New-York tribune., 1902-07-03

The other case occurred in a town further
north. In a small curiosity shop presided over
by lady the dealer noticed a pair of Chelsea
Derby figures in more or less damaged condition.
asked the price and was requested to name the
amount he would give This he declined to do.
as he could hardly be expected to act the parts
of buyer and seller. The owner then frankly
stated that she had read of the high prices
Lord Thynnes china realized at Chrlstles ;. ana
as her figures were real old Chelsea" she did
not know what to ask. being afraid of selling
them too Cheaply. Now some of the pieces
of Chelsea china referred to ran into four fig
ureS. understand how an inexperienced
person is misled into rating quite ordinary speCi-
mems above their value. The writer's friend at
tempted TO explain that her pieces were not
Chelsea, but Chelsea-Derby, and the difference
between them and the pieces sold; but, as usual
in such cases, his explanations met with
thinly yelled disbelief. Eventually firm offer
of t4 was made. and received with contempt;
and, prompted by a desire to see to what
lengths ignorance and cupidity would go, he
produced gold and notes and gradually rose to
f1O, t20, until actually the of f120 was
offered and refused. No said the good lady;
IF you Will give that they worth more"
Then she declared her intention of taking them
TO London the next time there was an eXcur-
sion and comparing them with those exhibited
III South Kensngton Museum.
The writer does not agree with his friends
method in this matter. Although to meet with
this sort of experience is certainly annoying, it
does one no good to bolster up expectations of
value that may eventually a great deal
of HARM Many misguided enthusiasts stupidity
set their hearts upon some object possessed by
wishing to part with their household god. refuse
perhaps a liberal Offer which, a tempting
bait is increased and increased beyond all rea-
son. and still refused: then, when an evil day
comes and the money IS really wanted the
treasure looked upon always worth so much
cash is found to be unstable, and vexation and
heartburning and family quarrels result, for in
the majority of such cases it is the woman who
loves the family treasures, and has prevented
their dispersal.
Two years ago the writer noted an instance
Of this kind of folly while strolling through a
village in Cumberland. Calling at the principal
inn and being invited TO sit in the parlor
he saw hanging upon the wall three mezzotint
engravings. They were dirty, damaged, and had
been "cut down." but II properly cleaned and
framed would be worth some f12 Referring
to the prints in conversation, the landlord said
that a neighboring squire had offered as much
as $50 for them; and upon inquiry this state
ment was found to be true. one Of the gentle
mans daughters with a taste for old things
having persuaded her father that they were
worth that amount. Unfortunately for the land
lords heirs, the old man declared that they
should never be sold during his lifetime. evil
IDENTIFY thinking they would always be worth the
amount named. Let US hope that they will not
be left as nest egg for Of his own pretty
daughters. In cases of this sort one should not
attempt to purchase, for it is quite hopeless to
combat the ignorance and prejudice of some of
the people who hold these old goods: their ideas
have been fostered by tourists and others as ig-
norant of values as themselves.