In the history of mankind were priceless artifacts, which for various reasons has been lost, hidden from the owners or they simply forgot.
Many of these treasures occasionally appear on the black market of Antiques, are in private collections. Others become legends. In our review we will talk about the amazing treasures that are now considered lost.
1. Lost mine of “the Dutchman”
The myth of the missing Dutchman and his mine is considered by many, is only a fairy tale. However, many have tried to find that treasure and died. Alleged gold mine was found during the 1840-ies in the Superstition mountains of Central Arizona. The family that discovered the mine, he developed it and took out the gold in Mexico, until a group of Apaches killed them. One or two people survived and fled to Mexico. So supposedly people found out about the mine.
The legend began to spread and many people claimed that or they have a map that marked the mine, or they know where he is. But each of them was a tragedy, before he had found the gold. In the 1870-ies of the German immigrant known as Jacob “Dutch” Waltz said that he re-opened the mine with the help of a descendant of the family. Soon after his partner was killed either by the Waltz, or the Apaches. Once health has deteriorated, the Dutchman allegedly told about the location of the mine to Julia Thomas, who had nursed him. But she never was able to find mine at the information that she provided.
2. The patent of the Wright brothers
In the National archives of the United States stores many of the most rare and valuable historical documents. However, despite the highest level of security in one of the most important anthropological storehouses in the world, the thieves managed to make some of the most priceless artifacts. Patent document, which described in detail the concept of a flying machine of the brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright were stolen who knows when, but it was discovered only in 2003.
Theft in files started to become so common that they created a special group on search of the stolen. Today managed to return a photo taken by astronauts during the moon landing, and sound recordings of the accident of the Hindenburg. Until then, until someone tries to auction the sketches of the aircraft 1900 years, no one will know where did the patent documents.
3. Necklace Patiala
The Patiala necklace was a decoration of great beauty, designed by the house of Cartier in 1928 Necklace was a gift to the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and consisted of five rows of platinum chains adorned with 2930 diamonds. Also it has been embellished with Burmese rubies, and in the center was the seventh largest diamond in the world — famous 234,6 CT yellow Debirs, about the size of a Golf ball. Precious necklace disappeared in 1948. The last person who saw him was the son of the Maharaja, Yadavindra Singh.
The necklace was found by a Cartier representative in London approximately 50 years later, but the gems were missing. Among them was diamond Debirs and Burmese rubies. Cartier necklace repaired to the extent possible, using cubic Zirconia and other precious stones. Today it is believed that a necklace worth $ 20-30 million was dismantled and sold in parts by the family of Maharaja.
4. Box Of Dutch Schultz
New York gangster Arthur Flegenheimer has created a criminal Empire that brought him $ 20 million a year. As he was pursued for tax evasion, gangster Packed his fortune in a metal box, and then put it in the Catskill mountains, in upstate new York.
He wanted to get his treasure, when the dust settles, because knew that many of the bandits, who stayed in prison, often lost their empires while remained in prison. Later, Arthur was found innocent, but the treasure he never dug up, because he was soon shot and killed during a meeting at the local diner. Due to the lack of the slightest hints about where the hidden legendary treasure, and a large area for a year, it has not been found.
5. Tanto Kunimitsu
Theft of national treasures is not a purely American problem. According to the Agency for cultural Affairs in Japan, of its directory of important artifacts and national treasures that are in private collections, disappeared without a trace 109 copies. Particularly complicating their search is the fact that artifacts are in private collections.
In the list of the missing artifacts were 10 paintings, 17 sculptures and 52 of the sword. They were either stolen, sold/transported to another location by the owners or just no one knows what happened to them after the death of the owner. Listed among the missing sword tanto of the 13th century, which has its own name “Kunimitsu”. After the death of its owner, his further whereabouts are unknown.
6. The parliamentary Mace of Victoria
The parliamentary Mace was a symbol of the constitutional rights of the people of great Britain and a symbol of the speaker of Parliament in the Victorian era. However, October 9, 1891, she suddenly disappeared. In the second half of the day of Parliament Thomas Jeffrey noticed running from the building, and in his hand was the package size is identical to the missing artifact.
The police found during the search in his house tools, which could crack the window, where he kept the Mace during the robbery. Due to lack of evidence Thomas was released. Some say that Mace was taken by members of the Royal house, after which she was left in a brothel as a joke. But evidence of this was found. Although Mace is a rather small value, reward for her return $ 50 000.
