Call Number:

C1403

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 1 box
• 0.2 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Henri Lemoine Diamond Fraud Collection, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1904-1907 (inclusive)

Form:

Contract documents -- 20th century. and Correspondence -- 20th century

Abstract:

Henri Lemoine was a French charlatan who, in 1904-1907, defrauded Sir Julius Wernher, a German-born British owner of South African diamond mining companies, out of thousands of pounds in a scheme to produce synthetic diamonds. The collection consists of papers relating to the men's contractual agreements: correspondence, contracts, letters of intent, and other documents.

Henri Lemoine was a French fraudster who claimed to be able to produce synthetic diamonds. In 1904 Lemoine contacted Sir Julius Wernher, a German-born British owner of South African diamond mining companies, to demonstrate his claim. Over the next three years, Wernher invested thousands of pounds in Lemoine's "secret" process. Lemoine was convicted of fraud in 1908 but left the country before sentencing.

The collection consists of contractual papers relating to Lemoine's claim to be able to make synthetic diamonds: correspondence, contracts, letters of intent, and other documents. Besides Lemoine, the other parties represented in the various agreements are Julius Wernher of Wernher, Beit & Co., William Feldenheimer of Feldenheimer & Co., and Jocelyn Brandon of Brandon & Nicholson.

Arranged by type of material and chronologically within.