Nov. 8 is just around the corner, and it’s obviously a huge day given the implications for national politics in the U.S.
But it also marks the anniversary of an interesting event in the jewelry world: the delivery of the Hope Diamond, one of the most famous gems in U.S. history, to the Smithsonian’s natural history museum. The 45.52-carat diamond’s recorded history dates back several centuries. You can read about it at Encyclopedia Smithsonian.
On Nov. 8, 1958, a worker at the jewelry store of Harry Winston in New York mailed a package containing the dazzling blue diamond, which was covered by $1 million worth of insurance.
In Washington, D.C., mail carrier James G. Todd delivered the package to much fanfare from officials and the media, according to the blog of the National Postal Museum.
There have long been rumors that the diamond is cursed. And within a year, Todd “suffered a crushed leg and head wound in two separate automobile accidents, his wife died of a heart attack, his dog strangled on his leash, and Todd’s Seat Pleasant, Maryland, home was partially destroyed by fire,” according to the National Postal Museum.
But the mail carrier never believed in the supposed curse.
In fact, of the fire, he told the Washington Post: “Perhaps I’m actually having good luck. Thank God all four children were outside instead of in those rooms.”
The Hope Diamond remains on display at the Smithsonian to this day, and its value has been estimated at $250 million. The packaging in which it was delivered can be seen at the National Postal Museum.
Read more from the National Postal Museum
Nov. 8 marks the anniversary of the delivery of the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian.