Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-06-06
SALE or MR.. SUMMERS EFFECTS


SALE or MR.. SUMNERS EFFECTS.
The sale by auction of the greater portion
of the furniture and household effects of the
late Charles Sumner was made to-day, at his
late residence. The sale had been advertised
for several days, and since Monday the house
has been open for the inspection OF the ar
ticles catalogued. The interior of the house
is dreary enough in appearance. and bears
little resemblance to the habita ton of the de-
ceased scholar. The walls of all of the rooms
are begrimed and broken, showing streaks
and patches of dscoloration and containing
nail holes and creases by no means pleasant
to the sight. Those who visited this famous
house during Mr.. Summers life can never
forget the richness of its appearance
nor the wealth of its art treasures. There
was not spot of the wall as big as a mans
hand that was not covered by picture.
bracket, or a shelf. From the ceiling to the
floor in every room. parlor, library, study,
dining room, chamber, hall-everywhere-
was constellation of pictures nailed to the
wall, to the doors, on mantels, in the win
dows, and resting on the floor. Pictures by
Rembrandt, by Murllo, and the most famous
of modern artists, and a collection of engrav-
ings unequaled in America, have had their
place upon these walls for years, and when
few days ago they were removed to Boston,
they left only dirty walls full of blotches and
placements. The absence of the glorious col
lection of books added to the gloomy appear
ance of the historic rooms. The rare bronzes,
rich with age, the quaint ornaments older than
the Christian era, the works of marble and
alabaster, the bric-a-brac collected during
years of labor and at great cost-these too
were missed from the familiar rooms. Only
the furniture remained, and this seemed poor
indeed to those familiar with the house in
other days. The furniture of Mr.. Summers
house was rather modest, considering the lux
uriousness of its ornaments and the great
cost of its works of art and learning. Its
great good taste could not be questioned, for
a finer, more harmonious mind as to articles
of beatty and appropriateness was not to be
found than Mr.. Summers. He never bought
anything unless it suited him, and his idea of
harmony prevailed throughout his house.
Therefore it is possible that his house, with
all its art treasures and classical arrangements,
appeared to be more richly furnished than it
was.
The attendance at the sale was very large,
filling the house completely from top to bot
tom, and rendering it very difficult to move
from one room to another. The persons
present were from various places some coming
from Boston to attend the sale. The specta-
tors may be divided into four classes First
the devoted friends of Mr. Sumner, who were
anxious to souvenirs of the departed scholar;
second, the curious; third, the spectators
and fourth, the professional auction-goers. 1t
must be confessed that the auctoneer saw
dozens of the same faces he has seen for many
years at every sale he has made, and which
have the appearance of belonging to boarding
h,Nn
nent gentleme and ladies present, but the
crowd who went from curiosity was so great as
to exclude many who were anxious and able
to buy.
The sale generally was good one. The
furniture as whole went at a fair price, but
the small articles of a miscellaneous charac-
ter brought extravagant and Unprecedented
sums. The sale was begun in the kitchen, and
the commOnest kind of kitchen utensils, which
Mr.. Sumner probably never saw, brought
frightful prices. For instance, Jelly and ice
cream molds, worth 80 cents or 81, brought
from s. to 10. The dning-room was next
sold out. very handsome sideboard was
bought by Mr.. Wormley, the colored caterer,
and one of Mr.. Summers favorite friends, for
$500. The diRing-table, the seat of as liberal
and refined hospitality as was ever dispensed,
brought Sl60; same buyer. This table was
Beside being very elegant in finish, around it
clusters much secret history and many mem
cries. Poets, artists, philosophers, scholars,
politicians, presidents and princes, foreign
diplomats, historians, and statesmen, have sat
at that table. 1t was at this table that Gen.
Grant, Mr.. Fish, and Col. Forney sat when
Mr. Sumner was importuned to espouse the
Santo Domingo annexation scheme Mr..
Wo'mley purchased most of the furniture in
both the dining room and library. The chairs,
which probably cost $25 each sold for IS;
worn-out brush brought $3.50.
The hardest contest was over Mr.. Summers
armchair in his study, which is described in
the catalogue as walnut office revolving
chair. 1t was started at low PAIGE, but soon
ran to an alarming figure. The chair is prob
ably not worth more than $25. But it is the
one Mr.. Sumner always used when in his
study. The contest, after the few first bids,
was wholly between Mr.. Worm,ey and a
Mr.. Howe OF Boston, who wanted it to give
to Mr.. Pierce, one of Mr.. Summers eXecut-
ors. 1t ran up by fives and tens until 1915
was reached, when Mr.. Howe. dropped out.
Mr.. Howe paid Sl70 for the library writing
desk, and Mr.. Beaman, formerly private sec
rotary to Senator Sumner, bought for $50
bookcase, which cost it is said, $i00; Miss
Boutwell, bought lot of shelves for 81 each,
anu an aihh-chalf lor SzO; freeman clarke
bought the parlor mirror for 1892. The
armoire, very handsome one, which prob
ably cost at least $500, was sold to Boston
lady for Sl45. This lady bought many of the
articles, including several handsome Turkish
and Persian rugs. The parlor furniture was
nearly all bought by Mr.. Wormley.
The wines and liquors, which are very rare,
though in small quantities, will be sold to.
morrow. One of the bottles is catalogued as
follows: "Johannisberger Cabinet, from the
cellars of Prince Metternich, 1862. Very
line" The Dlost valuable article in Mr..
Summers house is not to be sold. 1t is the
old German clock which stands in the hall.