Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-03
IrHr cosrLInsr rHIxas.


Small Articles That Were Worth Great
Deal of Money.
National Magazine.
A buff leghorn pullet exhibited at
the Chicken Fair in Madison Square
Garden in jar uary, 1892, was valued at
500.
The costliest paintings of modern
times have proved to be Meissonier's
"1Sl4" and Millet's 1.-THE Angelus, +"
NJ. Chauchard gave $50, 600 francs
tS170, 000) for 1854" and 750, 600
francs $3.50, 000) for "The Angelus. !"
Henry Hilton in 1887 paid s66, 600 for
Meissonier's g Friedland, in 1907" and
presented il to the Metropolitan
Museum Of Art. That was the highest
price ever paid for a modern picture
until THE Angelus'' was sold at the
Secretap sale for 553, 900 francs. OF
course, the after-sales of the two great
pictures mentioned broke even this
record.
The Shah of Persia has tobacco
pipe worth $500, 900.
The most costly book in the world is
declared to be a Hebrew Bible now in
the Vatican. In the year 1912 it Ia said
that Pope Julius III. refused to sell this
Hebrew Bible for its weight in gold,
which would amount to S103, 600. This
is the greatest price ever offered for a
book.
In the year 1886 a tulip bulb was
sold in Holland for 81, 200. 1t weighed
200 grains.
The costliest meal ever served, as far
as history shows, was supper given
by Aelius Verus, one of the most lavish
of all the Romans OF the latter day, to
a dozen guests. The cost of this sup
per was 6,000 sesteria, which would
amount TO e4S, 500. or nearly quarter
of million of dollars A celebrated
feast given by Vitellius. Roman EN-
peror Of those degenerate days, to his
brother Lucius, cost little over
$500, 600. SuetoDius says that this
banquet consisted OF 1000 different
dishes OF fish and 1000 different fowls,
besides other courses in proportion.
Vitellius, fortunately for his exchequer.
did not reign very long, else that would
have been exhausted, as well AS the
game preserves Of Libya. Spain and
Britain and the waters of the Carpa-
THAN and Adriatic seas. One dish
alone at the table of the Emperor
Heliogabulus cost 5000, 600. :
The largest sum ever asked or offered
for single diamond ia e430, 600, which
the Nizam Of Hyderabad agreed to
give to Mr.. Jacobs, the famous jeweler
of Simla, for the Imperial" diamond.
This is considered the finest stone in
the world.
The costliest toy on record was a
broken nosed wooden horse which be-
longed to Napoleon Bonaparte, and was
sold few years ago for !, coo francs.
The costiest cigars ever broughtsto
this country were box of the brand
specially made for the Prince Of
Wales in Havana, the manufacturer
price for which was Sl.87 apiece.
Quite popular cigar among some OF
the rich uen of New York 10 special
Henry CLAY, which come in handome
box, wrapped in gold foil, and retailE
for 81. 40 apiece.
The largest price ever paid for a cane
was bid at an auction In London OF the
walking sticks which were once the
property of George III and George Nv.
1t was 918, or 800, and was given for q
walking stick of ebony, with a golG
top, engraved &c. r." and with 6
crown, and also containing the hair o.
the Princesses Augusta, Elizabeth,
Mary Sophia and Amelia, and in
scribed 1.-THE Gift Of the Princess
Mary, 1904. ="
The'costliest mats in the world are
owned by the Shah of Persia and the
Sultan Of Turkey. The Shah and the
Sultan each possess a mat made Of
pearls and diamonds, valued at ovel
50, 500, 900. The largest mat ever made
is owned by the Carlton Club of Lon,
| don, and is O work of art ..