New-York tribune., 1878-07-05
THE SALE or DAUBS.
HOW PICTURE BUYERS ARE DEFRAUDED-A WEST
ERR CLERGYMAN AMONG THE VICTIMS.
A NEW METHOD OF swINDLING.

NEW METHOD OF SWINDLING.
HOW PICTURE BUYERS ARE DEFRAUDED-A WEST
ERS CLERGYMAN AMONG TIE VICTIMS.
The description, recently given in The IRIB-
UNE of the extensive manufacture OF cheap paintings In
this city, and Of tie sale Of daubs works Of or
has caused much comment among picture buyers and
dealers in oil paintings. Patrons Of art have expressed
their satisfaction with the exposure of the Buckeye
manufactures in which paintings made by tie thou
sand with the aid of stcEel-plaes and houscplnters
brushes member Of the Advisory Committee OH Art
Exposition said recently that he was made
aware, some months ago, Of the existence OF these
manufactures and OF the OF stencilplates In
producing daubs. While it not a surprise TO
him that these pictures should obtain ready
sale among country people, who were ignorant
in art matters. he said that the ant education OF the
American people time prevent the success OF such
swudles and that the exposure made by TIE TRIBUNE
would go far in the education OF picture buyers Re
puable dealers in oil paintings say that many pot
boilers and buckeyes" have been brought to their
stores TO be got rid of any price, the owners having
been convinced that the pictures were worthless. Inc
auction stores for the sale OF cheap pictures in this city
now have poor business Only two OF the stores men
toned in THE TRIBUNEs former article now remain aud
these have changed their quarters.
method Of selling daubs is brought to lght
through some readers OF this paper to whom the article
on cheap paintings startling disclosure. These
persons induced TO purchase cheap paintings from
the National ArC Company, of Cincinnati Ohio"
through representations that the pictures were genu-
inc and original oil paintings distributed by the com
pany among its patrons testimonial gifts" The
company out thousands OF circulars 10 residents
of small country towns situated III all parts OF the
United states the addresses being selected in groups Of
$50 each. The circular states that the National Art
Company has accumulated large number OF oil paint
ings In the art publishing business and that the
company is obliged, each year, 10 purchase new ana
time Il In nf
stock in order TO make for the purchases The
usua method is said to be to sell them at auction in large
cities but the company has determined, this year. to
distribute the choicest specimens among its patrons
The fun extent of the companys magnanmity Is thus
expressed:
ave have selected $50 Of these oil paintings, and
placed them at the disposal OF selected committee
he distributed among our patrons IN & Eelrs G Oh 90
ings are all OF high average merit none 3I lht lss
than lSX24 inches size while many OF them are very
much larger They are all really superior specimens o.
the best artistic talent, and would be priced to you IN
any store art sale at not less thhu 80 hud NJ
they purchased to supply the wants OF our
business the question OF price was never nan 80 ln
beauty
The members Of the committee mentioned elsewherei9 ~
the circular the Awarding Committee" are named
as H. \. Love,a wholesale grOceT'O OF Marion OniP a.
81. John, newspaper correspondents OF Cincinnati ~
Webber manager of the Marion silver-pating Works
and Thomas Shay Cincinnati lawyer; me elleIa, i
contains report Ot the committee Ihls states tlat
of the fortunate patrons by lot oni OF 100000
or names on the cOmpanys books Ihey also SUD
recommend shall be paid by the fortunate patrons; ls
recommendation the company acts on by delcaity say
ing that the expense incurred in the distribution VIII
reach trhe 81 90 to each person receiving eil
painting. This amount the recipents OF the tr'zes
must bear, in order that the company not be
put 10 absolute money loss" In the circulars
frst sent out the persons mentioned as having eeeI
charged to G. Weber Secretary Of the Awarding Com
mittee - but later circulars stale that the money must
he directly
per picture is much IN advance OF the prices o
out last month"; the charge for expenses Is increased
to 50 10. o
Accompanying the circular is sent list OF $50 names
and care taken direct the circulars TO the persons
whose names appear on the lists enclosed. Mo't Oh tc
have been cuod from some Post Office record. Each
name IL printed with number. AS follows;
lS0 Mrs. Mary Garvln ST. Peter, Nicoet Co, Mimi
40 nebocca 4 HalIoway santa MARA ,i,.t Cal 10
43 T6e me Rs1 sSH n Chapman Berlin Ottawa Co. c
l43 Almira T.. Purdy, Buterylle, Jennings Co.. Ind
Each name on the list is stated be entitled TO the
picture corresponding with the number OF me name
The whom circulars are sent are asked 70 SEND
money by mOneyOrders registered letters, retaining
cents Of the charge for expenses to pay Tor Orcer or
registry fees. ., 81, 49,
illustrated by the following letter from the Rev l. NJ
Chapman Of Berlin, Mich, whose name has appeared
on two OF the lists seut out:
To the EDITOR Of the Tribune.
SIR Iwrite TO thank you for article In recent IS
of the semiweekly on Art Degraded to Trade"
You will by the accompanying circular how green
ones" are dupcd got IL III February as the announce
IDent OF annual closing out OF pictures; but some
how second lot OF $50 pictures were drawn in month
and while was one Of the lucky no. l42 on the
other drawing again am lucky as No 1873 on the
list The first drawing was out OF nearly 10000
Names" and the second out OF " over 100000 names
had oil painting in in the house. BY wife Is Wo
man Of refined taste. II seemed 10 be lust the
chance for me- / forwarded postal order for
81 90 and got q picture 1Sx24 inches. purchased
black walnut frame for the painting, ana must say
that it is the best looking picture IN the house, but
whether the cOOrs Will hOld the picture be In any
way durable, cannot say.
| was much puzzled to know how the National Art
Company could such All immense number OF " oil
paintings by our best artists every year. and be forced
TO close them yearly by auction sales. But even
preacher supposed TO know everything, ana as
preach faith so much cOnded in the statements Of the
circular. postal order for another picture,
and lust before read your article had decided to send
So 20 for $40 frame Of ornamentod solid GIT mould
ing inches deep" AS read your article, the scales
began TO fall thick and fast from my eyes The only IN
terestng question which have to solve now is whether
my painting Is a pOt-boiler" or "buckeye." Thank
you again for the article, for the information conveyed
aud for the help gives Judge Of pictures Thank
you all fearless exposures OF nfrGuds" from 3 =
Cox down TO "pOtbOilers" and budkeyes" am truly
glad there is At least public journal that hunts up
swindng and exposes it, Every honest man III the Ma
ton ought 20 patTOnize such paper l. NJ. CHAPLAIN.
Gr0nd Rapids Mich, June i, 1873.