The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-02
SPURIOUS AUCTION SALES.
The Wealthy Gentleman In Twenty third
Street who ~ Constantly seiiipa Out.

That palatia four-story brown stone front
private residence described in the maps and
the directory 40 100 West Twenty third street.
has been under cloud for several years past.
Its occupant Is always q private gentleman
either involved in business troubles or about to
go abroad for his health and his magnificent
household furniture Is constantly under tho
hammer. There is n sale Of his goods 81 days
out OF every 3G5 and yet the observant visitor
never finds that there Is q pcrceptiblc diminu-
ton in the quantity OF household furniture.
The parlors IRE we'll carpeted and deliberately
furnished, their walls are hung with paintings.
and their mantcls ornamcnted with French
clocks and little knick-knacks. The bed rooms
are fitted up gorgcously. md tho dining room
and kitchen contain all sorts Of crockery and
utensils. II would seem. however, that this un-
fortunate gentleman docs not sleep. or cnt. or
occupy his parlor for everything in the house
il new from tho pans I'm the kitchen TO tho
CHI airs I'm the attic bedroom and II he walks
about the house IL must be in the softest Of Slip
pers for the carpets show no signs of wear In
all his misfortunes, until very recently. the en-
barrasscd gentleman has uvailed himself OF the
services of Mr.. Luke FITZGERALD. auctioneer. but
now whenever he is sold out the ADVERTISE
mcnts bear the namo of Henry c. Reed. Jr..
customer although the red banner that fonts
daiIy in front OF the mouse ~ lnHcfiDel; Nulo
this day. Luke Fitzgerald. auctoneer."
For some time past the unfortunate gentle
man. otherwise Reed or fitzEerald has been
the household furniture suhordinnte To what he
calls Original" paintings, HIS latest advcr-
paintings 10y celebrated artists: "Or the French
Coast." oy Dehcroix: DISH for Liberty by
hsCyy;l dt2m onAsa FT'op rsSro rGgnS2
Canal Venice =" hy Gondi; Watkins Glen" By
Andrews; -" Grecnwch Park. Moonlight 10y
NJ. Iulf laaH "a
iity others. Then follows n modest little limo
informing tho public that the entire household
A Sun reporter visited the palatial residence
lately TO examine the works OF art ms we'll
IA 10 asrertnin the unfortunate eentemans
method ~ disposinK ~ them. He was mot NJ
the door 10y an inquisitive youth, who invited
him in and handed him 4 pamphlst catalogue
came to examine the paintings" said the
Paintings? Yes. sir This way. sir Very
fine collection In the paror. sir
=, Can you show me that gem OF retro
think that's gone sir. There's boon quito
n rage for his pictures
lilo was a Holland painter, believe. You
Yes; the name DOES sound familiar"
on; yes 12u must have read OF him In
Soon after the reporter and bis polite guide
entered tho paror the sale was begun. About
ten persons were in the room, including the
ters and two or three old men with eye glasses.
who seemed 10 be examining tho pictures crit
icHlly. The carpet on the floor was started Mt
ity cent?. the old lady raised ten cents. and
then two OF the old gentlemen with eyeglasses
Joined in. ami run II NJ 20 81 10 yard. The
old lady made bid ON the lace curtains, hut
was outlonc b. tho third old gentleman. who
got them Tor si.15.
Gentomcn.' said the auctoneer. I'll skip
tho furniture for the present and 20 on with the
pictures Here uretW l-rrnts from Lake George
10y Rogers. They cost $3.50 each. and must be
Sold
4 bid II Il 0 was made. In, this the auctioneer
refused, siarin. the pnir at $50. From Til.
figure the oli gentleman with eyeglasses and
"A new conner kept up lively competition, the
au ctoneer looking anXiously at the reporter
now and then. evidently in expectation of bid.
Tho pictures were such "a one can buy any
day ut Wholesale in Nassau street. and were
yalual 10 for their heavy frames only. Dash
for Liberty" represented a girl in y robe
ing canary bird ot brilliant yellow II was
bought by one OF the three old gentleman for
f231.5O. The old gentleman did not seem 10 be
elatcd at his bargain. nor was the other old
gentleman who secured gem OF Gondi's
whoever he Isl for tS7.
The secret ofthe continuous selling out 81 the
unfortunate gentleman IL easily told After
ouch sale the house Ii furnished anew and the
masterpieces of art are replaced by others 81
tho petro Funko school. The reiurnshing is
always done after dark. and great cgre is ken
To- clnceal tho names ~ the furniture manuinc-
turers which the wagons bear. Mr. Luke Fitz-
gerald Is only one Of half n dozen auctionecrs
patent furniture rs Fart u the household goods
of private gentleman. They are always sup
ported hy coufe lerat"s, and make large profits
on all their bona ilde sales.