Read My Pins_ Stories From a Diplomat's Jewel Box - Madeleine Albright [35]
Chapter 4: WRAPPING UP BOW, CIRCA 1990. DESIGNER UNKNOWN, RUSSIA. 14KT YELLOW, PINK, AND WHITE GOLD; CRYSTALS. 2" X 0.7" (5.1CM X 1.7CM).
Chapter 4: BLACK-EYED SUSAN, CIRCA 1960. © SANDOR, USA. ENAMELED GOLD-PLATED BASE METAL. 3.2" X 1.5" (8CM X 3.7CM).
Chapter 4: DANDELION DIAMOND PUFF, 2006. © McTEIGUE & McCLELLAND, USA. 18KT WHITE AND YELLOW GOLD, DIAMONDS, ENAMEL. 4.4" X 1.3" (11.3CM X 3.3CM).
Chapter 4: DANDELION, 2000. © McTEIGUE & McCLELLAND, USA. 18KT YELLOW GOLD, ENAMEL. 4.4" X 1.3" (11.3CM X 3.3CM).
Chapter 4: LILY OF THE VALLEY, CIRCA 2006. DESIGNER UNKNOWN, ACQUIRED IN BELGIUM. YELLOW GOLD–PLATED BASE METAL, GLASS, CRYSTALS, SIMULATED PEARLS. 0.4" X 1.3" (1.1CM X 3.4CM).
Chapter 4: TULIP, CIRCA 2006. DESIGNER UNKNOWN, ACQUIRED IN THE NETHERLANDS. ENAMEL ON COPPER. 4.4" X 1.1" (11.3CM X 2.8CM).
Chapter 4: SEED PEARL FLOWER, CIRCA 1995. DESIGNER UNKNOWN, USA. ANODIZED BASE METAL, FRESHWATER CULTURED PEARLS. 3.2" X 1.5" (8.1CM X 3.9CM).
Chapter 4: SUNFLOWER, 1995. © CAROLEE, USA. YELLOW GOLD–PLATED BASE METAL, RHINESTONES. 3.7" X 1.8" (9.5CM X 4.6CM).
Chapter 4: PEARL FLOWERS, CIRCA 1995. JJ, USA. STERLING SILVER, MARCASITE, SIMULATED PEARLS. 2" X 2" (5.1CM X 5.1CM).
Chapter 4: GOLD AND AQUA FLOWER, CIRCA 1950. DESIGNER UNKNOWN, USA. YELLOW GOLD–PLATED STERLING SILVER, RHINESTONES. 3.9" X 1.8" (10CM X 4.5CM).
Backmatter: ARK WITH DOVES, 2000. LANGANI/KEITH LIPERT GALLERY, GERMANY/USA. GOLD-TONE BASE METAL, MOTHER-OF-PEARL, RESIN. 3.5" X 2.2" (8.8CM X 2.2CM).
Backmatter: ANTS, CIRCA 1997. DESIGNER UNKNOWN, ACQUIRED IN ZIMBABWE. SILVER, CERAMIC. 0.6" X 0.4" (1.6CM X 1CM).
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My world consists primarily of ideas and policies that I convey through speeches and the printed word. This book is a departure. Ideas and words are still present, but the primary means of expression is visual. The pages are graced by works of art, small sculptures in the form of jewelry. I am thankful to the designers, manufacturers, photographers, vendors, and museums who have given me, and all of us, the opportunity to enjoy these treasures.
Books, like diplomacy, require a team. They also depend on financial resources. I have long worn St. John Knits' beautiful clothing around the world, and when that company offered to help with the sponsorship of the book, I knew it was a perfect fit. I am deeply appreciative to everyone at St. John Knits for their generous support.
While some teammates are new, others are familiar. This is my fourth book since the end of my tenure as secretary of state. On each, Elaine Shocas, Bill Woodward, and Richard Cohen have played pivotal roles. Elaine, in particular, was the inspiration and driving force behind this project. Without her, there would be no book or exhibit. I have often said that she has superb judgment and perfect political pitch, now matched by her remarkable creativity. Bill Woodward, a skeptic by nature, agreed to help with the writing, though he is more comfortable with issues of war and peace than jewelry. His work helps the stories on these pages to sparkle. Richard Cohen, my editor, continues to teach me that, in writing, less is often more, while I have almost convinced him that men should wear brooches. An Olympic fencer and author, Richard is writing a book about the Sun, a task worthy of my Atlas pin.
Even a strong team requires expert help. For Read My Pins, I turned to Vivienne Becker, a renowned jewelry historian, author, and journalist who provided a wealth of research, important suggestions, and corrections to the text. She helped place my collection in a broader historical context. John Bigelow Taylor’s photography is artistry at its best, and his images of the pins are spectacular, as are Dianne Dubler’s photo compositions. Together, they gave life to my pins, brilliantly capturing a range of moods, from sorrowful to playful. Credit for the imaginative and elegant book design belongs to Rita Jules and Miko McGinty; I will not forget