New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-20
THE SUIT OVER 4 TANTALCS cur.
MRS AIVA f. BELMONTS ALLEGED FAlLChh
TO RETURN 1T TO THE BARONESS
DE BERZSENYI

Tho sui, brought about year ago in the City Court
bv William r. Beach. jr assignee OF the Baroness
Blanche de Berzsenyi, against Mrs. AVA L. 'a"ue'
hn. noo the wife OF Oliver H. p. Belmont, 10 recover
$500 the alleged value of "Tantalus cup was be-
fore the court yesterday.
Ir,,,,. Lehman counsel fo- the plaintiff. and Jay e.
Gambler for Mrs Belmont submitted 10 Judge Nc
Carthv in the City Court Chambers. direct and cross
interrogatores 10 be propounded TO the baroness ue
Berzsenyi who is at present living In Pars. MI
Lehman said that the Baroness sent the lah'aIus cup
70 Mrs Belmont. then Mrs. Vanderbilt. at the latter
reouest with the understanding that II satisfactory
The vase was 10 be retained wedding gift Tor MIS-
Vanderbilt's daughter COnsueo. now the Duchess OF
Marlborough He said that the cup was never re-
turned TO the Baroness had she been paid FOR H.
Mr. Lehman then said that he had only one obtec-
ton 10 make to the undergraduates and tnat was 10
the query as 10 how many husbands the Baroness
had had and when the last died II not al present
uvin1 Judge Mccarthy sustained this objection
Mrs Bemonts counsel desired that the plaintiff
tell when and where she (Mrs. BelmonD requested
that the cup be to her. The paintin IS also re-
quesed to produce any letters she may nave on the
subject and TO testify to whom she purcnasea 'he
cup from Counsel also asked the Baroness where
she acquired the knowledge that makes her judge
Of the value OF such a cup. The Baroness Is also to
be asked II 1t is not fact that she never met MIS-
belmont and If II is not iaet nst Of ths 1n n0
the plaintiff endeavored TO call the defendants az
ties TO persons supposed be In the employ OF the
defendant 10 induce the latter 10 examine the cup
The Baroness is also asked 10 say whether II Is not
fact that She without ever having received any re-
quest from the defendant DO sent the cup Dy
servant 10 hotel In this city, where Il was lett with
A clerk Of the hotel The lnterrogatories and cross
lnerrogatorips will be forwarded 10 Paris al once
The baroness TO this city about eighteen
months ago from France and lived at the Waldorf
where she had handsome suite Of rooms for several
months She is a native Of Austria and IS about
twentv-seven years old When the Baroness came
here she had with her brc-a brac, paintings Japan
ESQ ana Chinese curos which said to be worth In
The neghborhood OF $4,000. Among these was tho
Tartalus cup According 10 an affidavit made by the
Baroness Mrs Belmont. then Vanderbilt. was look
Irr abou. for suitable wedding presents for her
daughter Consuelo, and she was asked BY a mutual
friend 10 have the Baroness send curi0s. including
Inc cun 10 her at the Hotel Savoy. The day before
the wedding Of Miss Consuelo TO the Duke OF MARI
horough the Baroness sent 70 the defendant asking
nor whether she intended to purchase her curios and
the Tantaus cup In her complaint the Baroness says
Ina, ali her property returned, exceDt the cup
She saws OF the cup: Owing 10 Its historical
and neurological value. its exquisite workmanship
oldItv and moreover, owing 10 the fact that there
are bt,t few Of the kind and quality in existence. II
was rea sonably worth $500 In regard 10 the alleged
failure OF the defendant to return the cup. the Baron
ess saws in her complaint Mrs. Vanderbilt did not
take due and proper care of the cup nor would when
50 requested nor at any time before or aferward re-
deliver the same her but on the contrary took such
had there. by and through the careessness
and negligence and improper conduct Of Mrs. VAN
rerbIlt the cup was broken stolen or lost