Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1903-11-20
Revolution In American Taste shown
In Homes of Wealthy New York.
ers-Fsbalous Prices for
Tnpestrics.

1T Is q sign OF the times that contrac-
tors in New York are building houses in
recent years to sell to chancc customers
At prices ranging as high as from $780,
900 to $500, 900" says Ralph ID. Paine in
Worlds Work. In no other city or time
would contractors dare TO build houses
for the general market, hoping to sell
them for more than 100000: but
whereas n half century 6 the furnish
Ing OF the wealthiest homes was charac-
teriZed by monstrous ugliness a single
generation has seen n revolution In
American taste. Even until a decade
ago the acquisition Of costly collections
in art was confined to paintings, and the
ruling -0irit was TO get the most display
Tor the greatest outlay with n few nota-
bic exceptions. Little by little a group
OF millionaiTes found time n inclina-
ton to appreciate or TO value porcclains.
rugs. tapestries and gems. II is common
FOR a plutocrat Of this era to spend
VI 1000, 900 In furnishing his home, and
the ablest experts sell their services to
Insure the highest standard OF taste.
An American millionaire paid 1900
900 for three tapestries to 1T q wall In
his newly erected palace. Another set
II three pieces OF tapestry was sold for
100000 to adorn an American home
The wife Of another American paid
$4,000 for a set OF furniture not long
ago. and there were only four pieces.
Iheir value was In the tapestry uphoI-
stering. In n shop In Paris there are
three panels OF tapestry for which SlOO.-
900 each Is asked. The dealer has nm
agent In this country. who Is confident
OF finding n purchalsr rs soon as he
hnds the millionaire who wants costly
tapestries. At the sale Of the Marouand
collection last winter Il rug was sold for
*3S.OOO. II 10 supposed TO have been
bought by n dealer who will hold II I'M
I'll he finds a purchaser willing TO nav
$4,000 or even $1,000 for the treasure
Senator Clark, OF Montana. has n col
lection Of rugs amoEE the furnIshInra
OF his home for which he rais at lowest
estimate $3.50, 900. transformations Phil
adelphia can furnish n list of 81. 600. 600
worth OF paintings In rs frames hanging
In the private galleries OF her million
alre collectors.
I'm Fifth avenue there are perhap, n
dozen i~nconspicuous shops which dcal
almost exclusively with the very rich.
In" owner OF or OF these said recently:
There are not more thar $50 men I'm
the United States whom | can fairly
class ms possible customers OF mine. n
| can get W OF them ms regular cuE-
toners | will ask no other patronage.
II Is true that some m%illlonaircs buy
That they may shine In the reflected
glory OF their treasures. And as n class
they nave come to- recognize the fact
thnt there is no safer investment from
a business standpoint than fine paint
lnEs. rugs. tapestries, purcoIaIns md
antiques In general when picked by OK
pcrts. They buy on a risIng market. for
the demands OF American luxury are e1-
hausting the treasure O: the old world.
IL Is n business estimate Tat any collcc-
ton wisely chosen and rot bought for
eItortIonate figures will increase I'm
value at m average rate Of four Dor cent.
n year. or the interest on tho invest
mont. II Is still characteristic OF many
wealthy Americans tina. small objects.
even III they be priceless from the coli
lcctOrs viewpoint. are not bought for
their own sake. because they cannot be
displayed with impressive effect. This
includes antique colLs. medals, cary
inEs. small tapestries ond laccs.'
This Ia not wholly true OF precIous
stones. for the American demand Inns
raised prices In the worlds market for
certain Kinds OF gems. &C Of the lead
Ing gem collectors OF this country, who |
buys to sell again. has sold to one man
IN Boston more than 81 900. 900 worth OF
preclons stones, treasures that are |
never seen outside his " home. For |
n single ruby $4,000 has been paid by
nm American collector. and a dealer who !
nslcd $4,000 for another raby found A
p~nrchnStr In New YOri. In less than
ten years the increase IN the value M
diamonds and other prS,'nus stones i'm
''i 10 no Ufii't ~','ts has bctp