THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 12, 1996 TAG: 9609100110
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 80 lines
Hampton Roads history buffs and aspiring treasure hunters are about to get a rare chance to see, touch and buy precious booty recovered from a Spanish treasure ship, sunk more than 374 years ago.
By doing so, they'll also have an opportunity to help area children and their families grappling with terminal illnesses.
Beginning Sept. 17, Facets Jewelers will host a four-day exhibit and sale of the shipwreck treasures in its downtown Norfolk showroom, on the first floor of Main Street Tower. For the debut of the treasures, a special slide show presentation and fund-raiser to benefit Edmarc Hospice for Children will be held Sept. 17 at Nauticus.
``I'm not in this for profit,'' said Mary Jo LeFevre, owner of Facets Jewelers. ``This exhibit is such a unique opportunity to hold and to own, not only a piece of history, but the tangible results of a dream. I got very caught up in this story ... and figured it was a great opportunity to donate some money to a great charity.''
The treasures are part of the recovered booty from the legendary Spanish galleon, Nuestra Senora de Atocha, the flagship of a treasure fleet that went down after encountering a hurricane near Havana in September 1622. Some 143 passengers and crew and a cargo that included 29 tons of silver and 3,500 ounces of gold went down with the ship.
Eleven years ago, after centuries of searching, an archaeological dive team, led by veteran Florida treasure hunter Mel Fisher, recovered more than $400 million worth of treasure.
Shimmering reales, emerald rings, hand-carved coral beads, gold doubloons, a 90-pound bar of silver and other antiquities were discovered in the shipwreck ruins.
Featured in National Geographic magazine and in exhibits across the country, the historic find has been touted as one of the richest - and most thoroughly documented - ever recovered. The recovery expedition was also one of the longest and most dangerous. Fisher lost a son and daughter-in-law to a diving accident during the search.
Although the find was lucrative in booty, the expedition divers who thought they had discovered their fortunes are still trying to cash in. For the last few years, many of them have been trying to turn their pay - made in booty - into hard cash. They've held exhibits and sales at jewelry stores all over the country to raise money and educate the public about the recovered treasures.
``They were taxed on their treasures and in order to pay their bills they need to liquidate these assets,'' LeFevre explained.
The expedition captain, recovery diver, underwater photographer/diver and a journalist who covered the story will accompany the treasures to Norfolk. The four will present free slide shows and talk about the search and recovery efforts at the Nauticus debut and at Facets throughout each day of the exhibit and sale.
``What struck me most about the story of the search for the Atocha was the incredible determination and optimism of the search team,'' LeFevre said.
Included in the Norfolk sale will be silver pieces of eight, bars of gold and silver, emerald jewelry and colonial artifacts. Prices for them range from $45 to $250,000.
It's not the first time Hampton Roads residents have had a peek at the treasure, however. LeFevre brought the exhibit to her Virginia Beach store two years ago. After relocating her Norfolk store from Selden Arcade to Main Street Tower last February, she decided to invite the divers back as part of a grand opening promotion.
``Last time, we had people waiting in line out the door, including busloads of schoolchildren,'' LeFevre recalled. ``Since then, people have continued to inquire about it every few days. It's very exciting to be able to actually hold gold bars in your hands.''
LeFevre will turn over all of her jewelry cases in the store at 300 E. Main St. to the exhibit from Sept. 18 to 21. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
The ``Treasure Our Children'' debut party of the Atocha treasures
will be held Tuesday at Nauticus from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Slide shows
are set for 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Those who want to attend must make
reservations at 428-1117.
The exhibit will move to Facets Jewelers at Main Street Tower
Wednesday and continue through Sept. 21. Hours are from noon to 7
p.m., Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Slide show times are noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. An additional show
at 5:30 p.m. is set for Wednesday and Friday. by CNB