The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-09-24 00:00:00

THE FINE ARTS DISTRIBUTIONS.

The near approach of the period (the 30th of Septem-
ber) allowed by Parliament for the closing of these dis-
tributions, has caused an unusual activity amongst their
various promoters; and as no new undertakings of the
kind will be permitted after that date, we propose to lay
before those of our readers who may wish to avail them-
selves of the last opportunity afforded them, of becoming
possessed of valuable works of art at a moderate expense,
as accurate a list and description as we can procure of the
different schemes at present within ths reach of the inha-
bitants of this locality.
We commence with, as one of the most extensive and
important, as regards the number and value of the prizes
to be distributed—
MRS. PARKE'S HEPTAPILCIIION.—The public, and
especially that portion interested in the fine art of engra-
ving, is deeply indebted to Mrs. Parkes. Her admirable
attack upon the principle of the electrotype being applied
to engraving plates, for the purpose of multiplying im-
pressions ad infinitum, struck dismay in the hearts of the
introducers of the process, and compelled them to aban-
don their attempt of perfecting an invention which could
not fail to be mischievous in its results, and tend to weaken
all confidence in the minds of collectors. Mrs. Parkes
may exclaim with the Roman, "Alone I did it!" Under
the management of this spirited and talented lady, the
superb " Bowyer Bible" was made an object of general
interest and competition, and passed into the hands, we
believe, of a highly respectable London merchant, who
became the fortunate possessor of the invaluable prize.
Mrs. Parkes has now determined upon distributing the
celebrated Bowyer Gallery, by means of an art-union,
which she terms an Ileplapra,mion. It thus derives its
name:—
" The value of the property is six times seven thousand guineas.
" The required number of subscribers, at one guinea each, is
twice seven thousand.
" The prizes are. three times seven hundred in number.
" The first prize is of nine times seven engravings, and of seven
times fifty guineas in value.
" Every seventh ticket is a prize.
" Thus the principle of the seventh runs throughout; and hence
the name of HEPTAPRX NI lON , or every seventh a prize."
Those who have ally belief in the magic numeral seven
can now put their faith to the test by taking a chance in
this scheme, which is as remarkable for the large amount of
prizes, their number and variety, as much as that it owes
its origin to one person, and that pers,m of the gentler
sex. Amongst the prizes there is one of seven hundred
guineas, being four original paintings in water colours,
by Pugin, Stephanoff, and others;—another of 51)0 gui-
neas, being the original picture, by Charles Landseer, of
the " Battle of Langside." This capital work has been
already favourably noticed at length in the STANDARD.
An engraving from it has just been published by Mrs.
Parkes, and which is given to subscribers to the Hepta-
prtemion. Another prize is valued at 350 guineas, con-
sisting of 63 engravings, framed and glazed in gold ;—one
at 350 guineas, being a cabinet of illustrated volumes ;
two at 150 guineas, one at 140 guineas, with a multitude
of smaller prizes. Every shareholder may select an en-
graving or engravings to the amount of subscription.
A number of the engravings may be seen at the agents,
Mr. Linnecar, Ranelagh-street, and Mr. Lacey, 100,
Bold-street, who have already disposed of nearly the
whole of the tickets allotted to Liverpool. Subscribers,
however, are recommended not to make their selection
until after the drawing, when the whole of Mrs. Bowyer's
publications will be offered them to select from.

GRUNDY'S DISTRIBUTION OF WATERCOLOURDRAW-
INGS.—One of the most interesting of the distributions
in progress is this, which is got up by the enterprise and
liberal spirit of the Messrs. Grundy, of Church-street
and of Manchester. The Scheme consists of 2,000
shares, of which a hundred end twenty are prizes. The
first prize is upon a principle which we have not seen in
the other distributions. The winner is to receive £l5O,
the value of which is to be selected by himself in works
of art. The second is " The Picture Gallery, Hard-
wicke Hall, Derbyshire," a beautiful painting by David
Cox, valued at 100 guineas. The third consists of two
large drawings by Cox, valued at 60 guinea:.: The fourth
large drawing by Nash, value 35 guineas. The next
six prizes are valued at 35 guineas. And the remaining
110 range downwards from 30 guineas to 3 guineas.
Amongst the various artists we recognise some of the
first eminence, viz., David- Cox, Cattermole, Creswick,
Frankstone, Corbould, Oakley, J. B. Pyne, F. P.
Stephenoff, J. M. Wright, S. A. Hart, Parris, Herbert,
Liversege, D. Roberts, P. Dewint, C. Stanfield, John
Marten, D. Wilkie, Hayter. Nash, Bostock, and others.
The Engravings to be given to each subscriber of a gui-
nea each are of a very first rate character, comprising
Copies from Martin, Landseer, Wilkie, Stephanoff (the
large engraving of Cranmer's recantation, worth double
the subscription) 13. Richter, Turner, (ancient and mo-
dern Italy, a fine pair) a fine sketch from Sir Thomas
Lawrence, Wilkie's cut finger, &c., &c. The drawing is
to take place in Manchester, on the 30th, where the bulk
of the shares have been subscribed for. A few, how-
ever, remain to be disposed of by Mr. Grundy, in Church-
street, to whom we would recommend an immediate
application, as there is little time now on hand. Speci-
mens of the paintings and the engravings may be also
seen at Mr. Grundy's.
THOMAS BOYS' FINE ART DISTRIBUTION.—This
scheme, originally consisting of 12,000 shares, a portion
of which were drawn for last year, consists now of 5729
tickets, the holder of each to receive a print value one
guinea, or more in proportion to the number taken. The
value of the prizes amounts to upwards of £4200, the
number being 338 (about one prize to every sixteen
tickets), ranging from 500 guineas to 3 guineas each. The
whole of these are of a very high class of art, comprising
original pictures, drawings and engravings by the most
celebrated artists. The advantages to the public offered
by this second drawing are even greater than that offered
by the original scheme, a greater than the original pro-
portion of prizes having been left at the first drawing, and
a number having been added by the spirited proprietor,
Mr. Boys. The list of engravings and works for selection
is very extensive, being no less than 203 in number, and
comprises subjects in every style of art. Tickets may be
had, and specimens seen, at Mr. Lacey's Repository of
Arts, 100, Bold-street, 11.. Linnecar's, Ranelagh-street,
and Mr. Isaac's, Castle-street.

MADONNA BY Guino.—This beautiful painting, con-
sidered by many conoisseurs to be an original of this
celebrated master, and acknowledged by all to be a gem
of painting, is to be disposed of in 10,000 shares of one
shilling each, or twenty-one shares for one pound. The
drawing will take place in Leeds, superintended by a com-
mittee of share-holders ; and may be seen and tickets
taken at Mr. H. Lacey's, 100 Bold-street. Such a pic-
ture u* the small venture of a shilling, or even a sove-
reign, would be a lucky windfall for the holder of the
winning number, who might with truth style himself " a
man in ten thousand."
DANBY'S PAINTING OF "THE OPENING OF THE
SIXTH SEAL."—This magnificent work, of an artist so
capable, if any is really capable, of treating a subject so
sublime, is to be disposed of in 2200 shares, nearly two
thousand of which are already taken, each holder of a
guinea ticket receiving one of the splendid mezzotinto en-
gravings by G. H. Philips, which are, of themselves, far
more than the worth of the subscription. In addition,
the valuable steel plate, which has been re-engraved by
the same artist, with improvements suggested by Mr.
Denby, and is producing impressions in every respect
superior to those first published, will become the pro-
perty of the fortunate winner. Of the value of such a
painting as this we shall not trust ourselves to express an
opinion. It is put down at 1000 guineas ; and when we
remember that a voluntary premium of 300 guineas was
awarded to the artist by the British Institution, with a
similar sum paid for the privilege of the engraving copy-
right. and that its possession was eagerly sought by his
late Majesty George IV., who was, however, forestalled
by that eminent connoisseur in art, and liberal patron,
the late Mr. Beckford, of Fonthill Abbey, even a thousand
guineas will not be thought too high a price. The shares
and engravings may be had at Mr. Lacey's, 100, Bold-
street.

ROYAL BIRMINGHAM AND MIDLAND COUNTIES'
ART-UNION.—We include this scheme in our list
although it scarcely comes within the scope of our
article, being upon the principle of an art-union
and not a distribution. It is, however, well worthy
of notice. Two fine engravings are given to each sub-
scriber of one guinea, the proceeds to be laid out under a
committee of management in British paintings, manu-
factures, and works of art, and tg, be distributed in the
order of drawing, which like the others takes place on the
30th instant. Tickets and specimens of the engravings
may be had at Mr. Grundy's repository of arts, Church-
street.