The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1898-01-09
LOOKS like
A SWINDLE,
Many Roanokers Waiting For Goods
Paid For But Not Delivered.
AFTER PAYING so CENTS TO THE
AGENT AND PROMISING TO PAY
so CENTS MORE ON DELIVERY,
MANY CITIZENS ARE STILL
WAITING FOR THE DELIVERY
OF A Sl5 PICTURE, WHICH WAS
OFFERED FOR 81.

oughly canvassed by picture agents rep
resenting that they would give SIS life
size portrait ready framed for 81. The
agent tod one lady who gave an order
for portrait, that the frame would be
like the one shown with sample or let
ter, an" I is quite probable that he sue
ceeded in inducing many others to place
orders for his portraits by making SINH
lar representations.
1t seems upon securing the order. which
seemed Mt an extravagantly low Price, the
customer was then informed that they
would he required to pay so cents in ad-
vance, and the balance upon the compile
ton OF the portrait. at least nearly
everybody who gave an order so under
stood il and the advance payment was
collected.
1t is thought that about 2U0 people
here availed themselves of the opportu-
/ ity to get Il $40 portrait for 81. The con-
Germ which was making such an extraor-
binary ofer is known as the g. l.. Mar
tel portrait copying house. of 237 Pleas
ant avenue, n. Y.
a card which the subscribers under
stood to be receipt was given them by
the agent with paid 80" written across
it's face in blue pencil. The card read as
follows:
GA special $50 offer through agent for
81. We are introducing our French Pas
tellette Portraits. To 10 so we propose
to give you one life size Pastelette Por-
trait on lGN20 card, same us shown by
agent with frame, worth S1t FOR 81. All
we ask of you is to pay our agents SO
GEMS, and prepay 90 cents To US for cost
of artists materials. after YOU are mott.
fled by us that your picture is received and
ready TO be finished Remember we can
only make you one portrait under this
contract, IA it is to introduce the work
TINT this house Is making so great sac
riice. This work is of the highest grade,
and we feel confident of many more or
ders at our regular price OF SIS in return
after you have received your sample por-
trait. Respectfully, the G. e. Martel
Portrait Copying House,
In about two weeks after placing the
order ard everybody vera looking for
their pictures to be delivered they receiv
ed a circular letter from the house which
reads as follows:
"New York, Dec. II, 1897. Dear
Madam: Your picture has been received
and is now IN the art department. ready
to be finished All we require is for YOU
to prepay the 30 cents as pc: contract,
which you signed, q duplicate of which
our agent left with you. Remember we
guarantee satisfaction or refund your
money. Our portraits as you can see by
the enclosed, testimonials are the most
natural and life-like ma de in this coun-
try. They are perfect likenesses of the
photos given to us, and you certainly will
feel proud to have such an ornament for
your parlor IL you appreciate good work
We are positive THAT when hung up, it
Will be by far the best advertising me-
dunn we can secure. If you should give
your picture to your photographer he
would re Iuire you to pay more as de-
post than we charge for the entire pic.
ture, and Jou must hear in mind that you
are getting our regular 1915 portrait for
81 exclusive al delivery, which is our adj
vertising price, and since you paid 80
cents to the agent, &c only leaves re-
mainder of 80 cents for this fine portrait,
all complete. In sending the money do
so by putting your 80 cents in the en-
closed card, seal as directed on cafd
Then register the letter if you wish. AS
to our reliability etc, we can refer you
to any Of the commercial agencies,
banks, or all the express companies in
New York city, so you may rest assured
that your small picture is safe with u.s.
Kindly send us the money by the earliest
possible date so that the portrait may be
sent to you without fur Their delay. We
are positive that after you have received
the portrait you can obtain numerous or
ders from your friends at our regular
price of Sl5. Their portraits will be ex.
actly like the one sent you and after re-
ceiving five orders from your friends at
our regular price of $15, and mentioning
your name, we will make you a present
of another portrait in every respect as
fine AS the one received. Yours respect
fully. The 6. E. Martel Portrait Copying
House. p. S.-Please send the money
within ten days after the receipt of this
letter, as we will not after that :ime de-
liver pictures at less than $15 the regular
price. Your photo Or tin-type will he ent
with your enlarged portrait
The reception of the above notice was
regarded by many as Il scheme to get
their money and they refr sed to send the
money. From inquiry made among the
ladies who subscribed it seems that
small percentage of them sent..the extra
half dollar. This time they expected that
their part Of the contract had been full
filled to the letter and anxiously awaited
the arrival o. the picture The portraits
have not yet come and the subscribers
who sent the extra so cents have since re.
oeived q second notice which reads as fol.
lows:
New YORK, Dec, %, 1897. Dear
Madam: We acknowledge receipt of the
90 cents and please accept our thanks for
same. Your picture is now finished and
ready TO be framed. We herewith enclose
cuts OF the various styles OF frames from
which you can select yours. and remem
her that no frame is too fine for this high
a -