New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-14
ACTORS AS AUCTIONEERS.
THE SALE OF SEATS FOR THE coULDocK
BENEFIT
JOSEPH JEFFERsoN's TRIBUTE TO HIS OLD
FRIEND-A LARGE SUM SECURED

JOSEPH JEFFERsoN's TRIBUTE TO HIS OLD
FRIEND-A LARGE SUM SECURED.
The resu,t of the auction sale OF seats for the
benefit to C. w. Couldock, which occurred at tho
Fifth Avenue Theatre yesterday. was most grat'iy'
ing the managers. The benefit Is to occur on the
afternoon OF May 81. when "The Rivals VIII %
played by a cast made up almost entirely OF stars.
The announcement that several well-known actors
would appear as auctoneers drew larger audi
ence than some OF the plays In town nave peen
dra wing Of late.
The first amateur auctioneer to try his persuasive
powers on the audience Joseph JEFFERSON.
He received with applause and began his task
by speaking thus:
generous greeting. Allow me to say-I don't know
%aS msos IT HSi
Ing more agreeable to an actor than good round
purpose It assures 's me that / am welcome. and
gives me time to think Of what am s sS,ns TO
c Compliment you have paid me- Il came here and
s samsy might fall my lot the
time so have. Of course prepared few remarks:
at once to refer to the most important subject OF
~ MS ousUcs cn k R% o
as an actor, and he scarcely needs any introduc:
sw fF S" there ars
early and even with the present portion OF me
Wick may Di SI prh s YOU Mr.
has been on the stage fifty. possibly sixty.
England. TO come to this country and support our
great American actress. Charlotte Cushman. HIS
Ss me oT Ais IN The Willow
will never be forgotten. His dramatic achievements
were continued round OF success. finally Wind
Ing up With that , great erection Duns'an hrke'
So much for Mr. Couldock's position actor.
Still. there IS one thing more that ! may mention:
as s'a star and then became the support OF many
OF our principal actors; among wnoH was our Gear.
sns see c the 0h And let this e
included. have supported Mr. couldock when ne
for he 'i is still star Although he has been in
the armament for 80 many years. his brilliancy as
he intends to retire from the stage For my part
hope not. for cannot spare him. SO much for
M Let me now speak Of him man. You have
him in 5nsse h nr ory Years m other
characters-characterso off the stage characters OK
friend nG IN y as
l have known him. and have no doubt long before
ever ver disa 'S public betrayed his trust
his manager deceived his friends or injured his his
to honor to-day, and l am proud of being one to
do so.
acting and Of success having been star and hav-
Ing supported stars-you would naturally have sup
And so he could have been a wealthy mHn, Dut
let tell you where that money has g0ne Tor D
counted mser handles his gold nor has II been ,
for the sacred object Of giving happiness and COM
fort to others For half century he has cast his
day to try and ual that sacred promise. and to
see that that bread shall be returned
sale and let me say that have received letter
from friend Of Mr. Coudock signed s,co and a a
check. Offering to start the first box at Noo. l am
requested give the name and simply TO say
that IL is from a friend Now then ladies ana
gentlemen must ask You to Examine III that a6d p1 tx
one OF my brother comedians, is. assure you.
nothing like SO fine box wha, am ! offered Tor
left hand What am offered for the left hand 4oxr
Starting the bidding at SEQ. Mr.. jefferson in
few minutes ran up 10 $685. at which price II was
sold to Joseph Murphy. The announcement OF MI.
Murphys name was received with applause. Mr..
Jefferson said that William II. Crane was TO sell
the next box but that he was prevented from being
present by death in his family. and James a.
Herne would take his place. Mr.. Herne then APP
peared and said that he would offer fan sale the
choice of the remaining boxes. A bouquet would go
with the box and also a picture OF hlmsef as
Triby He also he said, had letter In his pocket
Offering 500 for the box and he would start the
bidding that figure II quickly ran up 10 49,
and the box was sold TO Mr.. jefferson.
Thomas W. Keene next sold box for $3.50 TO
Al Hayman. and then Francis Wilson got the
bidding up to $50 a, which price ne Dough- x
himself Thomas a as, sSe tSsn
took charge and sold the remaining three boxes
for $685. 500 and So After the sale o. seats Hia
son had given back his box TO be sofa again. anu
he thereupon sod !, for 500 o,, % r,ou.. W
g. and the third to Thomas Jefferson for $40 The
It stopped. The result Of the sale was approx;
mateiy as follows Boxes sold s!s9 seats sss s9 "a
total s277s Is The regular box office sale OF seats
viii begin next Monday and a, least three-quarsers
Of the house remains 10 be disposed o.