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Remarkable heart-shaped opal and diamond pendant brooch from the family collection of Edwin Booth, the foremost American Shakespearean actor of the 19th century and brother of Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth. The piece features a gorgeous polished heart-shaped iridescent Australian white opal set into a 14K yellow gold frame, stamped "Kirkpatrick" on the reverse, surrounded by 32 mounted diamonds (estimated weight: 4.80 carat, average clarity: VS1, average color: F–G), with a smaller cabochon opal pendant loop above, inset with four diamonds (estimated weight: 0.30 carat, average clarity: VS1, average color: F–G). Housed in a heart-shaped white leather box, gilt-stamped "E.B.G. 1895" on the lid, with the jeweler's mark of T. Kirkpatrick, 941 Broadway, New York, inside the lid. In fine condition, with heavy soiling and wear to the case.
Originates directly from the collection of the great-great granddaughter of Edwin Booth, who inherited it from her mother Lois Grossmann White. She inherited the brooch from her father, Edwin Booth Grossmann, who inherited it from his mother, Edwina Booth Grossmann, the daughter of Edwin Booth.
