New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-26

otace IN a small mezzaninc door near the
ceiling. allowing hardly enough room TO
stand up straight without humping ones
head Yes, said Bannerman. he did
want 10 get into more hahi,ahle and
commodious quarters. hut the nricca
asked FOR what he wanted were out OF
all reason and he had given ur the
search as hopeless. Fox mentioned that
he knew Of Just the right place further
down Broadway. when the number was
mentioned Mr. Bannerman agreed that
IL would suit him perfectly but said
that he had already dic,,ercd with sew
erai brokers about Il and thought he
probably knew as much about the pos
sihilities Of obtaining u as any ono IN
town The owners wanted about double
what he thought Il was worth
Eek said ne believed that the own
ers were IN more Wiling frame Of
mind than they had been. and he thought
he could set an unusual concession if he
acted az once Before leaving the place
he obtained an offer from Bannerman
This was on Thursday afternoon. The
trustees OF the Metropolitan Museum OF
Art through gift hy the late J. s
Rogers. The following day Fox went to
the trustee who mapaged this particular
piece % property and told him he had
real purchaser in sight lie did not say
much about price. but talked great
deaf about the customer and about the
remarkable business conducted by BAN
herman, comparing it TO n small edition
Of the Metropolitan Museum itself. When
he discovered that the trustee had never
heard the name Of his client from any
of the brokers or been to Bauuerman's
place Of business he expressed so much
establishment that ne aroused in the
trustee curiosity TO see the treasures that
had been so thoroughly praised.
ON Friday the broker and the trustee
found their way 70 the Zimmerman shop
and Fox introduced the trustee 20 the
owner. Bannerman showed the trustee
around. uncovering one treasure after
another. and the two hobnobbod as only
men can who appreciate rare Ds-
mascus or Toledo blade or who love TO
see the relics OF their country's battle
fields on the return 20 his Office the
trustee agreed that Bannermsn's stock.
by reason Of its unique qualities. should
be housed and displayed 10 better sd-
vantage.
Now. II this man Bannerman will not
pay the price for your building do not
believe anybody else will pay il. because
10 is just what Bannerman needs sug-
gested Fox. why don't YOU make a low
price 10 him and give me chance TO close
an advantageous deal all around
The trustee said. tentatively. that he
would recommend a price lower than had
ever been considered and which was just
$1,000 higher than the offer Fox had in
his pocket from Bannerman The broker
suggested the figure proposed by Banner
man. The trustee promised 10 consider
the matter with his associates and TO DO
his best TO help the deal along. agreeing
TO let Mr.. Fox know in the morning Just
what sum he would accept on Saturday
morning the trustee said his associates
had agreed with him that the price he had
IN mind should be accepted and that he
would be glad 70 90 with Fox to see Mr.
Bannerman prepared 10 make a contract
They did so the same morning, and after
some strategic moves and countermoves
and considerable telephoning upon the
part Of the trustee compromise price
was agreed upon and the deal was closed.
Frederick Fox. thereupon. for the first
time opened bank account in an insti-
tuition the outside bars Of which only had
been hitherto familiar 70 him. The ac-
count started with $3.50. Very soon after
the making Of this scoop" the building
adjoining. owned by our present Ambas-
sad0r 10 Germany came into the market
and was sold 70 Mr.. Bannerman for S110,-
GOO. so that the following entry in the
hrm ledger was made:
ITO one horse blanket. value 8, three
DAYS time. debtor for $3.50
Havins been a loft building pioneer,
Frederick Fox is constantly seeking some
Improvement in this type Of building. He
told Philip Lewisohn that there was a
field for a loft building TO BE rented ex-
10 large corporations, not less
than fourteen thousand square feet TO be
occupied by any one tenant and not a
machine or piece of manufacturing ap-
paratus 10 be allowed in any part OF il.
Nj. Lewisohn had both faith and capital.
and the Philip Lewisohn Building is the
result
Mr. Lewisohn Is the nerviest man /
have ever met in the New York real es-
tate ield.' Mr. Fox will tell YOU. He
refused 70 rcnt space to manufacturers
in this building. even al a much bigger
rental than We were asking, and ne
wouldn't allow To Rent sign on
the building Ht gameness proved prof