A LARGE PRICE FOR CRACKED CHINA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 292, 31 March 1877, Page 4

A LARGE PRICE FOR CRACKED CHINA.

A paragraph recently appeared in the "Whitehall,. England, Rrvirw aibvt&i an extraordinary price which had be-n given for some Sevres china. The details of the Snrchase were not given. The- Martinis « Durfort had in hischateau at lie Ferte, Saint Cyr„ two very small covered vases in old rose Sevres. On© d&y a l>at flew into-the window of the room where the vases were and broke one of the covers. The pieces were fastened together as well as possible. The vastus had not attracted much notice, before, bitfc this accident drew attention to them, especially of » gentleman who was staying at the chateau*. Some days after the visitor's departure another arrived with a letter of introdnction from the first and a request that he might see the mr.r. v tt"»' china. The second visitor examined the two vases very carefully, and asked the if he wort Id 'salt them. "Certainty not," was tho answer. ** Not if I give yott a good price??" *' N©y I am not a dealer in china," was the cart reply. The tisitor took his leave, but a fovt days later the marquis received a latter urgently pressing him to sell, and tellinsf hitn to name any price. "flow shall 1 get rid of this fellow I" asked the marqnis of his steward. " Aak an impossible price—say 60,000 franca" (£2400),

TOMS ate S. me ' -»». *,_ '* , ,_....ng with the l"* 1 i fie purchaser speedily arrived audi produced the right r mount. The marqriES said, •* I never go from my word ; t*ut I should like to lor whom you are baying.'* *' For Sir Richard Wallace. His e dteetion of old Sevres is incomplete. He had no rose color. He will give me 80,000 francs." £3200 is a long price to give for cracked china.