The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-22
COLLECTORS STRANGE METHODS
Petty Thefts to Which Some Mems
Hobbies Have Led Them.

From London Tit-Bits
The excuse offered by a man who Il
few days ago was arrested for break
ing into house in Berlin was that he
was DESTROYS of possessing pair of
shoes belonging to celebrated Rus
sian lady pianist who was on visit
there That he spoke the truth was
borne out by the fact that on his room
being searched collection of women's
shoes carefully docketed and cata-
logued was discovered.
A year or so ago Paris lost a we'll
known character in Andre Sails, nick
named Bib la Pauree. His mania was
umbrella collecting, to crafty which
he would proceed to any length. Let
one instance suffice. On the occasion
of Verlaine's funeral Sails, who was
among the most distressed OF the
mouruers, noticed a stack OF umbrel-
las leaning against tree. Resistance
was beyond his power. He dried his
eyes, slipped unperceived away and
hurriedly left the cemetery-w the
umbrellas.
M. Loubet. the French ex-President,
was on one occasion victimized by an
Englishman, who contrived to possess
himself of that gentleman's umbrella,
which he was DESTROYS OF adding to
collection of ginghams that he was
forming. The jealous collector was,
however, promptly arrested, to be re-
leased shortly afterward by order of
the President, who graciously present
ed him with the object of his desire.
A hobby for collecting celebrities
hats is harmless enough when con-
Quoted by legitimate means, and many
characteristic specimen of headgear
fell to Jules Durrier through the in
strumentality of servants and second
hand clothes dealers ere his pursuit
developed into a species OF klepto-
mania, under the influence of which
no ones hat that had once passed I'M
der his observation was safe. For
while he continued undetected to add
to his collection, but was at length
caught leaving the house Of M. Theirs
with that politicians hat in his hand
The investigation that followed re-
yealed the limited extent of his pecu-
lations, and he was released with q
caution.
In April of 1903 man was arrested
on the Boulevard Montmartre, Paris,
for cutting a bunch of ribbons from
lady's dress. On search being made
at his house a large collection of rib.
bons was discovered, and it subse-
quently transpired that he never went
abroad without a pair of scissors with
which to operate on ladies' dresses.
On his agreeing to compensate the
complainant he was discharged
Some years back respectable law
yer was seized with q mania for col
lecting celebrities coat buttons, to OBJ
tain which he not only brlbed their
Wallets. but carried with him a sharp
knife, armed with which he was wont
to track down the coveted prize. On
more than one occasion, however his
ardor placed him In awkward posi-
lions. as when he was detected by the
late John Bright in the act of operat-
ing on his coat.
Because in the autumn of 1890 he
had been robbed of his purse while on
a visit to the Eiffel Tower merchant
Of Nantes took the extraordinary re-
solve to indemnify himself for his loss
by sealing every model Of the edifce
on which he had been despoiled that
he could come across. More than fifty
models had he obtained in this manner
in little more than three months.
when misfortune and the law overlook
him and he was arrested in the act OF
walking OFF with his specially from a
shop on the Boulevard Voltaire. His
collection, which was stored away in
boxes and cupboards, was subsequent
" disbursed. and the miniature Eiffel
towers returned to their owners.