Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-31
a Picture Ernur.
N.ugate Va gazinel

Although canvas-jobbers, on the whole,
lead unobstructivc lives they occasion
ally become the despositares Of some
strange secrets. For there are art deal
ors and art--dealers, and all Of that TX
are not tho paragons OF perfection
which a trusting public suppose them TO
be- u "a no secret, indeed that some or
these gentlemen have seen tho inside OF
Black Maria and have known what it IS
to live I'm compulsory retirement for
months together at the nations expense.
Tho artists who work for them are VOL
aware Of these facts-nay occasionally
become partakers IN their EVIL deeds,
though I'm g purblind fashion, and with
out criminelity OF intent Hera Is a case
in point An English peer Whose name.
for obvious reasons Is withheld had IN
his possession e very fine Rubens, painted
on panel, which he took TO en- sTt-deal-
er's to be restored. lie had heard OF the
tricks played upon the owners Of valuable
paintings by uns0ToDaious restoFers, and
particularly OF their artfulrsss in taking
UP what arc known as "changelings' d.
O., skilful copies OF tho orginsi5, which
are foisted upon the vnsuspectlns own
ers IN lieu Of their own workl); so. as 60
render tho prspetracon OF such 4 fraud
impossible the noblomen affixed num-
Der os seals 20 the back Of the panel be-
fore sending IL away.
on the very day that the dealer Ie-
ceivod the picture he handed It oyer-not
to rcstorer, but-to a canyas-J0bber.
whom he kept on the premise5-a clever
booty seilow, and one Of the best copy
fists in .hs country. "Can you let me
have o perfect copy Of this In five weeks
from 10 dayr asked tho dealer. lie was
q STOPPED ola fashioned little man. Who
affected tho costume OF a bygone gsnsr-
alton. The artist who had E brierwood
pi9e between he teeth answrea of4-hand-
elly, 'Vsr how muchr' Twenty nvo
pounds" "Nol I couldn't" "Guinea5,
thenT "Ncg guiue2a." Tor how much
could you do IL" Forty pound s--sna
cheap at that" The dealer hesitated
you shall have the Job" he then said
Within FIVE weeks tho COPY was hnlshed
ana the artist was riclag on tho pro
oesds OF bis labor. In another week tho
noOleman was showing what he called
hts renovated Rubens" 20 a friend, ana
expatlating with Enthusiasm on the eaiil
with which the restorer had dono his
work. mot a seal was broken" he ad-
ded, for his ffiend had boon present
when the precautionary measures wers
taken
The following summer o WEALTHY Ame-
rican, on a visit 10 this country, spent a
week at the noblsmsn's mansion. An"
said he. as be was being shown through
the piotura-gallery, Il see you have
COPY OF my Ruhens. Fine copy. too"
Pardon rne--not a copy" returned MS
lordship with smiling courtesy. "Ihe
picture has been IN tho possession or my
family for two sonturies." The American
was startled Strange" he said; my
Rubens IS undoubtedly old, too, for was
cd - OUiTlOn 1HLOT3
purchasing. Besides 1 have the pedigree.
M-who sold mo the picture NJ
sold you the picture, did her. repeated
his lordshlp. 1T was he who had my
picture 70 restore last autumn"
Tho American became thoughtful
Facts ware leaking out. Seems pretty
clear that one OF Us has been fooled"
no said. Three thousand pounds was the
price paid for my Rubens This must be
looked into" After weighing the matter
Cor foW moments, he added: Guess we
shall have 10 find out, first OF all. which
OF US has got the copy" Ills lordship ex-
blamed that he had sealed the back or
bis picture, and that the eeals were un-
broken whom tho picture was returned 70
him. Tho American did not give such
weight to this fact as his friend had ex-
peoted. Hs remembered the very definite
judgement he placed great reliance. Then
an idsa occurred TO him. your Rubens Is
a panel painting my Lordr he said In
tsrrogafivsly. Certainly" rs the panel
a thick or thin oneT' "a fairly thick
ono ! should say. Would you care 10 cx-
anime e out Of the frame2' That's a
suggestion I should"
The picture was removed from tho
frame. ana The American examined u
closely-n0t at tho back, but along the
edges. Presently he gave q satisfied
whistle. You've got some smart ones
this side OF tho Alantic." he said admir-
ingly. Look az THAR Ills lordship look
cd and instantly REDEEMED % the roots
OF his hair. He had been yictimized after
all. SPITE Of his precautionary measures
the picture was copy. The panel had
been sawn through ia transverse section,
and the sealed back had been affixed TO
the canvas jobbers replica. To perfect
tina deception the copy had been made on
. specially thin panel