Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-31

Auction Sale Of Ex-Governor Spraguess
EOuSchO1d Goods.

From the Providence Journal Jan n
Yesterday Auctioneer F. J. Sheldon opened
the sale of the Canonchet house-furnishings in
Infantry Hall. The actioneer and his assistants
stood on the stage in the midst of an interesting
and varied collection of goods that included
nearly everything in the way of the small ware
Of household from porcelain matchbox to a
5O-pound brass candelabrum. big heap of
torn lace curtains stood on one side. and a pile
of more or less mOth-eaten lambrequins lay on
the other. long table was covered with crock
cry. glassware, toilet articles vases and no end
OF bric-a-brac, some of it in good condition and
some showing evidence OF hard service There
were delicate little relics-a lady's bouquet
holder that was once unique and precious. little
ornaments of doubtful value at any period. It'd
bits from the mantels. bureau, or sideboard and
general collection desirable only as souvenirs.
Around the hall the large furniture was arranged.
Ihere were sidebOards, bookcases, cabinets.
WardrObes, and tables in mahogany oak, black
walnut, and rosewood. plain. carved, decorated.
ana inlaid There were half dozen chamber
sets. complete and in pieces and chairs and
sofas OF no remarkable beauty, with several
writing desks-the handsomest pieces In the
what-nOts. On the floor were laid carpets mats,
and rugs. some OF which could have once laid
claim to beauty and value
The bidders appeared to be private purchasers,
and the bidding was lively, although the arti-
cles sold were of small value The average sale
amounted to about $40, until handsome cut
glass table set of % pieces-truit, nut and ice
cream dishes, with saucers and plates-was put
up 1t was knocked down for si54, but the con-
test was opened again between William NJ.
Bally and Major Arnold, and up the bids ran
till the latter got it for sl27 By 1890 the table
was emptied and sold. and the stage was swept
clean. Some 200 articles had been disposed of
and upward of S., 600 realized. 1t seemed to be
the impre ssion that every article brought all it
was worth, and may be more. The crowd had
thinned out considerably but began to gather
again when the auctioneer turned to the heavier
articles. AuctlOneer Draper went to work with
will and knocked down furniture of all sorts
OF values in all sorts of lots. The pictures,
mainly steel engravings, that hung about the
walls, were disposed of at fair value but with
the exception of one of the cheaper chamber sets
and some odd pieces of the furniture the larger
articles did not sell to such good advantage as
the collection on the stage. Some of those pres
ent had known Canonchet in its best days, and
groups discuss old "reminiscences fingered about
the familiar furnishings. Zacharah Chaffee was
on hand all day, and Mrs. Sprague accompanied
Lawyer Patton in his rounds after the auc-
tioneer. Mr.. Patton bought up q great deal of
the furnishings. noticeably the entire oak din
1ng-roOm set. sidebOard. tables, and chairs.
handsome Dresden china bowl brought $40; the
handsome lounge with the Sprague cOurt-of-
arms carved on the back sold for $50. The old
hall clock handsome piece. went for S11O, and
small carved oak table for SS2 large and
very handsome old oak carved table went for
S1O5. and a magnificent mantel of the same
material tor S160 to Lucius b. Darling of Paw
tucket. An old oak bookcase, with handsome
carvings and figures in relief sold to Robert
Pettis tor 1905; this is a suberb piece. Two
black chamber sets went fol 9135 and $117
The bird's-eye maple chamber set that is con-
nected with Horace Greeley's visit to the Sprague
mansion went for $3.50 to Mr.. Hazard, of New
port A magnificent parler table went to James
Eddy for 9l02.50. Two sevres ware plates,
valued at 800 piece, went to ex-Councilman
Arnold for $50. One of the handsomest and the
most valuable in the entire lot. was a cabinet of
unique design, covered with inlaid work, and
said to have been purchased at the Deacon sale
in Boston, and also said to date back to the
time of Marie AntOinette. It's alleged value
was 81. 900. 1t sold for $3.50 to Mr.. Robinson
OF Wakefield. A beautiful Sorrento writing
cabinet. a wonderful manufacture of lnad
work. valuedat $500. and said to be the personal
property of Kate Chase Sprague. was bought
for $50 for Boston dealer-one of the few ar
ticles bought in by dealers.
The sale was closed at O'clock after seven
hours steady labor by the auctOneers. The lots
disposed Of number 46S and the work of the
auctiOneers was surprising one. A fair est-
nation will give about 900 realized by the
sale, and, when the condition of the goods Is
considered, and the fact that so many OF them
were made to order and were of unusual design
and extraordinary cost, it would seem that a
very lair valuation was reached.