DUBIOUS LAWSUIT

Evening Star, Issue 17329, 17 April 1920, Page 5

DUBIOUS LAWSUIT

ROMANCE OF A PICTURE. The authenticity of a picture in the National Gallery, which was purchased at L card's sale in 1832 for £4OO, was called m question at a lawsuit in the King's bench Division on January 21. It is the celebiated painting * r i]iKclucation of Cupid by Antonio Allegri da Correggio of which it is claimed that the XaUonai Uai.ery possession i_? merely “a rather poor copy.” M>\s Marini) Meiudr-s. of llelenslca, Lancaster road, St. Albans, claimed from Jesse Vi illiam Lnndon, of U-atford. £1,500 principal, alleged to he due upon live bonds given by the defendant in 1912, under which it was stated t.iat ne would sell the picture and par the plaintiff certain sums out of the purchase money. Ihe defendant having failed to sell the Correggio, the plaintiff claimed lor the sum. It was averred by the, defendant that he had spent considerable sums in making research into the authenticity of thi« oil painting, and in writing and illustrating a- boon, signed proofs of which he im termed to send to millionaires all over the wond wao were art collectors. Definite contrary o}tininns, Mr Langdon and other art connoisseurs still affirm that this picture is a genuine Correggio. Mi Justice Bailhache. in givina ment. described the case as ‘a curious action^ arising from a bond.” It was a fort of romance about an alleged original Correggio, but bo had nothing to do "with v> nether nr not it iva? the original. All hat he had to do was to decide whether -Mrs Menzies had a right to sue upon certain bonds. Mr Landon wanted monev in order .to bring this picture to the notice of art collectors. Ho evidently went to a vast amount of expense hi the matter, and wanted monev to hein him to pay expenses. Mrs Menzhs advanced £1 600 upon five separate bonds for £oCO each. The defendant was .to pay her £SOO on each if the pictore rtas sold in the first year, and if nob he was to pay £SOO on the sale of the picture. I here was an absolute undertaking to pay the plaintiff £SOO at the expiration of two years. At common law the bonds were enforceable, and Mr Landon must pay. '['here would be judgment tor the plainDfffor £1,500 and C ost».