Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-29

Bv w. G. FITZGERALD

but six Before long Viennese artist made himself
heard above the hubbub by pointing out that the
pictures were largely painted with very modern
pigments fashionable, newly invented colors I'M
known in the days of Turner and Constable. The
excitement grew greater. This was surely an I'M
lucky slip if the collection were torgeres
There yet another test however. y cunning
Venetian dealer years previously had given the art
world hint in testing an authentic example Of
Guardl. He would take pin and try to stick It
into the latest and most unctuously pasted part OF
the picture " If it sticks IN, the dealer SAID, It
Is new paint: but try It on a real Guard and you
might as we'll try to force pin into China plate
The moment that hint was remembered 1t was acted
upon One of the ConstableS tested-ani
proved TO be Verltabe pin cushion.
The authorities of ChriStles at once closed thei1
doors and posted notice abandoning the sale
The history of the fOrgerles leaked out atterWar1
They had belonged to a rich and eccentric collector.
Joseph elliott. millionaire manufacturer OF steel
pens of birmingham. who atterward lett the London
National Gallery magnificent series OF real treas
In his latter years, however the old man had
fallen the clutches of INSCRIPTIONS dealer
whose exploits had long been notorious Both the
Turner's and the Constables had been manufactured
under this mans direction by needy but exceed
ingly clever artist. and then sold to the aged and
credulous amateur for half million dollars. When
later some doubts were cast upon their genunenesS
elliott greatly troubled. and resolved to give
them the public test of auction at Christie After
the dramatic fiasCo their owner Contemptuously
packed them off into a warehouse. which three
months later was burned to the ground and then.
strangely enough, it turned out that elliott had IN
paid for them. SO by curious turn OF the wheel Of
fortune he vas not penny the loser.
Many Experts Caught
RUT there nave not been half dozen such cases at
- Christie during century of sales. And who shall
De altogether exempt from fraud in the domain of art
1t was only the other day that Sir Edward Poyn-
ter President of the British Royal Academy bought
with Government money for the National Gallery
IN London a bogus Perugino: and some may re-
member the authorities of the Louvre paving a
million francs for the called Tiara of Saltapher
mes which turned have been fraudulent
copy by a Russian goldsmith of Odessa, who later
came forward and confessed the forgery.
Who can be certain of his purchase indeed, when
Micheangelo himself stopped to deception, chipping
and burying his Child Hercules, and digging it up
later to sell it as an antique enhanced price
to Cardinal Riario. who cared for nothing new
But far may be possible the pedigree of all
articles offered is known and guaranteed at Chris
ties, as the founder wished it to be.
And by the way Just inside the superb plared
portico on King-st St Jamess. will picture
of the courtly old dandy himself,-tall and distln-
gushed in silk knee brooches with low shoes and
buckles. blue silk coat and delicate lace rutt1eS,
with full wig and horn spectacles, as behtted his
association with arstocratc Cognoscentl.
Chesterfield was his patron then. as he had been
DR.. Tohnsons The great arbter of elegance, al
though retired from public life. was renowned all
over Europe a connoisseur. and when old Christie
pleaded with him to lend his agls to great sale, the
stately coach and SIX emblazoned with the Chester
field arms, would soon be at the door. The rooms