Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-01-09

New York. Jan. The oppor-
tunity for which 10 many Of our
American millionaires have been
patiently waiting has at last ar
rived. The door to the vault OF
Europe's greatest art treasures,
which held its own for 90 long .
time against the steady attacks Of
American art connoisseurs and col
lectors, 10 now open Tor all WAC
care to buy. One by one. or occa-
siopally dozen by dosen. Europe Is
parting with its great paintings, its
rare manuscripts, its most highly
priced and priced precious stones.
and even its historic furniture-not
because 1t loves them less, but be-
cause 1t loves food and clothing
more.
No man can enjoy luxury while
he is hungry, and SO. in spite OF
fearful remonstrances on the part
of European art lovers, In spite OF
the rawlings and threats of indignant
governments, the owners of some
Of the most remarkable art collec-
lions abroad are sadly putting them
up for auction. They have one con-
ISOLATION. The prices now being Of
|fered by American collectors are
from three to six times as great as
those offered in 1914.
A few weeks ago, for instance,
the greatest one-day book sale ever
held occurred in London when the
Britwell court library. comprising
the greatest private collection Of
books in Great Britain, and famous
all over the world, was auctioned
of. Before the bidding took place,
New York collector appeared on
the scene and offered to buy the ell
tire collection for his American
millionaire client at the price Of
81 ,000, 900, but this was haughtily
refused by the agent.
Nothing daunted, however, the
New York collector attended the
sale, determined to secure the spe-
cial books desired by his client. At
this he succeeded, although the
British museum was anxious to OBJ
tain the same books and did its beet
to outbid him. For the price of
$4,000, he bought a copy Of the
earliest edition of Shakespeare's
Venus and Adonis.' printed in
1899, a little book two inches by
three and bound in It's original tas-
tered vellum. He also bought for
$4,000 a CaXton translation OF
Dictes or Sayings of the Philoso-
piers, dated 1477; for $4,000 a
third impression of Shakespeare's
comedies, histories and tragedies.
with seven unpublished plays, and
fol $1,000 a first edition Of Much
Ado About Nothing"
At about the same time it was
learned that an American senator
had just secured his 23rd Corot in
Paris for a price known to be Ia
six figures, and that an American
il Vienna had just offered $780,
900 for famous Austrian jewel.
The art treasures Of Germany
and Austria-Hungary, particularly,
are now at the financial mercy of
foreign bargain-hunters. The cer-
trail powers are overrun with art
| collectors. ostensibly from POLAND
and Scandinavia, but actually rep
resenting. in many cases, American
and English buyers. Naturally,
Germans do not enjoy turning over
their most valuable possessions to
their principal enemies Of the late
war. so that Dutch and Scandinav-
i'm Intermediates are usually nee
esssry. A collection Of prints by
Albert Durer, who has become one
Of the big speculative art Stocks y
recently brought nearly one mil
lion marks at auction, and It is
strongly suspected that these
prints are destined for certain
private gallery on Fifth avenue.
It is now rumored with interest
ing persistency that the Austrian
government is about to offer its
work of art for q large loan. at
which new American dealers have
at once departed for Austria to
Join the mob OF collectors already
there, securing the field for valu-
able paintings and tempting art
loving but impoverished Vienna
with bright, new war-made MONEY
America is the art ogre of the
world at the present time" declarel!
a we'll known British art connois-
seur the other day, in complaining
of the way in which American col
lectors are carrying off Europe's
masterpieces. you really can't
blame Americans for wanting our
great works Of art or for taking
them when they are the only pe--
sons who can pay the price for
such things when they are placed
on sale, but at the same time 1t Is
most regrettable-most regrettable
indeed, you know-from our stand.
point. Really. if it keeps up. it viii
only be a matter Of time before We
must go to America to see some
OF our finest art treasures"
A more emphatic protest was ne.
Gently registered in the British pa-.
lament. where it was proposed tc
put a high export duty on works o.
art, which would not only discour.
age the sale of them, but provide
a rayenua with which thew mich,