New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-26

the new with the dust and the hair IN silver.
After that asked no more questions
The other day was in sversmith's shop
where much beautiful old plate is to be seen and
some reproductions also on view. As looked
at an nkstand | asked whether it was antique or
modern The silversmth. one of the best judges
in London looked at il also and said he could not
tell till he had seen the mark. 1t proved to be a
COPY But thought you knew old from modern
across the street," yes. from some OF the
modern stuff you all over London, but these
reproductions are all handwork. hammered or
chased with much care and by the same pro-
cesses the antique" These. OF course. were
avowedly copies stamped with the current nail
mark and the makers name There was no IN
tention Of decevng anybody. and yet SO good Is
the work that the very maker could not tell at
sight This kind Of work is expensive; as good
said the dealer. all but the very best of the DID,
at about half the price: and also three times as
dear as the rubbish struck by the dozen or gross
from the die In the cheap things Just silver
enough is used to hold together till the thing is
sent home" Another dealer. he also one Of the
honest minority. remarked that few Of these
fiimsier wares would ever see 1896.
The good work of Queen Anne is "a solid as at
the beginning Of last century. nearly 200 years
pierced baskets by Paul Lamerie delicate as
ferns in perfect condition Paul Lamerie is
great name. perhaps in It's kind the greatest
among makers Of English plate. He is the fash
ion too Much Of his work has lately come into
the market-almost too much The windows
OF Bond-st are abaze with 1t. But Bond-st. is
ever place in which to walk warily There
are good shops in BOnd-st.; others less good.
Experierce is the only guide. and her services
are never to be had gratis. II YOU arc known II
may BE- thought the best policy to treat YOU
fairly and if a thing is Of doubtful authenticity.
to say 1t is doubtful. As to price. that is a Diff
ferent matter II you know the market value.
well and good. II not the dealer seldom feels
bound to attend to your education His SUI
perior knowledge is part Of his stock in trade.
The shops where prices are marked IN pam
figures offer you an obvious advantage Inc
nlain figures represent the highest price that
cen be asked YOU by no means always the low
est that will be taken, especially for cash ON
this point again the dealer has his own etnicaI
views not yours or mine Said one: II do not
pretend to sell to everybody at the same price.
Why should l. If the Prince OF Wales or MI
Vanderbilt comes IN 1t Is right he should pay
more than John Smith"
commend this view to Mr.. Vanderbilt. whose
name use freely: but he must be aware that
II is familiar to every dealer IN Europe, ana
freely used by them also. have been toid
dozen times: Mr. Vanderbilt always buys OF us
and sometimes "Tie never buys anywhere else.
But even TO an Americans simplicity there are
limits and ! did not feel bound to take 'his
literally Mr. Vanderbilt Is not only Mr.. Wander
hilt hut an exception to all rules. ana superior
IN ALL those trials which reduce the purchasing
nower Of the average millionaire. The average
American millionaire has disappeared from the
markets OF Europe He Is lamented In London
IN Paris in Venice In Rome. and IN those lesser
narts those out Of the way towns where IL -
or once was supposed that "bargains' were to
no nicked up; plausible little places which are
"salted" like th, bed Of a Nevada river. one
ard all the dealers lift up their voices in some
ching Ike despair. I'VE have had ~ Aincr-
can money for two years" croakel one. EVen
the American dealers do not come over. cried
another in pathetic tones You appreciate the
difference The Londoner sells 10 his American
colleague at trade price. II there be trace
nrice To the private millionaire. he sells at a
worry different price. Yet amid all this desutu-
ITO, the sales at Christies proceed as merrlIy az
aver and there must be money somewhere
vhan William and Mary cup fetches loo
shilngs an ounce ir the identical metal OF "hch
the bullion value is half d crown T. w -