St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-06-02
A RARE COLLECTION
Of Casts of Ancient Classic Statuary
offered to Minneapolis.
Grand Art Display Promised--Yeste
days Work of the Directors.

Minneapolis is to have an opportunity of
procuring for herself and her exposition a
magnificent advertisement in the shape of
collection of plaster casts of the most cele
brated pieces of classic statuary. This col
lection is the work of three years labor by
Di Cesnola for the Metropolitan Academy
of Design. at New York, and is placed at
the disposition of Minneapolis through the
kindly offices of Bierstadt, the celebrated
painter, inasmuch as the new academy
building will not be ready for some time.
Ii. j. Smith, the art superintendent of the
exposition, when he started on his trip, con-
ceived the idea of securing a cOllec.
ton of casts, but refrained from mention
ing it until he had some assurance
of success. Bierstadt, whose soul
is wrapped up in art became interested and
promised his aid. Through his influence
Cesnola agreed..to allow Minneapolis to pur
chase the collection at $10,5 provided
it were done at once, SO that the boxes might
be entered for Minneapolis upon arrival at
New York. MI. Smith reported this to the
board yesterday afternoon and drew such
fascinating picture of the collection, its
beauty, its value and above all its advertise
ment to Minneapolis that he created great en-
thuSiasm in the board. This will be one of
the finest collections in America and would
be an admirable nucleus for an art academy,
which Minneapolis will soon have. The
board decided the exposition could not af-
ford the expense at this time. but Maj.
Regain made an enthusiastic address, ad-
vising the matter be left to the liberal
and art-loving people of Minneapolis. On
his motion a committee of five citizens will
be appointed to consider the ACCESSIBILITY of
making the purchase.
THE ART EXHIBIT.
Mr.. Smith reported the most gratifying
success in securing oil paintings, oranges
terra Gotta and bas-relief for the art de-
partment. He will have 700 fine paintings
that he guarantees will surpass the cOllec-
ton now on exhibition at the academy of
design, at New York. Most of these will
come from that city, direct from studios,
the remainder being divided between Bos
ton. Philadelphia and Chicago. He also
made good collection of marble busts,
oranges. etc., all gathered with reference to
the space in the gallery. He procured no
statuary, regarding the hazard of breakage
too great. In addition to these, Mrs. Kid
der will gather some valuable paintings at
Munich, which will greatly add to most
promising collection.
The exposition board yesterday afternoon
received proposals from an organization
which has begun an arrangement for can
vassing the city in relation to securing en-
tertainment for the throngs of people ex-
pected during the exposition. 1t is pro-
posed to make thorough canvass and list
and publish the names of boarding houses.
The building committee reported the let
ting to the Pray Manufacturing company
the contract for hanging all shafting, coup
ling and gearing machinery at cents per
pound; also the letting of the contract for
boilers to the Heine Safety Boiler company
of st. Louis: the boiler to be full 1000
horse power, with additional seventy
pounds pressure. The price is SIS, 900, of
which 81, 600 is to be in stock and the bal
ance in payments, without interest, up to
Nov. 1, the boiler set up for use and in
sured for one year. The remainder of the
business was principally routine and with
out interest to the general public.