The Washington herald., 1907-05-25

Washington's "lc0'' was out in force at
effects OF the late Frank r. Stockton
the author. Sloans Gallery, on G street,
was crowded morning and afternoon with
prominent society folk Of this and other
cities. The sale was advertised all over
the East. and many dealers in curios
and antiques from Baltimore, Philadel-
phia, and New York attended the sale
Rare old pieces OF mahogany furniture,
valuable books, ard works Of art. rare
china, curios. pipes and bric-a-brac were
solo at astonishing figures. The bidding
was light, it was said owing to the late
ness Of the season.
An original edition Of Boydelrs Shakes
peare" induced spirited bidding. A dinner
set Of Royal seyres porcelain. each piece
decorated with gold medallions in cream
centers. bordered in dark blue shading
to light, relieved by gold arabesque
scrolls. also attracted wide attention. This
set is a unique one. and It is said was
purchased at the Duranton sale at tho
Hotel Druot. Paris. 1t was valued at
$500
Bidding Not Very Lively.
The auction room was crowded with
prominent society men and women when
the second sale Of the day was opened
at O'Clock The bidding was generally
dull except when one of the many things
Of particular rarity was put up, when
purchasers We'd with each other in snap
ping Of fingers and otherwise attracting
the attention Of the auctioneer.
Everything was conducted In a dull
monotone that was never varied. Look
at this piece. This is one Of the hand
soonest ever sold here, ladies and gentle
men. Something that tt is impossible %
purchase in the market to-day. What
am I offered now? What is it? Fifty,
forty. thirty. twenty-five. twenty. ten
Start il, gentlemen" This, in SO rapid a
tone that no one has time TO draw a
breath, was the opening on each cata-
logued number.
1T is worth S-5. ladies and gentlemen.
What am / offered? Ten-ten-teu; who'll
make it fifteen? Going at ffteen-6f-
teen 1 am offered. fifteen I am offered.
Gentleman over thera-sixteeu. Did I hear
sixteen This is an outrage, ladies and
gentlemen. Look at It. Hold 10 up. so il
can he seen. Sixteen. slxteeu-seveuteen-
eighteen over there Am ] offered nine
teen. nineteen. nineteen? Who'll make il
twenty? Twenty, twenty-going az twenty;
going at twenty-frst, second. and last
time. VIII you make il tweuty-0ue? Sold
% the lady over there for twenty
NotabIes Mt the Bidding.
To the spectator it seemed as if the
bidding was done by mutual consent or
some unknown signal, but upon close OBJ
servation. it could he seen that the mere
raising Of the hand. or the snap Of a
dalutlIy gl0ved finger caught the imme-
d.ate attention OF the eagie-eyed
auctioneer and the offer was changed 10
the next highest figure named by him.
After the crack Of the hammer a uniform
ed page, whose eye was as sharp as that
Of the aucuoncer would get the highest
bidders card and take 1t to the clerk
who noted the sale.
It IS not known what the total Of the
sale aggregated, but it was said that it
probably would not run much over &l0po1.
". s. Stockton, OF Philadelphia, q
brother Of the author. was among the
purchasers. as was Mrs. Admiral Dewey,
Senator Lodge, Mrs. Foraker. Mrs Noble,
Miss Wells. Mrs. A. G. Barney, Mrs
Huff. Admiral Kenney. Admiral Endicott,
Col. Mann. Senator MandersDn, Capt.
Wigmore Col. Goodloe, Mrs Toureee.
Gov. kellogg, John B. L0omis. Mrs.
Sarah g. Waters, Mrs. c. J. Train, DR..
Crichtou, and Prot Gallaudet