Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-23
MOUNT VERNON RELICS.
Many OF the Articles Used By washingtsa
Sold.

Many OF the Articles Used By washingtun
Sold.
Although recent Developments have had q
tendency to make collectors Of Washingto mana
exceedingly cautious in their purchase Of such
material, the craze has not BY any means sub
! sided. This was pretty well demonstrated yes
terday in Philadelphia at the sale of the auto
graph collection formed by Rev. Joseph Henry
Dubbs OF Lancaster, Pa, besides miscellans-
Gus collection Of autographs and relics. The
relics consisted Of articles Of furniture used BY
Washington at Mount Vernon
The first relic sold was Martha Washington's
music book, in which most Of the music and
words were written by Mrs. Warrington. II
was unique and interesting relic Of the wife
OF the first President. According to the cata-
logue 1t was inherited by Nellie Gusts, and on
the fyleaf win be found her signature written
in large letters: "Elsnor Parke Gusts, Febru-
AIRY 25th, 1887" Some Of the pieces Of music
in the volume resemble very much the writing
Of Mary Washington, the mother Of the gem
erA The relic was purchased for ESQ.
Nellie Gusts music book was next sold.
This brought ESQ and was bought by W. R
Benjamin. collection Of papers used by the
executors in settling the estate Of the various
members Of the Washington and Lee families Of
Virginia were also sold. They ranged in price
from 81 up to ESQ.
The personal relics of washington's which
were sold were his secretary and book case.
fine old Chippendale piece. of furniture, the
companion piece of which Is to be found at
Mount Vernon. This relic brought $4,000
Washington's card tables were next sold. They
brought &260 each and we're bought by W. r.
Benjamin. The generals dining table was sold
to the same buyer for s3s5. A fine old French
spinnet or keyed instrument, with bell and
drum attachments, which the catalogue stated
once belonged to Nellie Gusts, was sold
for 81 400. An old pewter Inkstand, which
once belonged to Washington, was bought
for $25.
Among the autograph letters Of Washington's
sold was one Of considerable interest. For
some years Geo. w. Childs of Philadelphia has
enjoyed the reputation among Washingtoniana
collectors Of possessing the last letter written
by Gen. Washington. 1t bears date Mt. YER
non. December s, l79s Mr.. Childs purchased
this letter at the sale Of the collection Of JOS
Mickey, which was sold on the LIST Of Novem-
Der, 1878.
The letter was catalogued as being the last
epistle written by Washington, and at the time
this statement was not disputed, in fact from
that day to this the letter has always been
looked upon rs Washington's last effusion, but
it cannot be SO regarded after this date, as the
letter sold yesterday is unquestionably the
generals last epistle, written only day before
his death, while the letter owned by Mr.. Childs
was written six days before that event. 1t
reads as follows:
MOUNT VERNON, 18th Deer, 1893.
Mr.. Anderson
did not know that you were here yesterday morn
ing until had mounted my horse, otherwise should
nave given you what now send
x NJ sn to the nGn to
that farm 70 his brother. and. going to River
farm myself. carried copy :or that farm to Donal
Both Of them have been directed to consider them at
tentivey, and to he prepared give their ideas
called upon.
such pen as saw yesterday at Union farm would.
If the cattle were kept in 1t week destroy the
whole of them. They would be infinitely more COM
Portable In this or any other weather in the open
fields Dogue Run farm pen may be in the same con-
dltion 1t did not occur to me as passed through
the yard Of the barn to look into 1t. 1 am your
friend, &C..
GEO. WASHINGTON.
Mr.. Jas Anderson,
1t was bought by the Historical Society Of
Pennsylvania for $3.50. number Of other
autograph letters Of Washington were sold,
several Of historical interest. They brought
good prices.