The French Blue at The Mount02:29PM / Friday, October 30, 2009
LENOX, Mass. - On Thursday, November 19th, The Mount is pleased to present a reading and book-signing in The Mount’s drawing room featuring Richard Wise’s new novel, The French Blue. A reception will follow the event.
The adventures, loves, life, and times of the 17th century adventurer, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, are chronicled by Richard W. Wise in his first novel, The French Blue. Now, almost 400 years since Tavernier’s birth, his legacy includes not only his writings but also his lasting reputation as the man who found and sold the world’s most famous gem, The French Blue, known today around the world as The Hope Diamond.
Richard Wise’s sweeping historical epic is based on true events recounted by Tavernier himself in his 17th century best seller, The Six Voyages. In this captivating journey, Wise sweeps the reader along time and space as Tavernier wheels and deals, buying and selling rare gemstones and jewels. Voyage by voyage--through pirate attacks, wars, desert treks and storms at sea--Wise vividly brings Tavernier to life as he embarks on a pearling expedition or ferrets out the diamonds of Kollūr and the rubies of Burma’s Valley of the Serpents.
Richard W. Wise is a self-taught goldsmith and a Graduate Gemologist, as well as an international gem dealer. He is a former Gemology Columnist for National Jeweler and contributing editor for Gemkey and Gem Market News. His articles on gemstones have appeared in Gems & Gemology, Colored Stone, Lapidary Journal, Jeweler’s Quarterly, JQ, Jewelry News Asia, Modern Silver and many other publications. Since its publication in 2003, his first book, Secrets Of The Gem Trade: The Connoisseur’s Guide to Precious Gemstones, has become a critically acclaimed success, with over 30,000 copies sold. To learn more about his newest book, visit www.thefrenchblue.com.
The reading will take place on Thursday, November 19th at 6 pm in The Mount’s drawing room and will be followed by a reception. The Mount is located at 2 Plunkett Street in Lenox, just east of the intersection of Plunkett and Route 7.
Admission is free, however, as space is limited, reservations are strongly encouraged. To reserve tickets, or for more information, please call The Mount at 413-551-5111 or visit www.edithwharton.org. |
