Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-07-28
ROyaI Art Association Scheme.

In our advertising columns will be found the
| details of scheme which is probably the
| most princely of the kind ever projected. 1t
| is one which involves the distribution of prOp-
| erty worth nearly million of dollsrs. Ii IS.
in short, one which includes the disposal Of
CrOsby's Opera House, in Chicago, together
| with the rich contents of its superb art gall
| lery, and also other works of art, to an extent
limited only by the membership.
AS will be seen by reference to the adver-
tsement, it is proposed to form an art associ-
alton, the price of membership of which will be
five dollars. On the first day of next October
the Opera House and its three hundred psint-
ingswill be distributed among the me.nbers
of the association. The first prize will be the
palatial Opera House, worth over half mil
lion dollars. The second. Bierstadt's unrival-
led painting, THE 70 Semitic Valley, !" valued
at $50, 900. Next to this is a Sc, 600 painting,
and so on III a constantly decreasing progress
sion.
Nothing so grand as this project was ever
before conceived. There never Was one which
involved so much property; and again, there
never was another one IN which the pub lie
could invest their money with the same GER
tsinty that the transaction would be conducted
by honorable men. As viii be seen, MIR. CrOs-
by has submitted his plan to the best men in
Chicago, and they give it a cordial and unhes-
itating endorsement. There can be nothing
| surer than the fact that the operation is in
honeTa bic hands, and that every dollar will be
bank. -.
This plan does not propose that a few men,
bers OF the association shall receive few
gifts, and the great majority none. On the
contrary, every member gets a gift which is
very near the equivalent OF the money which
he invests. Thus man taking two member
| ships, costing $40, gets an engraving of Wash
| ingtOn Irving and his friends, which is pre-
cisely What one would have to pay for the
same picture provided he bought it at print
! store. The enormous quantities OF engravings
which will be purchased by the managers of
the association enables them to purchase
| them at price on whose margin they viii OBJ
tain the value of the other articles to be dis
| tributed.
Ofthe magnifcence of the leading gifts in
| the distribution, scarcely enough can be said.
The Opera House is, without exception, the
| finest building of the kind on the continent.
It's cost was over 5000 goo, and its returns, to-
day, in the shape of rents, are priDcely in
come for any man.. The second gift, The No
Semitic Valley" is now on exhibition at the ART
gallery, y, the opera building. 1t IS an eight
| by eleven landscape, and is one of the most
| thoroughly superb works of art IN the world
Its grandeur as "A whole is only equaled BY
the astonishing perfection OF It's details. One
| loses himself IN contemplating its intending
| distances, its mellow colOrings. the depth, eX-
tent and magic warmth of its skies. Tt alone
is fortune; and the chances of obtaining il
are worth ten times what it will cost to pos.
SeSs tIem. rE..
We take pleasure in assuring the public thai
the most thorough integrity pervades every
portion Of the management of this art dis
tribution scheme. Ifroyal in its dimensions
it Is no less yOluminous in the possession o.
probity- 1t Is an opportunity OF which no one
who can afford it should hesitate to avail them;
selves.
The following letter from well-known citi.
Gems expresses only the almost unanimous
| feeling Of the public:
| CHICAGO, Ill :, June 1866.
iU. II. CROSBY. Esq Dear Sir: We have beer
pleased to lea that you have decided to ADOPT TIT
cart Union principle in the disposition OF YOU
| Opera House.
While we should be glad to know of your success
/ in such enterprise, under any circumstances, I
would add greatly TO qualification to reflect that
| in accomplishing your own WISHES, you had giveI
| additional impetus TO the development of esthet
/ taste amongst us. That this would be only tn
natural result of the distribution. proposed of
large numb,r of first class paintings and engrav
ings. we have no doubt; and we congratulate tn
public upon this fact well as upon the no less i'm
pOrtaDt one that they possess iii your own we'll
established integrity satisfactory guarantee that tn
enterprise will be fairly and honorably conducted.
With every wish that you may succeed, we are
| d ar sir, yours, very truly,