E Gregory Sherman

the life of EG (Greg) sherman

First "serious" contact with the opal business was when Dad (Ernie Sherman) took me to Lightning Ridge on a buying trip when I was 12 years old. Camped in the old “Brady” house (Brady was an early rival buyer of Dad's vintage), The house is still there on Opal Street. During subsequent school holidays, I periodically helped Dad snip, grade and package rough light opal for export - 140 ounce boxes, insured sea mail, to Ceylon and India at seven pence an ounce - sometimes ten to twenty boxes a time.

Dad began shipping rough opal to Japan in 1928 - that same Company buys black and boulder opals from us today - a long continuous association (ex War years). Dad's "office" was at home - excavated from under the front verandah at Bellevue Hill. Moved to Pymble 1939. Left Knox Grammar School end 1940. Dad opened office in CML Building, Martin Place, early 1941, where I joined him. Served four years as a pilot in the RAAF - two operational tours in New Guinea and Borneo. Still managed to rustle up some business for Dad (Ernie) in those days when passing through Townsville and Cairns (thousands of Yanks itching to spend their money on opals in local shops) - Dad (Ernie) paid me a commission!! Discharged from the RAAF late January 1946. Dad took me to Coober Pedy (on receipt of a telegram) first week in February 1946, where we purchased the first parcel of opal mined at the 8 Mile by "Toddy" and Charlie Bryant.

Probably due to the horrendous trip (thereby hangs a tale!!) shortly after our purchase (before breakfast!!) I suffered a severe malaria attack - 106.4 (F) degree temperature; and four subsequent attacks in 8 days. Due to heavy rain ( 4 and a half inches in two days) the Bush Church Aid Society plane was unable to land, and, with no suitable medication, the Flying Doctor, through the pedal radio, advised sponging me down with ice water to break the fever. Eventually flown to Repat. Hospital, Adelaide - weak as a chicken - thus began my balding within weeks.

A photo of the Brady House mentioned in the text, the house is still in Lightning Ridge, sometimes also known as the Walford’s House.

From the Sherman archives, Ernie Sherman and a young Greg Sherman with boxes of opal to post!

Greg Sherman in the office in CML building Martin Place, Sydney.

Dad sent me to America in September of 1946 ( on a war bride ship - 400 odd young women and 22 men!!) with a stock of rough and cut opal. Eventually based in New York, I travelled coast to coast four times and the Canadian West and East. Organised four opal promotion exhibits in USA, one in Canada and later one in London through the Australian Trade Commission. Naively upset by the hard bargaining of the US cutters in New York ( I was virtually a "Greenhorn" after four years in the RAAF), on receipt of further rough opal shipments from Dad, I reticketed each bag at double Dad's asking prices and let them argue - many times I went away smiling with a cheque in excess of Dad's top asking price!! Needless to say I prefer to deal with Japanese.

I Spent twelve months in America, six months in UK and Europe and finally six months in the USA - away two years. From my return October 1948 to April 1953 managed the Sydney office and cutting factory. Married 10 March 1951 to local girl ( Pymble) and subsequently had four children - Peter, Warwick, Sally and Wendy. My first opal purchase ( cut black opals in CML office from miner), at Dad's insistence and without assistance, was a disaster. But what an education! While Dad and the miner laughed and chatted about old times, I made my assessment of many stones and asked Dad's advice on one gem. Dad’s only comment was' "Nice stone son". I purchased the parcel (after haggling) for some 2,435 pounds ($4,870). No sooner had the miner left, Dad ranted and raved for half an hour - it took me four years to sell all those stones without making a profit! Hell, I learnt fast.

The Sherman opal cutting rooms in the Office in Martin place, Sydney.

I first visited Andamooka with Dad early 1953 before Mum and Dad sailed for a visit to England ( their country of birth), and tried my hand at opal mining - with no success except for one wheat size piece of rough, gem quality from Lunatic Hill. Later visits produced 65 pounds from a claim at Gunn's Gully. From that time on I took over the SA buying- Andamooka and Coober Pedy (Dad was hit by a car in London September 1953 and died there Christmas Eve 1953).

Originally took the mail coach to Coober Pedy (first trip returned to Sydney by train with a Ceylon tea crate full of rough). This trip was followed by one visit in my first car a Mini Minor, (closed Sydney office and took my cutter as relief driver, after receiving telegram) to buy first parcel from the new 8 Mile. Spent 34,000 pounds in two days - three parcels tops at 80 pounds an ounce. Later drove Holdens and finally purchased a Cessna 210. Being costly to run, eventually sold same and joined Warwick Goldsworthy to form OpalAir P/L. From that day on it was a pleasure to visit the SA mines.

Purchased (at Andamooka) and named the "Olympic Australis" in1956:miners drove to Adelaide flew to Sydney (I was at Andamooka) borrowed money from Sydney office for air fares back to Adelaide and drove to Andamooka - to wake me up at 3am in the morning. Also purchased the largest piece of solid Andamooka opal ( from the mud below the level) mid 1950s weighing 32oz.

Though not for sale, subsequently sold it to Japanese client at "crazy" price. The new owner had my cutter slice it into 3 pieces - inside the 1/10 inch scummy skin was top gem crystal. To this day my Japanese friend says of that purchase, "ls it possible to make too much profit from a piece of rough opal!!!".

Greg Sherman outside the Sherman dugout in Andamooka.

Sold the rough Andamooka parcel (17oz for 1,000 pounds- embarrassed to ask the 1,105 pounds at 65 pounds an ounce from Dad's "private" stock - purchased in 1946) from which the Queen's opal was cut and presented by the SA Government in 1954.

Paid the highest price (at that time) of 123 pounds an ounce for a handful of top red crystal 8 Mile opal from the Christianos family in 1956. "You're crazy Greg" was the comment from friends.

One evening, late 1950s, my Andamooka dugout was broken into while I was playing cards (500) at another camp. All opal and wallet were stolen (cash bag with me). After four days police investigation - Andamooka, Port Wakefield, Adelaide to and fro twice - all was recovered and culprits apprehended.

Black opal purchases were made in Sydney until the Chinese began to take over SA. Last visited SA mines in 1970. From 1953 to 1970 averaged 4-6 trips a year to the SA mines.

Purchased fine black opal for 100 pounds the trade for 120 pounds, was subsequently resold in the trade twice again. I eventually bought it back from the last purchaser some years later for 2,000 dollars and gave to my wife. "Ribbons", now set is featured on the cover of the AGIAs "Nature's Own Fireworks".

Greg Sherman with two pieces of the Olympic Australis.

A photo of Greg Sherman and Helen George. Editor, you can read the article from Australasian Post below.

A transparency photograph of the Olympic Australis from the Sherman Archives .

First visited Japan April 1961 and averaged three trips a year over the intervening years. Organised three promotional opal displays in Japan through the Australian Trade Commission and was invited to exhibit a comprehensive opal display in the Australian pavilion Expo 170 Osaka.

Visited Idar Oberstein (via Tokyo) in 1967, where old customers showed me rough opal and black opals purchased from my Dad many moons ago. "Herr Sherman, I can sell your father's opal back to you for less than you want for yours. My offer to purchase was not accepted.

I have been blessed with a very understanding and loving wife, who, virtually alone, brought up our four fabulous, intelligent children, who are well capable of making their own way through life.