The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-13

1 Probably the largest collection of rare
 old paintings is in the possession of Capt
 Frank Demere and his mother. There are seven of these portraits hanging in their apartments on the Highlands, and they are but part of the original collection of Mrs. Demere's parents, some having gone to other members of the family. A few years ago a fire in the Potter building, this city, where the portraits were stored, seriously injured them. They were re- moved in a condition that seemed, hope However, by careful treatment with certain chemicals they were cleverly cleaned and though still showing some water streaks. are very beautiful art treasures. The beauty of one of the very oldest is apparent in the clearness with which 1t was photographed. Oliver Lilli- bridge was the great grandfather of Cap tain Lillibridge. His portrait. painted by Gilbert Stuart over 30 years ago, is won derful in it's soft color, mellowed and sweetened with age His wife, Maria Stuart Lillibridge. is pictured in the quaint lace cap of the period. Time has not lessened the distinction of her bear ing. and the painter, Lawrence, who was famous at that time, caught the gentle ness and grace of the woman and hand ed it down to succeeding generations as legacy very real. Her daughter, Ma tilda Caroline Lillibridge. afterward Mrs. Ferrill, was Captain Demere's grand mother. the mother of his beautiful It, tic white-haired lady mother. who is so sincerely beloved here in the city of her adoption. It Is one of the very prettiest portraits Tn the collection, but because of It's extremely soft colors would not have been a photographic success.
 In the James Bowron dining room hangs a handsome and most interesting portrait.
 First you know the portrait was not made yesterday; then you say: Where have I seen you beforeT' There is the , fine. strong face in profile; a head that phrenologist would certainly report en- dowed with superior literary gifts, nobil- ity of character, determination and lot of other good things. After you study the portrait. as study 1t you will. it comes to you that here Is a portrait of Charles Dickens; but it isn't James Bowron, Sr.. of Stockton-on-Tees, was a glass manufacturer in England rather than iiterati, but in the contour of his features, the way he combed his hair, his beard and his general appearance was said to great ly resemble the English author
 Of somewhat earlier period was the painting of Mrs Charles Sharp's erand- mother, Katherine Hobbs, wife of Will liam Chandler. The painting was after the best style of the artist, Proctor, done in Charleston in 1920. It is young and lovely face. looking out of a soft mass of light hair, and in keeping with the cus- tom of the time the bodice was cut quite low. clever combination Of the ante bellum and modern is Mrs. J. A Mont gomery's pastel reproduction of tiny da- euerreotype likeness of her mother, Mrs. Rose Garland Lewis. The daguerreotype was made in 1858, but a short time ago Mrs. Montgomery, talented painter, made a pastel drawing in the life size, l which is pronounced an extraordinary likeness and an unusual conception of a small model. by those who know Mrs. Lewis and are capable art critics
 
 Two of the beautiful portraits that in- spired this reference to local art treas- ures are hanging in the W. s. Lowell res- idence. They are companion portraits of Mir. Lovell's grandparents. General and Mrs. Quitman of Mississippi The artist is unknown, but the paintings are people just after their marriage in 1920. Mrs. Quitman is pictured on this page. | but indefinitely. the exquisite coIors on 1 the canvas representation of her youth | full charms serving well to illustrate the l piquant beauty of a very lovely woman.
 Gen. and Mrs. R. D. Johnston are the