New-York tribune., 1909-11-29
KINGS ARMoRER NOW HERE.

Guy Lsking. who is now in this country
visiting American art collections is not only
the Keeper Of the Kings Armory and
valued member Of his household. but also
a member OF the firm OF Christie, which
enjoys international fame as having un-
dertaken the sale by auction OF all the most
celebrated collections Of art that have come
into the market in the last fifty years or
more. His academic career was not sue
cess. for Il Is on record that he was
Quested 10 leave Westminster School at the
age of sixteen. owing To his inveterate
habit of truancy. But II he absented him
SELF from his studies. il was in order 10
frequent the salesTOoms OF Christie. which
exercised an irresistible fascination over the
sixteen-y year-old boy. In fact. his pres
enoe was noted by members Of the firm, and
al length they asked whether he would
care 10 take service with them. The boy
was over5oyed. and at once expressed his
willingness. The next day his father vis-
tied the firm. and the necessary arrange
ments were completed.
Young Laking's rise was rapid II a
very few years he was appointed the expert
~ the firm. a most responsible position
and one requiring endless knowledge Of art.
artists and periods There is not a museum
In Europe with which he is not Intimately
acquainted and be knows the contents -
most private collections better than the col
lectors themselves To this knowledge Uf
European collections he Is now adding an
equally intimate acquaintance with the best
collections ii this country, and II Is doubt
ful whether. with the exception Of Dr. Val
entina. the curator OF the art collections
0f the Metropolitan Art Museum IN New
York. who received his training under DR.
Bode al Berlin. there Is a. present any one
in America better qualified 70 undertake
The task. T. is said that Guy Laking in
tends 20 embody the information which he
has obtained about the public and private
ar collections IN America m book, which
viii prove interesting reading: for Euro
pean experts are united in declaring that he
Is rhe one man who is always right The
Queen never purchases even the most trivial
arr object without consulting him. and he
- constantly called IN 10 advise the King.
He prepared the catalogue for the Wallace
collection al HEREFORD House and was
called IN after the Kings accession 70 value
IA, late Queen Nictoria's private collec-
lions. A. well the art treasures OF the
crown a. Windsor and AT Buckingham Pal
ace.
Although he is known as the Keeper ot
the Kings Ar1nory. yet his knowledge OF
art extends 10 porcelain. furniture. tapes
try. in fact every branch OF art and his
volumes on the furniture a. Windsor and
ou tle Sevres porcelain al Buckingham Pal
ace are known throughout the art world
He has an official residence IN ~. James
Palace. is married 20 q daughter Of Charles
Mylne Barker and is heir 20 the baronetcy
OF his father Sir Francis Laking. the prin-
cipai physician 10 the King.
sly Francis first came 70 the fore through
his attendance on rhe present Prince 81
Wales Al the time when he was overtakeu
by that illness which carried OF his elder
brother, and the royal family OF England
attribute the preservation Of the princes
life as well as the strength and vigor
which Queen Victoria enjoyed in her later
years. 70 the care and skill Of sir Francis
With regard 10 the Office Of Kings Ar
uorer. held by Guy Laking IL is a very an
c.ent one. and IN the reign Of King Henry
VII IT was held by Sir Thomas wollner
j. those days its duties We're limited 70
looking after the sovereign's hardware
habiIiments. To-day its duties are more
Elult.fariOus. since, as I have pointed ouc
above. il includes the care Of all the ar
treasures IN the royal palaces. Guy LAX
ing has been decorated by the King with
the Victorian order and has received SINH
lar distinctions from nearly every sover-
etgn in Europe. n recognition % the ser
vices which he has rendered them IN ad-
z.sing them about their collections. But
h. is nor yet sir" Guy Laking and. as he
IS deeply attached 70 his father. he will be
content 10 wait for many years before nc
inherits the paternaI baronetcy.
MARQUISE DE FONTENOY.