Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1908-06-22

a
know not what" as the French say.
that bafied the keen critics. Round
all six appeared to hover a curious
kinship. certain peculiarities Of touch
and coloring. las IT," in the words OF
a Paris dealer. Turner had worked on
Constable's pictures and Constable on
Turner'S"
The faces OF the experts were droll
study as their first admiration gave
place to helpless bewilderment. One
or two they might have swallowed. but
six Before long a viennese artist
made himself heard above the Eubbub
by pointing out that the pictures were
largely painted with very modern pig
ments - fashionable, newly invented
colors unknown In the days of Turner
and Constable. The excitement grew
greater. This was surely an unlucky
slip If the collection were forgeries.
There was yet another test, however.
"A cunning Venetian dealer years pre-
viously had given the art world a hint
IN testing an authentic example Of
Guardi He would take a pin and try
to stick it into the latest and most
unctuously pasted part Of the picture
IF It sticks In" the dealer said, ut
is new paint but try it on a real
Guard. and you might as well try to
force pin into q china plate" The
moment that hint was remembered Il
was acted upon. One of the Constr.
bles was tested and proved to be a
verltable pincushion.
The authorities of Christie's at once
closed their doors and posted notice
abandoning the sale.
The history Of the forgeries leaked
out afterward. They had belonged to
a rich and eccentric collector. Joseph
elliott, a millionaire manufacturer OF
steel pens Of Birmingham. who after
ward left the London Natiohal gallery
q 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 direc-
ton by a needy but exceedingly clever
artist and then sold to the aged and
credulous amateur for 100000. When
later some doubts were cast upon their
genuineness elliott was greatly trou-
bled and resolved to give them the pub
lie test OF auction at Christie's. After
the dramatic fiasco their owner con.
temptuously packed them of into q
warehouse. which three months later
was burned to the ground, and then
strangely enough. it 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 a penny the
loser.
But there have not been half a dozen
such cases at Christie's during a cen
fury of sales.
And. by the way. Just inside the su
perb pilared portico on King street
St. James, one win see a picture OF
the courtly old dandy. Christie himself
tall and distinguished, in silk knee
breeches. with low shoes and buckles
blue silk coat and delicate lace runies
with full wig and horn spectacles, as
be1tted his association with aristo
cratic cognoscent-
Chesterfield was his patron then, al
he had been DR.. Jchnson's. The grea
arbiter Of elegance. although retired
from public life. was renowned all owe
Europe as n connoisseur. and when ole
Christie pleaded with him to lend hi
aegis to a great sale the stately coacl
and six emblazoned with the Chester
field arms would soon be at the door
The rooms were then in Pail Mall
Liveried servants cleared a way 70
Chesterfield and escorted him to I
thronelilSe sedt on a dais. where a no,
OF commentator might be seen o
all and have its due effect on the bids
The French revolution was the IL
wind that blew fortune toward Chris
ties. In 1892 many fugitives iron
France, Italy and Holland made thei
way to London and on arrival founl
their fight had been so precipitate tina
they were actually embarrassed 70
ready money. And that meant a sal
OF pictures and curios, furniture. jew
els lillCs II was III ILLS way lAh
the British aristocracy became pos
sessed of some of the loveliest work
Of art the world holds.
During the London season, froI
April to the end of June, Christie
palatial staircase and salons ar
thronged with men and women of ran
and fashion from half a dozen nationl
In 1893 the old place was PRACTICAL
rebuilt both inside and out. The priI
cipal sales room. lofty and elegant o.
tagonal apartment, is a copy of on
built in the Adelphi by Adam. An
! the auctioneer's rostrum is one he use
, over a century and a half ago in th
old rooms. In itself a work of art {
. great value. it is a superb specimen {
!, Chippendale's own work.
= The old Christie family has quit
/. died out of the house. which at preseI
q is run by men of high social rank an
vast experience. Sales are held thrC
or four times a week. From the earl