Liberator II Diamond Ring, Harry Winston

The emerald-cut diamond weighing 18.13 carats, flanked by 2 tapered baguette diamonds, mounted in platinum, size 5¾. 

Laurence S. Krashes, Harry Winston: The Ultimate Jeweler, p. 97

Ian Balfour, Famous Diamonds, pp. 190-191

Diamond Promotion Service, Notable Diamonds of the World, edited by Barbara Gleason, p. 26

See GIA report stating the diamond is H color and VS2 clarity. The flanking baguette-cut diamonds are approximately F-G color and VVS-VS clarity. In good condition.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Illustrations in the catalogue may not be actual size. Prospective purchasers are reminded that, unless the catalogue description specifically states that a stone is natural, we have assumed that some form of treatment may have been used and that such treatment may not be permanent. Our presale estimates reflect this assumption.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Accompanied by GIA report no. 15860748 stating that the diamond is H color, VS2 clarity. 

Diamonds were first discovered in Venezuela in 1887 and to this day the most famous was the 155 carat rough diamond discovered in the Gran Sabana region by three miners in 1942.  It was named the "Liberator" in honor of Simon Bolivar (1783-1830), the leader of the liberation of northern South America from Spanish Imperial rule.

It cost 40 cents in 1943 to air mail the "Liberator" from Caracas to New York where it was held on deposit by Chase Manhattan Bank for viewing by prospective buyers from the diamond trade.  Harry Winston successfully purchased the rough for a reputed $200,000 and had it cut into four stones, three emerald-cuts weighing 39.80, 18.13 and 8.93 carats, and a marquise weighing 1.44 carats.   He sold the largest, the Liberator I, to May Bonfils Stanton, daughter of the publisher and co-founder of the Denver Post.  The Liberators II, III and IV, were combined in a brooch and later sold separately to private collectors.

The Liberator I was sold again, this time at Park-Bernet Galleries, in the estate sale of May Bonfils Stanton's fabulous jewelry collection in November, 1962. It was repurchased by Winston, recut to 38.88 carats and resold by him.  It made another appearance at auction at Parke-Bernet in December of 1972.

In the last 50 years, Sotheby's has sold numerous named Winston diamonds, several more than once.  Besides the Liberator I, Sotheby's sales internationally have included such famous stones as the Rovensky, the Arcots, the Idol's Eye, the Krupp, the  Jonker #2 and #4, the Star of Sierra Leone #2 and #3, the Cartier/Taylor-Burton, and the McLean/Windsor, the Ashoka, the Porter-Rhodes, the Nassak, the Pohl, the Vargas #4 and the Lesotho #3.

We are pleased to offer at auction yet another named Winston diamond, the Liberator II.