The Washington times., 1901-11-13
SOLD ALMOST FOR A SONG.
RidiculOusly L1w Prices the Rule
at the Chamberlin Sale.
insignificant Sums Realized for Auto
graph Portraits of Stntesmen-Mr-
Tally and Mr. Barton Contestants
for Pictures of Racing Scenes.


Tally and Nr. Barton Contestants
for Pictures of Racing Scenes
One of the most noteworthy auction
sales that have occurred within the DIS
trict of Columbia for a number OF years
was begun at IL o'clock yesterday morn
ing. when the personal property of the
late John Chamberlin. for years the popu
lar and widely known proprietor of the
Chamberlin Hotel and restaurant, Fiji
teenth and | Streets northwest in this
city, was placed upon the block and dis
posed of to personal friends of the former
owner or to spectators. Perhaps the
most interesting and historical articles
in the inventory offered for public sale
were 200 or more photographs of promi-
nent statesmen, actors. and business men,
together with more than 100 steel engrav-
ings depicting famous race scenes on for
eign tracks
Chamberlin was an intimate friend of
many statesmen who have sat in the halls
of Congress during the past thirty or
forty years After his death, nearly three
years ago, the old brown mansion on the
corner Of l and Fifteenth Streets, whose
parlors and eating rooms were well pat
ronized in years previous, took on an ap-
along for some time the doors of the
hostelry were finally closed to the public
for the first time in period of more
than thirty years. and "Chamberlin's'
was no more.
John Chamberlin possessed the finest
collection of photographs and autographs
of public men in the country. These pic
lures, which for years had adorned the
walls in the various rooms. were yester-
day removed from their positions and put
on the block Among the number were
life-lke portraits of statesmen veterans,
actors, and famous sporting men, each
a silent witness to many n merry feast.
The auction was in charge Of Sloan &
Co. No time was lost in disposing of the
goods on hand. The bids made for the
pictures. accompanied by the autographs
Of their givers. were ridiculous. Pictures
and autographs OF men occupying promi-
nent positions in the history of this coun-
try, such as Roscoe Conkling. Charles F.
Crisp. Don Cameron. Thomas p. Ochil-
tree. Col Henry Watterson, Gen. Philip
Sheridan, Gen. w T. Sherman, L. $.
Grant, President Arthur. John II. Nit
chell. Senator Vest, Amos Cummings. ".
G. Gresham Don Dickinson. Secretary
Herbert, Cen N. c. Butler Gen. Andrew
Jackson, Larry Jerome, Joseph c. S.
Blackburn. ]. G. Carlisle. General Scho-
field, and a score of others. were sold for
the Insignificant sums of from so cents
to 81.
The four prominent bidders for the col
lection were Mr.. Talty. manager of the
Raleigh Hotel, a close friend of the late
John Chamberiin; Mr.. Barton, Of the
hostelry on Fifteenth Street that bears
Stevens. President of the West End Ma
tionaI Bank There was no spirit to the
bidding except when the four gentlemen
mentioned desired certain picture, price
less because of the memory attached by
it to their late friend At such times
the prices would go soaring.
Mr.. Barton succeeded in buying the
autograph pictures of nearly all of the
famous actors contained in the collection.
including those of Billy" Florence. Ed
win Booth, Hallet Kilhourn, William H.
Crane, and John McCuiIJygh.
After having disposed of all of the
autograph portraits. Aucttoneer loan
put on the block over hundred pictures
depicting racing scenes, Of which sport
John Chamberlin had become an ardent
devotee, to his cost. Such sporting prints
as Courses de Bade," Returning to
Weigh, ''Steeplec,Ils Cracks" and
'Sadding, ali by Harris; Victory Of
Gladiator Paris. 1850 and Grand
steeple Cracks by, Barry; coaching
scenes. Up Hhl' and Down Hill" also
by Barry. brought exceedingly low prices,
ranging from = I'D 20 SIS. The majority
Of these were secured by Mr.. Barton and
Mr. Tally. There was next offered tor
sale a magnificent series of pictures Of
all the Derby winners from the year 1850
up to 1875. These pictures we're divided
among 4ir. Barton and Mr.. Tally. both Of
whom were anxious to secure as many
of them possible.
1t was while these articles were being
sold that the bidding became anima ted.
a picture Of Merry Hampton, the winner
Of the Derby in 1881. was placed on the
block. and its price was advanced at a
jump by Mr.. Barton. Mr.. Tally. however,
raised the bid consistently. until the price
contest. and the picture was knocked
down to NJ Barton. Mr.. Barton eX-
planned TO u Times reporter why he had
been so anxious to secure that one pic
ture
In the year of 81" ht. said, Il was in
London during the Queens jubilee act
ing as manager for Mrs. BrOwn-Potter,
who was playing an engagement at one
Of the theatres. Merry Hampton. whose
picture | Just purchased. was entered for
the Derby on that day. / went to the
course and. securing odds at % to l. laid
down a neat pile On her. She romped in
away ahead Of the bunch, bringing in
a little over $500. | remembered II the
minute the pictJ r. was put up FOR sale.
and | thought it only proper that | should
lay out a little Of that money on purchas-
ing the splendid mares picture"
As this concluded the most interesting
part of the auction. the buyers thinRed
cut. AuctiOneer Slcan then proceeded to
sell out The rest of the furniture IN the
house. finishing the work shortly after
O'Clock The prices for cut glasses. linen.
4 Eles. chairs. mattings, ornaments. We're
said to be exceedingly good. and tOmOr-
row nothing remains but to dispose of
the articles contained in the annex. One
OF the NEST interesting and historical auc-
tions held In this city will then have been