A Diamond in the Rough

by Marilyn Land

  Marcus and Jake were due to fly to New York in late January for meetings; they only planned to be in the City for three days before returning to London.

  Although serious snowfall events happen rarely, when they come, the UK normally isn’t prepared. From 22 January to 17 March, snow fell somewhere in England every single day. The snow accumulated quickly, causing major problems compounded by temperatures that rarely rose more than a degree or two above zero.

  London was at a standstill. The armed services were brought in to drop supplies to people in danger, trapped in their homes due to blocked roads and railways, as villages throughout England became cut off and isolated.

  Early March was also bad, with gales and heavy snow. Meanwhile in the southwest much milder air pushed northeast bringing a thaw and heavy rain. Flooding was widespread as the frozen ground prevented melting water from being absorbed. Eventually the floods subsided, but the devastation remained and only added to the frustration of post war efforts to rebuild.

  Unaffected, the Underground became a lifeline to those areas in and around London. From time to time, Jake went to the City and met with Marcus at De Beers, later having dinner with him and Elena who joined them. He continued with the courses offered by Jewelers of America; he kept in touch by phone when the lines weren’t down; and he pored over the many articles and magazines he had picked up in New York covering the diamond industry.

  He also spent a great deal of time at the cottage. Wendy was grateful that he was around to check on her and Jason. For days at a time, there was no school, and Jake welcomed the company when Wendy came to do her housekeeping and brought Jason along. When the weather allowed, they ventured into the village for food supplies and dropped in to see Mandy.

  Evenings found Jake in front of the fireplace with thoughts of Lexi. Try as he may, he could not bring himself to accept the fact that she was living thousands of miles away with a husband other than himself and a child that was not his. Where had he gone wrong? If they had not met in London and her actions were based on his letter, it made sense; after all he did tell her he felt he had no right to ask her to wait for him. But meet they did; and he proposed and she accepted, so it made no sense to him whatsoever.

  His life since being discharged from the RAF was more than he ever dreamed. The cottage couldn’t suit his needs better than if he had built it from the ground up. He was flying again, and he was travelling by plane to New York regularly. The world his father had introduced him to, the world of diamonds, was his world now, and he was anxious to put all that his Papa had taught him to good use. He loved New York, and all it had to offer; it was vibrant, alive, and spoke of the future. A future he only yearned to share with Lexi.

  Though there were no upcoming meetings with De Beers, Jake was planning to return to New York in late March. He planned on making a few personal contacts that would aid him going forward. Al Cohen at Jewelers of America offered his help. Two days prior to his flight, he received a call from Al requesting a postponement due to a recently declared medical emergency.

  In mid-March 1947, New York City faced a smallpox outbreak that lasted for one month. The outbreak marked two milestones for the Country. First, it became the largest mass vaccination effort ever conducted for smallpox, and second, it marked the last outbreak of smallpox in America. The rapid response was credited with limiting the outbreak to 12 people, ten of whom recovered, while two died.

  In April, after months of delays, Jake boarded a Pan Am flight to New York. On the plane, to his surprise was Joe Hanks. They arranged to switch seats so they could sit together.

  “You’re the last person I expected to see on this plane.

  Joe laughed. “Well, I could say the same. Where are you off to?”

  “We know each other through the aerodrome, so I know what you do; but I have another life, and it’s diamonds. I’m a consultant for a large diamond distributor. I’ve been trying to get to New York for months, but the weather and other issues have put me off until now. I only plan to be there for less than a week.

  “Why are you headed to New York?”

  “I too have business in New York; I’m meeting with two banks. Then I’m on to Kansas to meet with Beech Aircraft. They have a new plane that debuted last month, and we’re looking to purchase one, possibly two for the aerodrome.”

  He reached into his briefcase and pulled out an advertisement that was due to appear in the May issues of several magazines. “Have a look Jake; this is the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. Isn’t she a beauty?”

  Jake read and reread the specifications; the more he read the more excited he became. The full-page ad featured a picture of the Bonanza 35 and touted it as the first economical plane for business—fully equipped for travel anytime, anywhere, with two-way radio, landing lights, and heater.

  The Beech Aircraft Corporation, confident in its manufacturing capacity after building more than 7,000 combat aircraft during WWII, positioned itself for the postwar era by designing a revolutionary single-engine aircraft with a V-tail configuration that trimmed weight without compromising control.

  The Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza was a four-passenger state-of-the-art aircraft built like the fighters developed during the War, featuring an easier to manage horizontally-opposed six cylinder engine, a rakishly streamlined shape, retractable nosewheel undercarriage, and was a relatively fast, low-wing, all metal monoplane at a time when most light aircraft were still made of wood and fabric.

  By the time the company announced that full-scale production would begin in March 1947, it already had a backlog of 1,500 orders. It was a moment for the benefits of wartime experience to pay off; about 1,000 deliveries were due to be made by the end of the year.

  For a price tag of $7,975, you could own your very own plane.

  For the remainder of their flight to La Guardia, they spoke of aviation. Joe outlined his vision for the aerodrome. He told Jake that business was good, and that although they were holding their own and turning a fair profit, they felt that moving forward they had to offer the newest and the best to their customers, or they would be left behind. “The new planes will introduce our newest service—Charter Flights.”

  Jake agreed. “You’re absolutely right about being left behind. I knew that general aviation would probably be one of the biggest advancements to come out of the War. It was well on its way, when war broke out. Take us for example.

  “How fantastic is it that we can leave London and be in New York City fifteen hours later? Aviation will be the travel venue of choice sooner than any of us expected.

  “Please let me know if you have any problems with the banks; I have a few contacts that may be able to help you.”

  They kept in touch, and had dinner together the night before Jake was due to return to London. At the restaurant, Joe told Jake that he was only able to secure a loan for one plane.

  The next day instead of returning home, Jake accompanied Joe to the bank where he personally guaranteed the loan for the second plane. That afternoon, they boarded a train to Wichita, Kansas to meet with Beech Aircraft. Joe purchased two planes for Eagle Aerodrome; Jake purchased a plane for himself; the plane would be kept in a hanger at the aerodrome. They were promised delivery in the spring of 1948.

  Two days later, they were on a train back to New York for their flight home.

  The Bonanza 35 had a range of 1,024 miles. He couldn’t fly the plane from England to the States, but he could fly it to many places in Europe—Paris, Rome, Venice, and more. If and when De Beers expanded its ad campaign, his plane could be a real advantage.

  Before leaving for New York, Jake had gotten tickets for Bless the Bride opening at the Adelphi Theatre in London on April 26th. He invited Marcus and Elena to join him for dinner and the theatre in the City.

  He had been back for a week, and although he had seen Marcus at a business meeting, they didn’t have a chance to discuss
his recent trip to the States. At dinner, Jake took the opportunity to fill them in.

  “I met a friend on my flight to La Guardia; he and his cousin own Eagle Aerodrome in Northleach where I occasionally rent a plane and take it up for an hour or two. He was on his way to Kansas via New York to purchase two new planes for their new charter service that will begin when they take delivery.

  “He showed me an advertisement coming out in several magazines in their May issues featuring a Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza, and what a beauty she is. I’m afraid I flipped out when I saw the ad. Anyway, to make a long story short, I accompanied him to Wichita, Kansas.

  “He purchased two planes for the aerodrome; and I purchased a plane for myself. It’s a four passenger with a range of over a thousand miles and quite economical to fly and maintain. We won’t have delivery until sometime next year in the spring.”

  They had dessert, and left the restaurant for the short walk to the theatre.

  After the show, Jake caught the train back to the Cotswolds. Marcus and Elena picked up their car; on the drive home, Marcus commented.

  “Did you notice that Jake did not mention the word diamonds a single time?”

  “No, I guess I was caught up in his obvious excitement about the new plane. I’m sure you didn’t miss that. Were you expecting to discuss business? You usually stay away from anything De Beers when we dine out even when we have no plans afterwards.

  “It was a lovely evening, and we have Jake to thank for it. The show was marvelous. Don’t you agree?”

  “It wasn’t a matter of expecting our conversation to lead to anything in particular; I guess I was just taken aback about his enthusiasm, and as you put it, his obvious excitement about a plane. I’ve never known him to show this kind of passion for anything—anything except his Love for Lexi Portman.

  “Yes, I agree; it was a lovely evening, and the show was marvelous. I’m amazed he was able to get the tickets; the show has been sold out for months.”

  “Why Marcus, are you jealous? Are you upset that he is channeling his passion to flying instead of diamonds since he lost Lexi? I don’t think you’re being fair to him, and that’s not like you.”

  “Elena, you know me better than I know myself; that’s why I love you so much.”

  As the weather improved, he found himself at the aerodrome taking up a plane when one was available every chance he got. He became good friends with Joe who readily shared with him his vision of the future of Eagle Aerodrome, as well as the fact that his cousin didn’t share the same vision.

  After spending his morning flying, Jake returned home to find a letter from South Africa addressed to him. Noticing that the return address was not from his Uncle Benjamin, he hurriedly tore open the envelope and removed the letter.

  Dear Jacob,

  As Rabbi of the Great Synagogue your Uncle Benjamin attends, I am writing to you at the request of a concerned friend.

  Ben was diagnosed with Tuberculosis earlier this year and has been confined to a Sanatorium for treatment. I am happy to inform you that I visited with him recently, and he is doing quite well. If he continues to improve as the doctors expect him to, he will be released in several weeks.

  Friends close to him have informed me that he has not written to you because he didn’t want to give you the impression that it was necessary to come at once to Cape Town to see him. I’ve been told you were recently discharged from the RAF.

  I might add that I knew your Uncle Sidney too, and I am sorry for your loss. He was a fine and decent man.

  I am certain as time passes, and the day for Ben to return home approaches, he will write to you. He has told us all that you are planning a visit when you get things settled in England. His upcoming release appears a better time for you to plan that visit.

  Ben is lucky to have friends who care so much for him that they encouraged me to write to you. It will be our secret. I ask that you allow him to tell you about his illness when he is ready.

  God Bless you, and may he keep you safe and well.

  Rabbi Reuben Morris

  Jake’s first reaction was guilt. It had been over a year since he had written to his uncle. He had been so wrapped up in travelling back and forth to New York, getting his license and flying again, and now actually buying a plane.

  In all fairness, he hadn’t heard from his uncle either, and he didn’t really know Benjamin. He was sorry to hear that he was not well, but happy to learn that he was on the mend. He made a mental note to make definite plans to take a trip to Cape Town as soon as he learned Benjamin was home.

  The engagement of Princess Elizabeth to Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh was officially announced on 9 July 1947. Though secretly engaged for over a year, they granted the King’s request to delay the announcement until Elizabeth’s 21st birthday the following April. She had fallen in love with Philip at the age of thirteen. As Jake heard their story repeatedly over the BBC, his thoughts were of Lexi.

  Marcus needn’t have worried. He followed through on everything he was asked to do for De Beers. In September, he traveled once again to New York to coordinate the ad campaign for the upcoming Holiday Season.

  Upon learning he was in town, Al invited him to sit in on a meeting with Jewelers of America’s planning committee. Seeking to expand the sponsorship of their upcoming New York Trade Show, they not only encouraged input from De Beers, but also assured Jake that any part the Company wished to play would be welcomed.

  At a time when Trade Shows were becoming both Grand and Central, they were planning to hold their next show at Grand Central Palace on Lexington Avenue, between 46th and 47th Streets, in late January 1948. Invitations to exhibitors would be in the mail by month’s end. The Show would be heavily advertised in their monthly publication National Jeweler and showcased as a must for exhibitors and retail jewelers alike. Side meetings, classes, and evening events were encouraged and a majority of the bigger names in the business were already onboard.

  De Beers’ commitment to promoting an extension of their ad campaign ultimately resulted in A Diamond is Forever appearing in every De Beers engagement ad from 1948 and lasting throughout the twentieth century.

  As the big day grew closer, London was abuzz with excitement. The wedding of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh took place on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey in London.

  The royal parties were brought by carriage processions. Eight bridesmaids and two pageboys attended Princess Elizabeth. Prince Phillip left Kensington Palace with his best man; Princess Elizabeth arrived at the Abbey with her father, King George, in the Irish State Coach as well wishers lined the streets waving and shouting to the happy couple.

  The wedding ceremony was officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York. The ceremony was recorded and broadcast by BBC Radio to 200 million people around the world. Elizabeth and Philip proceeded to Buckingham Palace where a breakfast was held at the Ball Supper Room.

  Upon their marriage, Elizabeth took the title of her husband and became Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh. They departed for their honeymoon at Broadlands in Hampshire, home of Philip’s uncle, Earl Mountbatten.

  The couple received over 2,500 wedding presents from around the world and 10,000 telegrams of congratulations.

  In November, Jake received an Invitation to attend the Jewelers of America Holiday Party on December 20th. The venue for the event was the Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Plaza. He was excited to learn that Marcus and Elena had also been invited and were looking forward to the party, as well. Knowing Elena had never flown, he set out to convince her, just as he had successfully convinced Marcus, to fly to New York.

  There was no need. Elena not only welcomed the party invitation but also looked forward to her first flight. She was eager to see for herself what this flying was all about and get a better understanding of how and why it had cap
tured Jake’s heart and soul.

  They left London on December 17th for a week’s stay in New York. This would allow them to attend the JA Party, see a Broadway Show or two, and have a mini holiday before returning home and spending time with their daughter and her family as they normally did.

  The party was The Party of the year. The food, the music, the entertainment was all unlike anything Jake had ever seen or experienced. When he learned Molly had come to the party alone, he invited her to spend the evening with him; the two friends had a great time together.

  They took in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes, and spent an evening at the Cinema watching Miracle on 34th Street, which was originally released in the UK as The Big Heart. They dined at a different restaurant each night and allowed themselves to absorb the magic of the holiday-decorated winter wonderland of New York City, the likes of which hadn’t been seen since before the War. To Marcus and Elena’s delight, Jake invited Molly to join them.

  As time drew close for them to fly back to London, Molly asked Jake to remain in the City and spend New Year’s Eve in Times Square counting down the seconds to 1948. He accepted.

  Marcus and Elena left for London on December 24th. The December 26th forecast for New York called for occasional flurries, but steady snow started falling in the wee hours of the night and was inches deep by the time most people were leaving for work. It continued falling hard all morning, making it impossible at times to see across the street. The snow clogged the switches to the Long Island Railroad, and many people never made it home. The lucky ones found hotel rooms, but others slept in railway stations. Theatres were kept open all night to provide shelter.

  The Great Blizzard of 1947 was a record-breaking snowfall that began the day after Christmas without prediction and brought the northeastern United States to a standstill—25.8 inches of snow fell in less than 24 hours.

  For Jake 1947 ended exactly as it had begun—in a Blizzard. He spent New Year’s Eve alone in his room at the Waldorf Astoria. The City’s streets piled high with snow were in no condition to accept revelers bringing in the New Year.