Jewellery & Watch News
A historic character which casts a shadow larger than any other over our hometown of Whitby is Dracula, and today we celebrate 125 years since the novel was first published. In commemoration of the event, we are also excited to reveal our own homage to the gothic figure with the W Hamond Dracula 125th Anniversary jewellery collection.
A novel so popular it has never been out of print, Dracula is arguably one of the most famous works of literature in the world. The story, written by Bram Stoker, was inspired by the author’s visit to the town of Whitby at the end of July 1960. At the time, he was the business manager of actor Henry Irving and has just completed an arduous theatrical tour of Scotland. Irving recommended Whitby as a place to stay and relax, and so he did, staying in Mrs Veazey’s guesthouse at 6 Royal Crescent, Whitby. An author of two previous works already, Stoker searched for inspiration for his latest Gothic novel, and as he strolled the heights of Royal Crescent down into the town, he found all he needed. The windswept headland, dramatic Whitby Abbey ruin, tales of shipwrecks, and jet-black gemstone of Whitby Jet sparked the birth of Dracula.
“Right over the town is the ruin of Whitby Abbey, which was sacked by the Danes … It is a most noble ruin, of immense size, and full of beautiful and romantic bits; there is a legend that a white lady is seen in one of the windows.” – Excerpt from Bram Stoker’s Dracula
This month, we celebrate 125 years since the novel was first published and alongside several additional festivities happening in Whitby this month, we at W Hamond have created our own Dracula 125th Anniversary jewellery collection. Since our founding in 1860, we have taken much of our inspiration from our surroundings in Whitby to create our collections of Whitby Jet jewellery. Alongside pendants evoking the window of the Abbey and earrings handcrafted into gothic creatures like spiders and bats, we recently launched a range of rings detailed with the famous Dracula crest. Now for the first time we take inspiration from a first edition Dracula novel, drawing from the image of Dracula’s castle found on the front cover.
Just like how the Whitby Abbey sits tall on the cliffs of the North Yorkshire coastline, the image of Dracula’s castle rises above its rural setting in Transylvania. As part of our W Hamond Dracula 125 Years jewellery collection, we have reinterpreted this image into three stunning pendants handcrafted from sterling silver. At the centre, the backdrop to the castle is set with our finest Whitby Jet gemstone while the setting sun is finished in yellow gold plating for a beautiful contrast. The design is available in two oval pendants, one in 35mm and the other in 50mm, as well as a more contemporary rectangle pendant.
Alongside the release of our three W Hamond Dracula 125th Anniversary pendants, we have also launched a series of additional gothic pieces inspired by the story of Dracula. There are Whitby Jet rings decorated with the architecture of the Abbey window at the centre, charms and necklaces of the Abbey itself and designs featuring motifs like vampire fangs, Christian crosses, skulls, hanging bats and Dracula’s crest.
If you’d like to learn more and shop the W Hamond Dracula 125th Anniversary jewellery collection for yourself, head over to the W Hamond website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team on 01947 603330 or send us a message at info@whamond.com.
