New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-04
WASHINGTON.
SALE OF THE EFFECTS OF CHARLES
SUMNER

eEEklNG MEMENTOFS OF Tux DECEAsED
MANTLE INTERIOR OF HIS RESIDENCE AS 1T
wAS-sPIRITED COMPETITION BETWEEN BIDDERS.
lBY TELEGRAPH THE rRrBuSEl
WASHINGTON. June 3.-The sale by auction Of the
greater portion of the furniture and household eff
fects of the late Charles Sumner 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 articles cata-
logued The interior of the house is dreary enough
IN appearance, and bears little resemblance to the
habitation Of the deceased scholar. The walls
If all of the rooms are begrimed and
broken showing stIeaks and patches of discoloraton
and containing nail-holes and ereases by no means
pleasant to the sight. Those who visited this
famous house during Mr.. Summers life can never
forget the richness of appearance the wealth
Of its art treasures. There was not spot of the
wall big mans hand that was
not covered by q picture bracket, or
shelf From the ceiling to the floor in every
room, parlor, library, study, dining-room, cham
Der hall-everywhere-was a constellation OF
pictures nailed to the wall, TO the doors. on
mautels, in the windows and resting on the floor.
Pictures by Rembrandt, by Murillo, and the most
famous of modern artists. and a collection Of en-
cravings 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 fun of blotches and placements. The absence
oi the glorious collection of books added to
the gloomy appearance 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-tbese too
missed from the familiar rooms. Only the fur
allure 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 righteousness of ornaments and
the great cost of its works Of art and learning. Its
great good taste could not be questioned. for finer,
more harmonious mind rs to articles of beauty and
appropriateness was not to be found than Mr. Sum
uers. He never bought anything unless 1T suited
him. and his idea of harmony prevailed throughout
his house. Therefore it is possible that his house
with all it's art treasures and classical arrangements,
appeared TO be more richly furnished than it
Tire attendance ut the sale very large, filling
the house completely from top to bottom. and rem
derng 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 spectators may be divided into four classes
FIRST the devoted friends of Mr.. Sumner. who were
anxious TO secure some souvenirs of the departed
scholar second, the curious third the SPECTATORS
and fourth the professional auctIong oers. 1t must
be confessed that the auctiOneer dozens OF the
same faces he has for many years at every sale
he has made. and which have the appearance of be-
longing to boarding house keepers. There were |
many prominent gentlemen and ladies present, but
the crowd who went from curiosity great as
to exclude many who were anxious and able to buy
The sale generally was a good one. The furniture
an a whole went at fair price but the small art-
oles OF miscellaneous character brought extrava-
giant and unprecedented sums. The sale was begun |
m the kitchen aud the commonest kind of kitchen |
utensils, which Mr.. Sumner probably never saw |
brought frightful prices. For instance, jelly and
Ice-cream molds worth 30 cents or ST. brought from
g. TO SO The dnng-roOm was next sold out. A
very handsome sideboard was bought by Mr.. Worm !
lev the colored caterer and one of Mr.. Summers
favorite friends for $500 The dining-table, the
seat of as liberal and refined hospitality
as was ever dispensed. brought $l6O
same buyer This table was an especial object of |
attention and remark. Beside being very elegant |
Al finish around it clusters much secret history aud
many memories. Poets, artists, philosophers |
scholars politicians, Presidents and princes. foreign
diplomats, historians, and statesmen. have sat nj
that table. II at this table that Gen. Grant |
MI Fish and Col. FOrney sat when Mr. Sumner was
mportuned to espouse the SantO Domingo annexa- |
ton scheme. Mr. WOrmley purchased most OF the |
furniture in both the dining-room and library The
chairs which probably cost S25 each, sold for So
wOrn-out y-brush brought 81 80.
The hardest contest was over Mr.. Summers arm |
chair IN his study. which is described IN the cata-
logue as a walnut Office revolving chair 1t was
started at a low price but ran TO an alarming
figure The chair is probably not worth more than
Sol But il is the one Mr.. Sumner always used when
in his study. The contest after the few hrst BIDS
was wholly between Mr.. WOrmley and Mr. Howe of
Roston who wanted IL 10 give TO Mr. Pierce, one of
MIR summers executors. 1t up by fives and tens
until SSl5 was reached when Mr.. Howe dropped out.
Mr.. Howe raid $40 for the library writing desk,
and Mr. Beaman. formerly private secretary to
Senator Sumner. bought for $3.50 bookcase, which
cost it is said $500: Miss Boutwell, bought smaller
one for Ss1 Fred Douglass bought lot of shelves
for - each, and an armchair for ST; Freeman
Clarke bought the parlor mirror for S192 The
armoire very handsome one, which probably cost
at least $780, 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 tomorrow.
One Of the bottles is cataogued as follows Johan-
nisterger Cabinet from the cellars of Prince Meter
mich 1862 Very fne.r The most valuable article
in Nj Summers house is not to be sold. 1t is the
old German clock which stands in the hall aus case
is much Ike the old pier or ball clocks that are Oc
rasonay in old families, but it has great value.
Besides marking the seconds minutes, hours, days,
months and years, ii shows the phases of the moon
and indicates other matters of a like nature. IL
contains a chime of bells of sweetness of tone,
marks the hours, the halves, and the quarters
with toe chime and sometimes beating q tune.
Various bids the highest reaching $1,000, have been
offered for this clock but declined. Mrs. Hastings