Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-11
ARTTREASURES.
Auction Sale of Some Remark.
able Oil Paintings,
LEFT BY MR.. JOHN SCOTT.
Historical Scenes of Early Pittsburg
Put in ColorS,
BYTHEBRUSH OFFAMOUS BLYTHE.
COnnOisSeus Attending the Sale Do Some
Lively Bidding.
BY THEBRU OFFAMOUS BLYTHE.
STORIES ATTACHED TO THE PICTURES


auction sale of household effects at the man
sion of the late John Scott, President of The
Allegheny Valley Railroad, at the corner
of Shady lane and Forbes street. This LED
to spirited bidding for some historical old
paintings which Mr.. Scott had possessed
ever since be bought them from the cele.
brated artist who made them, but which, &C.
cording to the railroad magnate's will, had
to be sold with other of his possessions.
Nearly all the wealthy families of the East
End were represented at the sale.
By all odds the most valuable oil paint
ing placed under the hammer was that en-
titled "a Democratic Procession" 1t was
one of the masterpieces Of Blythe, the Pitts
burg artist Of olden times, whose fame was
worldwide. The picture is about 24xSO
inches in size, and is framed in heavy
carved oak. 1t was finally knocked down
to John Newell for $15O. Some persons, es-
pecially older inhabitants of the city. have
been known to estimate its real value as
high as $500.
A REMARKABLE PAINTING.
The painting is remarkable one. It is
the representation of scene in Pittsburg
politics in the campaign in which McClel-
Ian ran for President. The artist has
painted upon the canvass faithful picture
of the old Office of the Post, at the corner of
Fifth avenue and Wood street, where the
First National Bank building now stands.
Passing in review before it is Democratic
procession, which Blythe has car
featured. The more distinct faces in
the line are intended to represent Judge
Shaler, John Irwin and other prominent
iPittsburgers long since dead. A notable
feature is a wagon in which are little girls
dressed in white. A sign on the wagon
reads soft Soap" The grand marshal
rides an old white crowbate of horse,
which is in the act of backing into an avn
ing post. The marshal fourishes d whisky
bottle instead of sword. An old fellow in
the rear is beating drum for dear life.
Blythe painted two faces in the upper
story windows of the Post Office. One he
intended tor Colonel James P. Barr, the
editor, and the other a printers devil. A
bulletin board in front of the Office reads:
--latest News-Little Mac is in consulta-
tion with Woodward"
ANOTHER OF BLYTHE's.
Another of Blythe's works was sold for
S45. 1t was an oil painting of "Old Pap
Beitler." 1t shows this pioneer Boniface Of
the East Liberty valley stirring up the fire
in mis- old-time hostelry. He is STOPPING
over the great, old-fashioned cadaverous
fire CRATE raking up the red hot Goals with q
long poker. His weather-beaten face is
shown to good advantage and is said to be
exceedingly liie-like.
1t appears that all old inhabitants who
remember Pap" Beitler land there are lew
Left delight to tell of his peculiarity to let
nobody stir the hotel fires but himself The
artist caught him in his most familiar atti-
tude. The picture is 12x1S inches. Belt
ler's Hotel was the popular stage coach tav-
ern and road house in East Liberty in We
Olden time. 1t stood on Penn avenue,
where Liberty Hall now stands. Many years
before the construction of the Pennsylvania
Railroad or street railways sleighing and
driving parties from Plttsburg always took
dinner and danced at Beitler'S
COLLECTlNG BLYTHE WORKS..
Mr.. Scott's auctioneer also put up three
paintings by Hetzel. Two were fruit pieces,
and brought $45 and $50 each.
Some persons expected TO see still more
famous painting by Blythe auctioned of,
they being under the impression that Mr..
Scott was the owner Of it. 1t is entitled,
'An Evening at Homewood." It is a very
large piece, worth probably $500. 1t repre-
sents Judge VIM. wilkins, Mr.. John Scott,
Andrew Carnegie and some other we'll
known citizens of Pittsburg during war
times as members of a card party gathered
around a table in the mansion of Judge
wilkins at Homewood. Judge wilkins is
familiar in the country's history as Secre-
tary of War and United States Minister to
Russia, Congressman and jurist. His
father, John wilkins, was burgess of Pitts
burg just 100 years ago.
Mr.. Scott, however, did not own this
painting, 1t is said that Andrew Carnegie
bought it several years ago, and that it is
now in Mrs. Thomas Carnegie's home at
Homewood. There is now in progress a
collection of all Blythe's works, with a
view to grand exhibition some day.
Buyers secured bargains in many other
things that were sold at the Scott mansion.
For instance, new piano, worth $3.50, was
knocked down at $175.