Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-07-02
Crnshr,s Arf.Tnion.

Mr.. I. Il. Crosby opens on Monday
his subscription books for the long ex-
pected Art-Union. The plan is plain
| and simple, straightforward and honest.
| lie ropOses to sell 2lO, 900 certificates OF
membership. To each subscriber he de-
Ivers an engraving, the selling price Of
which Is equal 10 the price Of subscription,
five dollars. To those subscribers who
| club and take more than one certificate,
he oilers a choice Of engravings valued at
from ten to fifty dollars. On the 22i
of September next the SUBSCRIPTION books
Will close; and in addition to the en-
cravings, there will be distributed By lot
among the members as premiums:
l.. A decd in the fee simple of the
Crosby OpcIa-House building including
the Opera-H House, valued 100000 This
building is situated on Washington street,
fronting no feet with a depth of $50
feet. II Is five stories high, built Of Ath-
ems marble, and Is in all respects 0nc Of the
best constructed buildings in the United
States. The animal rental of the build
600, 1t contains also the Crosby Art
Gallery. The Opera-lIouse has been
pronounced by competent judges to be
unequalled in every particular by any
building Of the kind in America.
,. Three hundred choice and valuable
oil paintings will be distributed in as
many premiums. These paintings have
been selected with great care from the
works of the most celebrated American
painters, and include the private ccllec-
/ ton Of Mr.. Crosby. The details Of this
branch of the Art-U Mon may be learned
| from the advertisements and upon apPli-
cation 10 Mr.. Crosby.
The people Of Chicago have a deep in
terest in the Opera House, not alone be-
cause OF the magnitude Of the enterprise
itself, but because Of its value in develop
ing a cultiv~ted taste in matters of art.
The Art Gallery has already become one
of the most attractive exhibitions Of the
city, and music and art generally have
obtained, since this building was prOyi-
ded, an impetus of the most CRAFTY ing
character.
@There is also a personal interest in Mr..
Crosby, which Is universal. He built this
public institution, and there IS 3 general
desire that, if it is to pass from his hands,
he at least shall receive from it some con
sideratioE. The following letter from
well known citizens expresses only the al
most unanimous feeling Of the public:
CHICAGO, ILL, June l., 1866.
L. II. CROSBY, EsQ.-Degr Sir: We
are pleased TO learn that you have de
cided 10 adopt the "Art-Union principle
in the disposition of your Opera House.
While We should be glad TO know Of
your success in such an enterprise under
| any circumstances, it would add greatly
to our qualification TO reflect that, in aC-
completing your own wishes, You had
given additional impetus to the develop
ment Of aesthetic taste amongst US. That
this would be only the natural result of
the distribution, as proposed, of a large
number Of first class-paintings and en-
cravings, we have no doubt; and we con-
gratulats the public upon this fact, as we'll
as upon the no less important one that
they possess in your own well-estsblished
integrity satisfactory guarantee that the
enterprise will be fairly and honorably
conducted.
With every wish that Won may sucaea1