The broad ax., 1924-11-22
BY WILLIAM H. STUART IN
THE CHICAGO EVENING
AMERICAN

EAANAA@ANASGAN
Hon. George F. Harding has writ
ten into his will a provision that his
magnificent art collection, one Of the
finest in Chicago, shall become the
property Of the people Of Chicago.
Without strings or limiting condi-
tions, he turns it over to the Chicago
Art Institute.
All that this means Mr.. Harding
does not say, for he is modest.
But art critics say that this collec-
ton is one Of the most valuable in
America outside Of New York City.
There is hardly a great master who
is not represented in the gallery.
The news that Mr.. Harding is an
art collector viii come as news to the
many who have known him only as
big political leader and as probably
the largest individual holder of real
estate in Chicago.
George does not talk much and
when he does seldom about himself
Few even know that he has built on
the big lot south of his palatial home
at 1858 Lake Park Ave. two-storv
art gallery.
There are the paintings, 400 Of
them, from creations Of ancient and
medieval masters down to living mas
ters, including Hans Larwip's war
time picture "The Bread Line, which
has stirred the hearts Of men Of all
nations.
There are two hundred bronzes and
antiques, including masterpieces Of
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney.
One might spend month with
profit in this gallery, and the writer,
having made but one evenings sur
vey, will not attempt to 60 into de-
tails with regard to the treasure
A Regal Setting
You enter the gallery through
long corridor from the Harding home.
A scene then breaks upon the visitor
as regal as it Is unexpected. The
floors are covered with rare rugs, in
Guiding one in which is worked the
faces Of a hundred famous men Of
history.
A marble stairway leads to the sec
ond floor which has a big opening in
the center to give a balcony effect.
There are suits of armor from the
days Of the Crusaders, ancient weap-
ons, and bronze and marble statues.
There are carvings Of many kinds, and
priceless antiques, a score of big
lamps in unusual settings.
Skins OF the tiger, lion and other
animals are on the floor with the rugs.
Tapestries hang from the balcony,
second floor and stairway walls, and,
riding high up, supported BY invisible
wires, is the reproduction Of a Spanish
ship Of Queen Elizabeth's time. There
Is even too a collection Of rare, carved
canes and a roulette wheel, triumph
OF skill and chances, that Chief Fitz-
morris had taken in a raid.
Lincoln Mementoes
Two settees attract and hold your
attention. They were the property Of
Abraham Lincoln. George Harding's
father was an intimate friend Of the
martyred President. He drove him
II his carriage through the schedule
OF the Lincoln-Douglas debates.
George took the old furniture down
to Tobey's to have II upholstered.
There they found that they had sold il
'o Abraham Lincoln and the Tobey
people went into musty files and
found the original bin they had made
out to Lincoln for the antique set
tees. It is a small world.
You run the gamut Of human emo
uons in looking at the pictures. Along
the walls men fight IN armor, IN the
oiue Of Civil War and Franco-Prus-
san days, in the khaki Of the World
war, featured BY the painting Of the