San Francisco History: The Great Diamond Hoax of 1872
To read more, please click here and here
Asbury Harpending wrote “The Great Diamond Hoax.”
I wonder why Hollywood hasn’t done something with The Great Diamond Hoax, a true story of post-Gold Rush California.. I can see a documentary but wouldn’t a movie be better? One of the chief characters in The Great Diamond Hoax was USGS legend Clarence King, who had earned the description: “man of mystery.” Unfortunately mysterious people don’t tell other people waht they are up to. Clarence King was one of the “good guys,” and although he had a home back East where his fascinating circle of friends included the historian Henry Adams and his artist wife Clover. Some years ago I read Patricia O’Toole’s The Five of Hearts.
I loved reading about the special relationship between pioneer geologist Clarence King, Henry Adams, great grandson of President John Adams; artist/photographer Clover Adams; Ambassador John Hay and his wife Clara. The author calls them “The Five of Hearts.”
Back to who would Hollywood cast in the role of Clarence King in a movie based on the Great Diamond Hoax? Immediately Brad Pitt came to mind. I know, that’s not an original thought, is it?