ROMANCE OF CHRISTIE’S.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19867, 13 August 1926, Page 12

ROMANCE OF CHRISTIE’S.

SALES DURING 163 YEARS. “Christie’s” —the very name conjures up visions of fabulous-priced pictures, of manuscripts which are part_ and parcel of English history, of glittering gems which impoverished houses have been obliged to lay on the altar of Ready Money. It is,a fascinating story which Mr H. C. Marillier has to tell in “Christie’s, 1766 to 1925,” of the world’s chief clearing house for those treasures. • Who was the original Christie? Mr Marillier rejects a story that ho was married four times; he prefers the version that the Mesdames Christie numbered but two, and that he left the Navy for business, was of “tall and dignified appearance,” as may be seen from his portrait by Gainsborough, and from Dighton's not illnatured caricature. That he was popular with his contemporaries, notably the leading artists with whom he wte brought into contact, appears from many independent sources of evidence. Garrick, _ Reynolds, and Gainsborough were among his intimate friends. A good story is told of Joseph Gillott, a Sheffield mechanic, who invented the steel pen. Gillott loved pictures and bought them with a well-filled wallet. He admired Turner, and when that genius retired to Queen Anne street, with a female Cerberus on guard, he forced his way into his presence. Turner came out looking surly. Gillott gave his name. “What, Gillott the pen maker," he said. “What do you know about pictures?” “Oh, I know enough to like yours.” “Ah, but you can't buy of me,” said Turner, gruffly. “I know that,” replied Gillott, “but I want, to swop.” ‘,‘Swop? What with?” “Pictures,” said Gillott. “What pictures?” “Well, I’ve pot some , pictures m my pocket,” said Gillott, pulling out a handful of £IOOO notes and waving them in the face of the grim painter, whose face broke into a smile as he said, “Well, you re a rum chap; come and have a glass of sherry.’ Mention is made of that wonderful sale in 1904, when the first portion of the jewels of the late Marquis Anglesey came to the hammer on behalf ,of his creditors. “It may seem remarkable that one man should own more than 50 different scarf pins . . . but the catalogue contained the description of a vast number of fancy dresses made for private theatricals, countless boxes of chocolates, and innumerable bottles of perfume. The list suggests the estate rather of a lady than of a gentleman of fashion and ill becomes a descendant of that hardy soldier whoso lee was carried off at Waterloo, who exclaimed, ‘By God. I’ve lost my leg.’ Whereat the Duke of Wellington, looking down also, remarked laconically, ‘By God, so you have!’” There is a delightful storv of a Liverpool woman who wished to have auctioned “what mnv be described as a natural souvenir of the Coronation.” This was ‘ a hen egg, and was raised on Coronation morning, August 9, at 10.30. It has on it a raised C of its own shell, and therefore brines its name with it (the Coronation Kg?).” _______________