SALE OF HISTORICAL CHAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9082, 16 June 1888, Page 3 (Supplement)

SALE OF HISTORICAL CHAIRS.

Ox April 19 the pale of the late Mr. Goodwin's collection of ancient chairs and relics, formerly belonging to well-known literary and other celebrities, took placo at the residence of tho deceased in Cromwell Place, South Kensington. Tho number of the chairs which Mr. Goodwin had from timo to time collected was thirty, in addition to which there was a large number of rolics. The sale was conducted by Messrs. Rogers, Chapman, and Thomas, oach chair being authenticated by documents read by tho auctioneer a« the several lots were submitted. The first lot offered wan a circular armchair in walnut -wood, formerly belonging to the late Loid Lytton. It was described as his favourite chair, and it is «aid that in it, Craven College, Fulhain, ho wrote many of his earlior works. It was sold for 13 guineas. A bamboo easy chair, which it was stated Mrs. Siddons was in the habit of using when playing Queen Katharine and other characters, was sold for 7 guineas. A lady's easy chair, formerly tho property of Mrs. Browning, realised 5 guineas. For an ancient library chair, formerly the property df Gray, the poet, there was a very animated competition. It was described as ingeniously fitted with pen and ink drawer, stationery drawer, writing flap, and secret correspond drawers. Amidst much applause it was sold for 30 guineas. An oak armed chair, with cushioned seat, embroidered with the arms of Great Yarmouth, which King Charles 11. used when holding his councils at Groat Yarmouth, realised 10 guineas. An antique library chair in oak, of the Cromwell period, and which may be used as a table, formerly belonging to Theodore Hook, was sold for 19 guineas. It was stated that it came from Hook's house at Fulham. An old oak chair, formerly belonging to Anne Boleyn, was next offered. It was stated that if made in this country it was probably one of the oldest secular chairs to be found here. It came out of Hever Castle, about forty years since. It was sold for 10£ guineas. The chair which oxcited tho greatest interest was that formerly belonging to Shakspere. It was described as a small stiff square in oak, in which the poet wrote many of his plays. The biddings commenced with an offer of 5 guineas, when the competition became most intense and prolonged, and amidst a tumult of applause it was ultimately sold for 120 guineas. Other chairs, formerly belonging to Alexander Pope, Dante, Rossetti, Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Hill, Sir Walter Raleigh, Dr. Watts, Walter Savage Landor, Sydney, Lady Morgan, Lord r>yron, Napoleon Buonaparte, Sir Edwin Landseer, Thackeray, Anthony Trollope, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Shirley Brook, Planche, Hepworth Dixon, Samuel Warren, E. M. Ward, R.A., the elder Matthews, and George Cruickshank, were sold at prices ranging from 3 to 6 guineas each. A mahogany fire screen, formerly belonging to Wordsworth, was sold for 6 guineas ; a candelabra, formerly tho property of Maoready, realised 5 guineas; and Titjena' frame mueic stool realised 7 guineas.