Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-26
FRESH FROM PARIS.
Boon for the Pittsburg Exposition
Special Pieces Coming Direct From
the French Exhibition to Our Own.


the French Exhibition to Our Own.
Mr.. j. Harvey Wattles, of W. W. Wat
ties & Co., has returned to Pittsburg after
an absence of two months, spent in Paris.
The great French Exposition almost monop-
olized his time. A reporter of The Dispatch
found Mr.. Wattles enthusiastic and de-
lighted with what he had seen. In answer
to the question whether the Paris Exposi-
tion was a success, Mr.. Wattles said
Beyond all doubt it is. The buildings
and grounds are delightful, the exhibits are
wonderfully fine and the attendance good.
l saw there some astonishingly valuable
jewels and quantities of artistic French
novelties, which as you know are world
famed for their originality and beauty"
''What precious stones did you especially
notice?" asked the reporter.
"The diamonds, which are magnificent
One stone weighing 1S0 carats was there
1t was bought by a syndicate who hold it
for sale at the enormous sum of s., 900, 000
1t forms the center of the Jewel exhibit. oc.
cupying a special case. Then there were
thousands of rarities in color and cutting
to notice, and wonderful ornamental pieces.
such as are never seen in this country, be-
ing made for the nobility of Europe. For
example, there were two birds wings made
of solid diamonds, shaped to form a sort of
court
receptions.
'''Now, Mr.. wattles, have YOU brought
back anything noteworthy TO please Pitts
burg people"
why, my dear sir, all the time was
away l worked to that end, and have Sc
cured number of special pieces for exhi-
bftion here"
''Is there anything you think will be par
ticularly admired?"
Yes, SO much of interest that 1 scarcely
know what to name first. Not to burden
you with long list of all have bought. it
will be safe to say that the article which
will produce the greatest surprise and admi-
ration is piece OF bronze statuary modelled
by the celebrated sculptor, CASTOR Leroux,
the original of which has been bought bv
the French Republic for permanent display
and is now in the Paris Exposition. OF
great interest to the ladies will be some
antique silks which we expect to display.
These picked up in a curiosity shop
They were made in Lyons in the times of
the Louis of France, and worn by the ladies
of the time of Louis XVI. and Napoleon"
"Is it possible that these fabrics, which
are over a century old, are in good condi-
tion?"
''Yes, such superb silk will last a wonder
Iul number of years. We never see its like
",
designs and patterns are exquisite They
would make beautiful cushions, parlor
table and chair coverings, and they are used
for screens
What else will you display?
"a splendid collection of Vernis Martin
furniture, consisting of cabinets. music
racks, tables. desks, etc., all in the Louis
XVI. style, which is now so eagerly sought
in Europe and America. Then. if it is not
detaining you too long, / would like to saw
that have secured an incomparably fine
cut-glass chandelier, ARRANGED for electric
lights, which was made expressly for the
Paris Exposition, but which the maker let
me have as great favor, after 1 told him
it was for display in Pittsburg. 1t will
hang from the dome in the center of our
Exposition stands, and no doubt it will pro-
luce a sensation by its beautv''
You must have been particularly for
tunate in securing fine goods for your dis
play?"
Eyes, 1 certainly have obtained the
choicest collection yet shown. 1t has been
my desire to introduce every year direct to
Pittsburg as fine goods as can be seen in the
Eastern cities"
"Have you obtained many exclusive
1ovelties?''
"Of course. You readily see that going !
French Exhibition and securing new goods |
Is soon as they are made, DO house in Pitts |
,urg can compete with ours in that direction.
Let me tell you little secret. All visitors |
o w. w. Wattles & Co.'s stand in the |
Exposition will be presented with |
! beautiful little souvenir from the Paris |
Exhibition"
will you say what this souvenir is?"
Not now. We prefer to surprise our
riends and customers, and intend. also. to |
make our display in the Exposition so beau
iful and exceptional that it will be worth
journey to see it,
"Now, aside from being busy with my
purchases while abroad, l was greatly de-
lighted to sell to Pittsburgers soiourninp in
Paris some very fine pieces, and am bring
ng over with my shipment number of
ases which they had sent in my care.
these cases and ours are in the custom
Iouse, where must now go to clear them.
'lease excuse me; good day."