The times., 1899-08-13

Some time ago Mrs. Mckinley was pre-
sented with a costly fan which formerly
belonged to the wife OF Spanish hidalgo.
It was given to her by an American citf-
zen who two years ago spent some time in
a Cuban prison. He selected the wife q
the President of the United States 10 whom
to make this valuable gift because of the
debt OF gratitude he felt he owed fer the
efforts made for his release from prison.
The finest collection OF fans In Europe
belongs to the Baroness James Rothschtid.
The next most famous are those OF ex-
Queen Isabella OF Spain, who has over
eight hundred fans OF all periods and
styles; and the Dowager Empress Of Rus
sia, who Is constantly adding TO her treas
ures. Other noted collections are those OF
the Princess de Sagan, the Duehesse de
Novailles and the Due dAumale.
In this country Mrs. Peter Marie pos
sesses the most valuable lot OF these Hut
tering triaes; Mrs. Cornelius yander5i4t's
collection ranks second. She has sone
painted by Leloir and vihert.
One OF the eostliest trifies in the word
is Mrs. Howard Gouids fan-one OF her
engagement presents from her husband.
It's price is said to be sl60.00 WHICH
easily places the fan in value at the heal
OF the list OF all fans. past. present. and
future It's sticks are of perfectly matched
ivory, and each one is worth a place In the
Metropolitan Museun~of Art; the mount is
studded with turquoise and diamonds.
When folded it is not as long as your hand,
and only half as broad as your palm.
| The handsomest feather fan on record
| is that owned by the Countess OF Lonseale.
it consists OF five wide, white feathers. ths
| largest twenty inches; the amber handle
has her ladyships monogram IN diamonds
/ The baubie cost 81 see.
| OF all her beautiful fans. the Empress
/ Augusta Victoria values most the one made
of the feathers of a bird shot By her royal
spouse
An ivory stick fan riveted with diamonds,
with maltese lace mount and much gold
\ thread, is one of Queen Victorias fans Il
won the prize at fan exhibition given IN
| London, and at the close of the show il was
presented 10 her majesty. IL was made by
a society with a formidable Hame-The
| Worshipful Company of Fanmakers-'
A fan has been named for the Empress
Of Russia. the ~Tzarina; it IS OF pale green
silk. painted with Russian violets. with the
mounts of violet wood.
Cupids playing cats cradle is the charm
| ing painted decoration Of one OF the Ouch
ess of York's fans; the white rose OF York
| is in evidence upon many OF THIS lady .
| fans.
| A court lady OF Munich has a collection OF
fans painted with scenes from all OF Wag
ner's operas. And this grand dame has
fan on which are the signatures CT all the
diplomats who attended some famous con-
gress held at Berlin. Countess Oriola has
the most valuable autograph fan N the
world; il has the autographs of all the royal
family and the Berlin court, including those
I a Tr<xrr-@e II<~ff
A fan was painted to commemorate the
signing of the treaty Of Utrecht. and Is Of
| great historical interest II belongs to a
New York lady, Miss Furniss- 1t IS in
scribed ''Por Ell amor de la Pay.
Another fan which possesses historical
interest is that which now repcses in ths
Castle or Monza, near Milan, Italy This
precious toy dates from the first century.
and was the property OF her majesty
Queen Theodeiinda. It is made of leather,
gilt. and bejeweled. and folds in two on
some sort of hinges. When open. IL Is
RECTANGULAR the leaves being square. The
| gold handle is iniaid with gems
Madame Ponpadour had won1erfal
fan The lace mount cost $4,000, ard It
| took some years 70 make the i've sections.
each one containing medallion or minia-
ture, which are so minute as 10 be almost
invisible TO the naked eye Il Is nov In
existence. broken and apart, but still
shows traces OF its great beauty.
There is a grewsome tale that while
Charlotte CorGay, who was a devotse OF
the fan. stabbed Marat with one hand, she
used her fan with the other.
In Mrs Langtry's fan room. designed for
her by Oscar Wilde, the greater number OF
fans are Dutch
The finest one OF Christine Missions co..
lection of fans was given 10 her by TIE
Thakore Sahib of Morri. and is made OF
: gold, gems. and feathers Another one is
covered with diamonds, rubies, pearls, and
: emeralds One presented TO her by the
. city of Venice is of silver hligree and
Doint lace. One of the choice bits CT this
collection, which is valued at S50.09o, IS the
5 fan which Marie Antoinette had with ner
! in prison and which she carried TO tas
L