sarah Faberge'. ----- A "Special Thank You !!" goes out to Sarah Faberge' and Joanna Kupis for their time, interest, and efforts in this historical research project. -------- Multiple indicators and recommended leads, as to where to enquire, for information concerning the two brooches basically pointed in one direction. -------- Garrard & Co., London, England managed, at this point in time, 1940 thru 1945, by Sabastian Henry Garrard, " The British Crown Jeweller" -------- Also known as Major Harry Garrard, of the British Military, serving under King George VI ------ Major Henry Garrard passed away February 23, 1946 ------ Garrard & Co. was the "British Crown Jeweller" from 1843 to 2007 ------ In 2007, The House of Garrard, was notified by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, that their services would no longer be required. -------------- Previous "Crown Jewellers" were --- David V. Thomas, 1991 thru 2007, of Garrard & Co. --- Harry Collins, 2008 thru 2012, of G. Collins & Son Limited --- Martin Swift, 2012 thru 2017, of Mappin & Webb, and the current "British Crown Jeweller" is Mark Appleby, of Mappin & Webb, who was appointed to this position in 2017 to present, by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll. ----------------- Multiple enquiries were sent, along with all of the known information, pictures, and data, to The House of Garrard. - Months passed with no response. ---- Then, an enquiry dated Sunday, December 2, 2018, was responded to on May 31, 2019, from XXXX Executive at The House of Garrard. -- The reply was as follows --- "Quote" --- " Unfortunately I am not sure we would be able to provide you with any more information than you already seem to be in possession of. We do keep records of royal purchases but they are sealed for confidentially reasons, therefore, I would not be able to assist in that respect. If you were for example wanting to know the value of the pieces, we can arrange an independent valuation by our valuer which would help you with insurance documents. ---- Please let me know if there is anything further I can assist you with." - End Quote - --------- A response to this correspondence, to arrange for a meeting at The House of Garrard, in London, was sent -- The return response came back as "undeliverable". ----- Many responses were sent to The House of Garrard, in London, with "no" response. -------- Then on Monday, November 12, 2019, a response from a "Senior Sales Executive", at The House of Garrard, was received. ---- "Quote" ---- "Apologies, XXXX Executive no longer works for Garrard. ---- In regards to your brooch, unfortunately this is something that we are unable to assist you with. Please do not bring it to our store in London. ---- Our field is jewellery and jewellery only. I would advise contacting a local valuer in the U.S. to assist you as we have since ceased valuing items of jewellery." -- End Quote -- ( The above is exactly as it was written in the enquiry "responding correspondence" from The House of Garrard, London ) -- ( The actual names are withheld for this posting. ) -------------------- These two pieces of correspondence from The House of Garrard points to the following: ------ 1) Indications are, due to the time for responding back, that a historical records search was conducted. -- 2) The historical information provided in the original enquiry provided to The House of Garrard, was accurate. -- 3) No historical corrections were offered by The House of Garrard. -- 4) It was voluntarily stated, that Royal Family records are kept. -- 5) It was voluntarily stated, that Royal Family purchases are confidential and are sealed. This indicates that information is governed by a Royal agreement of confidentiality -- 5) It is indicated, That The House of Garrard is unable to disclose information concerning the two brooches. -- 6) It is indicated, that The House of Garrard can not be placed in a position, face to face, to give a "yes" or "no" answer as to, whether the two brooches were made by Garrard & Co.. - ( Quote - "Please do not bring it to our store in London" ) -- 7) It is indicated, that the two P-39 Airacobra brooches should be considered and were intended to be more as "Royal War Medals" or "Royal War Commendations", verses "normal every day high-end jewellery items". This could only be known if the original manufacturing records and information, in their possession, indicated or stated this to be the case. -- 8) The original enquiry sent to The House of Garrard was only concerned with the search for the manufacturing historical data and information. An appraisal or value was not indicated, nor was it requested. -- 9) A point to consider, in 2007, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II informed The House of Garrard, that as "The British Crown Jeweller" that their services would no longer be required. -- and -- thus, the appointment of Mark Appleby as the new "British Crown Jeweller" in 2017. -------- It is understood that this action could result in an awkward position for both sides, at the same time, an environment of mutual understanding, trust, and commitment, must be maintained. History is the foundation of the Future. ---------- A special "Thank You" to the people at The House of Garrard, for their time, effort, understanding, and concern spent on this historical research project. There is no doubt, that The House of Garrard, has been, and will continue to be, a true leader in the high-end jewellery market and trade. -------- "Google" -- Parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 The Bell P-39 Airacobra Brooches of Lawrence Dale "Larry" Bell, Founder of The Bell Aircraft Company. ---- The intent of this posting is to generate comments or questions of a factual historical or educational nature, contact -- Wayne Hugh Long -- email, - whlong2715@gmail.com ---- Updated 4-10-2023.