The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-10-22
h. E. HUNTINGTON I'LL
ART SUIT DISCLOSES|
Not Likely to Testify in
ROmney Painting Litiga-
ton in England.
DEALERS SIDE EXPLAINED

The announcement yesterday That
Henry r. Huntington was suing In the
English courts to recover the greater
part Of the purchase price OF a painting
by Romney. upon the authenticity OF
caused considerable excitement among
the art circles OF upper Fifth avenue.
Mr.. Huntington himself could not be
seen, being III. A close friend Of Mr..
HuntinEton's said the illness had been Of
so serious a nature that at one time his
life had been considered in danger. The
turning point had been passed. he said.
and the patient Is now reported as on
the road to recovery. although not yet
able TO cav his apartment here.
The consensus Of opinion. however.
was that Mr.. Huntington would not In
any casa 20 to England to testify in the
lawsuit.
The price paid by Mr.. Huntington,
500. 1000. is considered 10 be a GOOD
price for an authentic half length Rom
ney. but Is by no means a record. Full
length Rcmneys are much admired by
Americans and az much as 100000 has
been paid for one Of this artists works.
The painting under dispute. a por-
trait Of MIRA Siddons and her sister.
was acquired by Mr.. Huntington from
Lewis a Simmons In January. 1919. This
10 an old established Arm Of English art
dealers. but the branch establishment at
57 Fifth avenue. this city. IL Of COM
p~aratively recent date. When seen yea
terday by a reporter for THE Sun Mr..
simmons made the following statement
explaining his FIRMS side Of the dispute /:
"Thi picture was sold to Henry r..
Huntington by this firm and guaranteed
10 be q Romney. II was accompanied
by a written expert opinion Of the best
If not the very best-English author
lily on Romney. After the picture was
sold II wal hung in the Metropolitan
Club. In this city, In Mr.. HuntinEton's
private apartment. n while there was
seen by several well known dealers who
at that time were advising him. and
all Of whom pronounced very f~avorab,y
upon the picture. After hanging at the
club some time II was sent 20 the home
OF Mr.. Huntington at San Gabriel. Cal.
The following year I met MI. Hunting
ton In Paris n he told me how pleased
he was with the picture.
About eighteen months ago a we'll
known Arm Of art dealers in this city
held ar exhibition Of portraits of old
English masters, which consisted mostly
Of pictures bought from the Arm. by
Mr.. Huntington. This Arm refused TO
hang the Romney in its exhibition.
This poisoned Mr.. H~untinEton's mind
and ne asked US to take back the pic
ture n return his money. This We re-
fused to do. assuring him that the pic
ture was absolutely as represented. and
that we could not take back a picture
an which a slur had been cast, but we
offered to submit II for further examins-
tion to any expert or experts that Mr..
Huntington would name. After this the
picture was sent to England under the
direction Of the large Arm before men,
toned and the matter was placed in he
hands of lawyers. who began this action.
After this action was brought we had
the picture examined by the best author
tiles on Romney In England. and they
have pronounced II absolutely genuine.
THE integrity OF our Arm has never
been assailed before. n we have been
established since 1860. We feel hat we
will demonstrate to Mr.. Huntington an
well as to the art lovers OF the world
that this great picture is by the arts.
Romney.
we are pleased that this action has
been brought, as 1t will clear the air
n prove to Mr.. Huntington beyond
Q question Of doubt hat he has n per-
fectly authentic and genuine work"