The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-18

of Massachusetts, and came from tho press of Matthew Day Cambridge, with the date 1643. It was found in private library.
 There are several interesting private col lectlons of armor In the United States and this is a profitable field though an ex- pert must usually be employed to tell the luckless buyer whether the bargains are the real thing or clever limitations. The choicest collection in this country and &C., cordlng to European connoisseurs the fin est in the world, Is that in the Metropoli- tan Museum in New York. There are 400 objects in all running almost the entire length of mediaeval history It was the result of a fad of the late Duke de Dino of France placed by his son at Chrisdes g in London, for sale, and purchased by the museum from the funds of the Rogers be- quest. Among other things 1t contains three ivory saddles. Only too often 1t is American purchasers that cause the rise in prices. England thought Gainesbor- oughs "Georgiana, Duchess of Devon shire" brought a stiff price when 1t changed hands for 1O,l00 guineas but when Pierpont Morgan came that way, fancied it, and cheerfully put up 3O,O00 guineas for it, they realized what profit might accrue to them from other paintings they might have.
 For years Americans made collections of European painters work only. Then w. T. Evans started the first collection of American artists work, the first painting he procured being Winslow Homers Sun day Morning in Virginia" Ur. Alexander Humphreys soon made a good collection of American work, and in 1872 Thomas B. Clark began collecting the canvass of Wyant, Homer Martin, George Inness, Winslaw Homer and others Sammuel Shaw's famous collection was made up of the winners of the Shaw prize In the ex- hlbits of the Society of American Artists All these have proved valuable. The Huntington collection of portraits, engray- ings medals and statuary that has been given the Metropolitan Museum was col lected for pleasure only, and then placed where the public could always enjoy It.
 China collecting is a profitable fad. parts of Idncolns specially ordered red and white set bring fabulous sums. Other good sellers are the "Dr Syntax" plates, reproduction of illustrations In a book de- voted to the adventures of one of Dr. Syn tax being the decorations. The famousu tulip or "dullaban" china of the Penn sylvania Dutch Is valuable, despite it's crudity. and any bit of china bearing the face of Washington or LaFayette, with the date of their time, commands a good sum. If the piece was used at Mount Yer non at any time it's price Is almost dou- bled.
 Dealers in old furniture are making the biggest profits at present. Secondhand stores in many southern cities offer rich fields for connoisseurs In this line, as do the remote farm houses of the east, where knowledge of the fad has not yet come. One North Carolina woman, finding an old clock in her way, sold 1t to q travelling collector for $5. The lucky purchaser sold 1t in Charlotte that evening for $100. Tes- ter-top mahogany bedsteads go into col lectors' hands at ridiculous figures like two or three dollars, while consol tables, chests of drawers, spindle-legged chairs and quaint dressing tables are picked up for a song. Stamp, cameo, jewel and coin collectors have a good business. while the men and women who go In for odds and ends. such as playing-cards, samplers, bric-a-brac and needlework, have more than remuneration for their efforts.
 Tomorrow-Growth of the Sunday School.