The Washington herald., 1908-03-01
EDITION De LUXE OUT
j. ?. MOrgan's Catalogue Is
a Wonderful Book.
VOLUMES OF MASTERPIECES
superb Collection of Miniatures of
American millionaire Described by
DIR. Williamson Three Volumes
COmpletcd-Many ROmnnceS Con-
nected with the Pictures.

London, Feb. 29.-The wonders OF ].
Pierpont Morsan's catalogue to his IA
nous collection OF miniatures have
aroused so much interest and been so er-
roneousIy described that DR.. Williamson.
who has the entire work in hand. has
consented 10 supply some definite nf0r-
nation.
The title Of the catalogue Is almost mis-
leading The volumes are the most ornate
and elaborate OF the century. illustrated
by paintings by skilled artists. silver
mounted. and adorned and embellished in
costly fashion. Mr.. Morgans desire is
for the best possible work without re-
gard TO expense, and the best possible
work IS being done
The catalogue is being prepared in three
editions. The first. consisting OF $50 copies
only. is printed on the finest handmade
paper and illustrated with numerous
photogravure plates. the latter being
printed on japanese vellum. This is the
ordinary edition. and is half-bound IN
brown morocco.
An Edition de Luxe.
The second. the edition de luxe. is
wholly printed on japanese velIum. care
fully selected, and with photogravure
plates similar TO those in the ordinary
edition, but in addition 20 them a series
Of hand-colored illustrations. representing
the finest miniatures in the collection.
This edition is whole-bound in green mo-
rocco. and has doublures OF the same
leather. richly fooled, inclosing centers Of
green watered silk. and faced with pages
Of the same material Forty copies only
OF this edition de luxe are being prepared.
and the hand-colored illustrations are
surrounded by pale-tinted borders.
The third specially sumptuous edition is
known as the royal edition De luxe. and
/ IS wholly on the very finest pure vellum.
In this edition. which Is limited 10 twenty
copies. not only the letter-press. but the
photographers and the color plates. are all
upon pure white vellum, every page Of
which has been specially made, and the
volumes are bound in the same material
The copies Of the royal edition de luxe
are each mounted IN silver. having corner
plates. central ornaments. and clasps in
silver. specially designed.
Three Volumes Completed.
In Volume 1 are miniatures by Oliver.
HOskins, and Crosse, at the beginning.
and at the end a copy of the famous pic
ture by Peter Oliver representing the
Holy Family and St Catharine. after a
| lost original which was once IN the pos
session Of Charles l. Volume II has SINH
lar miniatures by Cosway and Plimer. the
portrait at the end Of the book Of two
sisters. by Andrew Pllmer. being q spe-
cially beautiful work OF that master
In Volume III the miniatures are by
1 -1f oil -
one at the end OF the book by DrOuais.
an extraordinary group representing
| Charles Y and his sister. the Queen Of
Sardinia. Each volume possesses book
markers with silver mounts, correspond
| ing in character 10 the mounts on the
volumes.
| OF the entire work three volumes have
already been completed and bound The
/ fourth volume Is practically completed. as
the printers are now engaged in finishing
the last sheets. and II is expected to be
in Mr.. Morgan's hands early in the spring.
/ The special feature. of course, OF these
remarkable volumes is the presence In
them of hand-colored reproductions of the
finest miniatures. These illustrations have
never yet been equaled. and It is believed
they can never be surpassed. Nearly
/ forty artists. specially trained for the
purpose. have been at work at them for
very long time
There is n frontispiece 10 each volume.
and very special pains have been taken
TO render these peculiarly attractive.
! That to Volume ! represents the wonder
ful jewel presented by Queen Elizabeth
after the defeat OF the Armada TO one
| Of her statesmen. and believed TO be the
gift which the Queen IS known to nave
presented 10 Sir Francis Walsingham.
The page representing this rare and
precious object is. perhaps. one Of the
NEST beautiful in the entire series
Masterpiece in n Dolls House.
There are many romances belonging TO
these miniatures. In one case a portrait
was purposely hidden away behind the
paneling of an old house IN Scotland: an
ether was thrown out of "a window when
the Tuileries was attacked. and for some
years it formed part OF the decoration of
a dolls house, but at last was recognized
as an important work of art. and It's
whole history has now been revealed
while the miniature by Rossetti. was found
in the possession Of the daughter Of Mrs.