The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-05-08

B
to stick II into the fattest and mos
uuctuously pasted part OF the plctur,
"if II sticks In" the dealer said, "
Is new paint bu. try II on a rcu
I'uardi aud you might as well try
force a pin into a china plate" I'll
moment that hint was remembered
was acted upon. One OF tho Consta
bles was tested and proved to be
veritable pincushion.
The authorities OF Christles az ono
closed their doors and posted n motto,
abandoning the sale
The history Of the forgerIes leake,
out afterward, They had belonged I,
a rich and eccentric collector. JOSEPH
elliott, a millionaire manufacturer OF
steel pens OF Birmingham, who after
ward left the London National CALLER,
magnificent series Of real treasures
In his latter years, however, the old
man had fallen into the clutches OF an
INSCRIPTIONS dealer whose exploits
had long been notorious. Both the
Turner's and the Constables had been
manufactured under this mans dlrec.
tion by n needy but exceedingly clever
artist and then sold to the aged and
credulous amateur for $500.0OO. When
later some doubts were cast upon their
senuineness elliott was greatly trou.
bled and resolved to give them the pub.
lic test OF auction at Christie's. After
the dramatic tlasco their owner con
temptaously packed them off into
warehouse, which three months later
was burned to the ground. and then.
strangely enough, II turned out that
elliott had insured his masterpieces"
for the entire sum he had paid for
them. so by curious turn OF the wheel
OF fortune he was not penny the
loser
But there have not been half dozen
such cases Mt Chrlstie's during cen.
tury of sales.
And, by the way. Just inside the su
perb plllared portlco on King street.
st, James, one will see picture of
the courtly old dandy. Christie himself
tall and distinguished. In silk knee
hreeches. with low shoes and buckles,
blue silk coat and delicate lace rufiies,
With full wig aud horn spectacles, as
Jeiitted his association with arlsto.
'ratlc cognoscentl
Chesterfield was his patron then, us
le had been DR.. Johnsons The great |
lrbiter Of elegance, although retired
rom public life, was renowned all over I
europe as connoisseur. and when old
,hristie pleaded with him to lend his
egis to great sale the stately coach
nd six emblazoned with the Chester
eld arms would soon be at the door
he rooms were then In Pail Mall. 4
.iveried servants cleared n way for
chesterfield and escorted him to
hroneiike seat on dals. where d nod
I commendatlon might be seen OF Il
II and have It's due effect on the bids
The French revolution was the m
rind that blew fortune toward Chris.
les. In 1892 many fugltives from
rance. Italy and Holland made their
ray to London and on arrival found
heir flight had been so precipitate that
hey were actually embarrassed for
lady money And that meant sale
pictures and curlos furniture, lew
$ and plate, 1t was In this way that
ie British arlStocracy became pos
'ssed Of some Of the loveliest works
art the world holds.
During the London season, from
pril to the end Of June, Chrlstle's
tlatial staircase and salons are
ronged with men and women of rank
I'd fashion from half a dozen nations.
1893 the old place was practically
built both inside and out. The prln.
pal sales room, a lofty and elegant oc.
gonal apartment, Is copy Of one
Iilt In the Adelphi by Adam. And
c auctioneer's rostrum Is one he used
er a century and half ago In the
rooms. In itself work Of art of '
eat value, 1t is superb specimen of :
own work.
The old Christie family has quite 4
ID out of the house. which at present
run by men Of high social rank and
st experience. Sales are held three
four times week. From the earIi.
days Saturday has been reserved
great pictures. Viewing the gal.
les before a sale begins one will see
ding men in statecraft and society,
noes and princesses Of royal blood.
rchants of great wealth and influ-
'e and visiting Americans as well as
'nts acting for cultured countrymen. --
ZACH sale furnishes some little ro-
nee OF the art world. Every picture
ms to have history. Here. hung
a grand light In the big salon, ia y
Family OF Darius" which Paul z
'onese painted during his GONZALES
ce from an illness in an Italian villa z
left behind as graceful token OF !
ors and kindnesses received from Z
host More than $8S,000 was paid )
this picture in Christie's rooms one z
urday afternoon as 1t hung in the
st Of other paintings from ancient Z
ntry houses and faded palaces Of
~ lands. 2
ne wonders whether the shades of