Norwich bulletin., 1912-02-09

George S. sans. Interesting Paper.
Mr.. Rogers gracefully accepted the
gift for the society and then present
ed George S. Palmer of New London,
who read an interesting paper on the
"reminiscences of a Collector. Mr..
Palmer spoke first of the motives in
nuenclng the collector-the predatory
instinct, the joy Of exclusive possess
sion, the desire of perfecting the whole,
the love of beauty, the historical in
terest and romantic value. Even the
primitive savage is apt to begin a col
lection Of something-usually wives.
In India gems and precious stones are
boarded for their intrinsic value as an
emergency in time Of need.
Collectors in Every Age.
Leaving out the commercial aspect
and coming to the motive of beauty
we think of the old Roman collector
and the way in which his treasures
We're preserved for centuries under the
ashes of Nesuvius, from which he
could not protect them. Great collec-
tons We're made by the Roman gen
erals. Spells from the conquered
countries, and brought to Rome to
grace their triumphs. The Saracens
IN turn made great collections. Later
came Francis I. of Spain, and Charles
Y. of France, Augustus the Strong Of
Saxony, and even Napoleon. All these
were men of action, whom one would
not expect to find collectors. But these
are just the men who often do. And
in America history is repeating itself
today. There are many of these cap
tains of industry with fine collections.
But it is no new and recent thing
that many have not vet learned about
them.
Veneration and Sentiment.
Mr.. Palmer began collecting house
hold articles 20 years ago at the ad-
vice of friend who declared that the
old things were better made than those
of today. To this practical foundation
has been added spirit of veneration
of sentiment, and of historical inter
/ est in dating the various pieces and
frouping them harmoniously. There is
much to be learned from ancient arti-
| cles One learns best how to live from
learning how the best have lived. And
! there is education in their history. The
! collector has many interesting expert
| ences, The contrast between puritan
and cavalier was never shown more
strlklngly than in the case of the azure
| blOoded Maryland woman from whom
/
| gave him His first experience in hav-
/ ing lady swear at him.
Two Notable Experiences.
Collections are usually made slow
piec by piece. 1t was a rare piece oil
good fortune which made him the pos
SCISSOR of 60 pieces of furniture at one
! time. Another case of even more ju-
| bilatiOn was the purchase of a large
collection from one unwilling to sci
and which would probably have beer
| bequeathed to another city had not tot
large a sewer assessment provoked the
owners and induced them to listen Il
his offer.
Detective Ability Enters.
Then there is the detective abilit!
and knowledge necessary for the col
lector who would not be imposed upon
The frauds and chicanery of the deal
ers are many and various. About hal
the things sold by them are fakes
One collector on Fifth avenue Nez
York, paid thousands of dollars TO
these fake things.
Old Furniture for Home Furnishing.
But if the object is to furnish
home, there is nothing better thai
these old pieces OF furniture Our fore
fathers have been called cold and aus
tere and denouncers of luxury. Thei
taste was certainly of the best, an
their domestic atmosphere was com
Portable and abundant and in sympa
thy with luxury. They appreciate
beauty, d certain something which W
call quaintness, and simplicity. The
knew hof to combine these with a.
art which makes their work beyon
ours. We are copying them in GU
designs today.