This is interesting, received the following email from Alan:
"hi please can you help me in my research recently a clock came into my possession by way of an auction this clock is a kund clock German made it is about sixty years old and on it is a inscription which reads ORANJEMUND DIAMOND PRINCESS 1954 I would like to find out as much as I can about this who was the diamond princess and try to track its journey through time to arrive all this time still in pristine condition and working many thanks to all those who can assist me in my quest
regards
alan"
Can anyone out there shed light on the clock?
I can't help you with the clock but I can tell you that my wife, Edna, was Diamond Queen in 1954. She was elected with two princesses whose names I can't recall. The Diamond Queen was given a number of quite valuable prizes as were the runners-up. The clock was possibly one of those which went to the princesses so there must have been two clocks.
Ricki Barron's mother might be able to supply more information.
Thanks For that Bob!
Mr.Creedy, you out there?
Bob , do you perhaps have a picture of 1954 queen and princesse ? that might help to identify
On Behalf of Bob Molloy, I post the following :
"This is a pic of Edna Molloy on the catwalk. Diamond Queen Ball 1954 Unfortunately it does not include a shot of the two Princesses who were given clocks as prizes."
The MOTHS always presented the Diamond Queen ball. Would they not have a record of this somewhere?
a snippet from my scraps: re happenings in Oranjemund . September 1956 . " Oranjemund enjoyed another social occasion , when the Oranjemund players , in close collaboration with with management and staff of the retail store , staged a mannequin parade in the ballroom of the rec club . The atmosphere was delightfully set from the start The décor was in excellent taste , seating being arranged for 250 guests at tables around the T shaped rostrum which formed the walk for the models . Sherry and snacks were served by members of the players . Some sixty gowns were modeled by twelve local girls chosen from volunteers for their size in order to enable a full range of dresses and other fittings to be adequately displayed
another piece : March 1954 " The Oranjemund M O T H S entertained the general public to a free dance and floor show . The Diamond Queen , Mrs. Edna Molloy , drew the raffle from a revolving drum for the prize winners . Mr J Delport won the first prize , a cheque for 25 pounds .... sorry princess name 1954 ?? still eluding . The queen for 1955 was Shirley Thomas , princesses mrs. D. Solms & mrs. J. Taylor . After crowning the GM , Mr. Devlin made the presentations . This year the Queen received an inscribed wristlet watch , and each princess an inscribed bracelet .
Alan : Would you please be so kind as to add a picture to this page -Pictures of the front and back of the watch - Is it gold or stainless ? The make etc ? that will add to the history - thanks
Quote from: henniek on June 11, 2014, 06:00:19 AM
Alan : Would you please be so kind as to add a picture to this page -Pictures of the front and back of the watch - Is it gold or stainless ? The make etc ? that will add to the history - thanks
Think that might be of interest!
Look at the picture of Edna . on the left one can see [partially] two examples of contemporary art designed by Mr. Hans Rhode . these sculptures were figures of a kneeling man - named "the digger " and of a woman "Young Love " each made from sheet metal and steel wire . the potted plants and flowers arranged by the garden club
have attached photo of clock hope that it is o.k apologies for late reply as I am on holiday in Portugal at moment
thank you Alan . this realy add value to this bit of history . Question , where did you find this valueable item ?
this clock came up at an auction the fact that it had an inscription connnecting it to a diamond princess 1954 prompted me to bid ehen i return from holiday i will post a more detailed photo with the inscription
second one.....it just might be 1954
thanks for these photo's every little snippet of information helps shall be home from Portugal on sunday so will send a better range of photos
regards
alan
hi here are the other photos as promised I do hope they will jog some memories
Thanks Alan , this really added value- another bit of history that we can treasure .
Question - when was the first diamond queen ball held ? 1953 ? where is Old Bill Basil Raines - MOTH ? 1950 's ? does anybody remember him - he organized the diamond queen ball events ??
while we are on the social events: 1960 October the annual Masonic ball took place. The Masons engaged a six-piece dance band from cape town . Apart from the special band , each lady was presented with a daintily packaged handkerchief , while her escort had a carnation pinned to the lapel of his jacket
Attention Bob Molloy: Does the names "Doreen " and "Monica " as princes's ring a bell ?
Memory is unreliable at this distance from the event. The only likely people were Doreen Wright and Monica Watson, but I can't recall that they were Diamond Queen Ball princesses.
all of this information about diamond queen is fantastic now some names i do hope at some point names can be authenticated but i do appreciate it was a long time ago once again thanks to all those who looking
Attention Allan : the plot thickens . Your clock - did you buy it in England , South Africa , or Europe. tis is very important , and secondly your clock is missing its glass dome . I attaché a pic of mine - sadly lost - things always go missing when one move to another location . sort of evaporated in thin air , so I can not give a better picture - look in the background on the sideboard - directly above the dogs head
I wonder if Namdeb/CDM has any records of this.
I'll forward this topic to the Namdeb Information Officer.
I am positive that I have the story - But needs verification and permission from people involved . People who can verify are far and few between - as Bob said that things that distant gets fuzzy and confusing . Some old timers .. looking through the mists of time do remember certain things - it just needs to be put in order ! Allan . This is what I have. The diamond princesses received a bracelet and medallion . the husband of one of the princess , glued the medallion to the base of their mantelpiece clock . So , the clock was not the prize for the princess. but I believe they got some other things like Gold Premium Whiskey etc . They emigrated to England . The clock broke . most probably the tout wire that suspend the 4 x oscillating pendulum balls , and between moves the out of order clock was lost .
hi thanks for all info yes the clock has a glass dome I removed for photos I came across this clock on an auction site here in England and since you mentioned "medallion" on a closer look it does appear that a medallion is in fact glued to the base so that clears up a lot
the clock has since been repaired and is working o.k keeps good time I shall keep visiting your web site I find it interesting maybe one day I would love to visit your town but I myself am in the advanced years so if I intend to visit it would have to be in the next 2/3years
my regards to all please keep safe and well
alan
At first - I thought the clock was lost , but in fact the clock was donated to a charity shop in Kent . [ To clarify - give to a "Charity shop" is our way of saying one has been burgled and items stolen ] This Happened early 1990's so the clock was actually stolen . Allan - do you know who the seller was ? The clock was bought in Luderitz around 1955 1956 .. - most probably at Metje and Zeiglar' s shop . They were the importers of linen , fine crockery , jewelry , utensils , well almost everything one could even buy a car from them
Wow! Hennie, stirling work, the clock is starting to have an interesting history....
o.k I will get everthing I know together i.e place of purchase person purchased from and any other info I can to help you what worries me now is that I may be in possession of stolen property image031
o.k this is what info I have
purchased from ebay seller 15 may 2014
www.ebay.ie/usr/blackforestart (http://www.ebay.ie/usr/blackforestart)
click on feedback score scroll down look for 15 may 14.20pm there you can review item
do hope this will help its such a lovely clock
Allan : Inside a Metje & Ziegler shop-
it sure looked an interesting shop
Alan , now it is up to you to see if you can retrieve a few things from the past , and keep us up to date ??
Alan - don't miss it - the signboards in Metje and Zieglers shop is all in German
a example of what the princess ' s bracelet might have looked like - It was just that the medallion was different
hi
thanks for pics well so far I have not got anywhere but will not give up yet will keep trying
a diamond queen and princesses
the pic I posted - I am quite sure it was 1954. And .. Allan You bought a very nice clock - be proud of it - I would . Thanks for sharing
yes the clock is magnificent it sits proudly on the shelf above the fire I will always think of the Oranjemunders when I look at it.
I would like to thank all those who have assisted with my quest I will continue to find out more if I can as to what happened when the clock reached England it has been an honour to communicate with all concerned I shall continue to visit the web site I wish you all good luck and a prosperous future and pray you all keep well
many regards
Alan
1954 . pricesses- Doreen , and Monica . The diamond queen. this is open to corection but might be - mrs Dupinto - on the right - Is that Hennie du Toit .