Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-07-02

July at loan; ({es}3fiIf.ot
CRosBY's ART UNIoN.-U II. Crosby
opens on Monday his subscription books
for the long expected Art-Union The
plan is plain and simple, straight-for-
ward and honest. f He proposes to sell
two hundred and ten thousand certif-
Gates Of membership. To each subscri-
Der he delivers. an engraving, the selling
price of which is equal to the price of
subscription, five dollars. To those sub
scribers who club and take more than
one certificate, he offers a choice Of en-
Cravings, valued at from ten to fifty dol
lars. On the ed Of September next the
subscription books will close and, in
addition to the engravings, there will be
distributed by lot among the members as
premiums
l., A deed in fee simple Of the Crosby
Opera House building, including the
Opera House, valued at 100000 This
building is situated on Washington
street, fronting 40 feet, with depth of
1870 feet 1t is five stories high, built of
Athens marble, und in all respects one
of the best-constructed buildings in the
United States. The annual rental Of the
building, exclusive of the Opera House,
is $4,000. 1t contains also the Crosby
Art Gallery The Opera House has been
pronounced by competent judges to be
unequaled in every, particular by any
building of the kind in America. if -
2. 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 collec-
ton of Mr.. Crosby. The details of this
branch of the Art Union may be learned
from the advertisements and upon appli-
cation to Mr Crosby.
The people OF, Chicago have a deep in
terest in the Opera House, not alone be-
cause OF the magnitude of the enter
prise itself, but because of its value in
developing cultivated taste in matters
of art The Art Gallery has already be-
come one Of the most attractive exhibit
tions Of the city, and music and art gen
orally have obtained, since this building
was provided, an impetus of the most
gratifying character.
There is also personal interest in Mr..
Crosby, which is universal He built
this public institution, and there is a
general desire that, if it is to pass from
his hands, he at. least shall receive from
il some consideration. The following
letter from ell.known citizens expresses
only the almost unanimous feeling of the
public
CHICAGO. ILL, June !. 1866.
r U. II. CROSBY, Eso.-Dear Sir! We have
been pleased to learn that you have decided to
adopt the art Union principle in the dispo-
sition of your Opera House.
While we should be glad to know of your sue
cess in such an enterprise under any circum-
stances. il would add greatly to our gratihea-
ton to reflect that, in accomplishing your own
wishes, you had given additional impetus TO
the Development OF aesthetic taste amongst US.
That this would be emily the natural result OF
the distribution, as proposed, OF large number
-offirst-class paintings and eugTavings, we have
no doubt and we congratulate the public upon
this fact. as well as upon the no less important
one that they possess IN your own well,
lished integrity satisfactory guarantee that the
enterprise will be fairly and honorably con-
Quoted.
With every wish that you may succeed. we
are dear sir, yours, very truly.
4. y. McGasg. Clinton Briggs,
", I; Ce9lbaush Jas Jas; 4; B9Ee e.