A Palace of Delight.

Observer, Volume XIV, Issue 781, 23 December 1893, Page 17

A Palace of Delight.

Perhaps one of the finest displays of goods suitable for presents is to be found this year at Messrs Wildman. and Lyell's, 'whose extensive) premises were visited on Tuesday afternoon fey a. representative of the ÜBBERTKB,, The spacious showroom of this popular firm is crammed with beautiful things,, and at prices that are adapted to all pockets. Let us take the fancy goods, first. ■ These comprise hundreds ot ladies' bags in fragrant Russian leather . and morocoo, fitted with the latest thing in handles. These bags combine elegance with . utility. A prettier Christmas gift it. would be hard to find. The prices range from 7/6 to a guinea, and upwards. Then there are thousands of the most beautiful purses, of all sizes, shapes, and hues. Some of them are extremely handsome, all are tasteful because Wildman and Lyell's buyer knows his business and; never makes a mistake. He certainly I has excellent taste. The dressing-cases in leather and wood, are also very beautiful. They may be had both fitted and unfitted. Then there are tourist-oases (portable leather writing cases, filled with every necessary for correspondence). Travellers will find them a perfect boon. Fern cases in New Zealand woods, (inlaid) are a charmieg novelty, and work-boxes, of New Zealand and other woods, will be found in endless variety. They are exquisite goods, and what prettier or more usetul present can you find for a young lady than a really nice work-box ? The writing-cases are many and beautiful. They are of all sizes and adapted to all requirements. The glove and handkerchief boxes are extremely pretty.- They are of the .very latest design, such as you might find in Eegent-street or Oxford-street emporiums. And. the photo-frames! Why there are thousands to choose from ! Some are for one, some for two or four or six photos. And they are made in easel-shape, screen-shape, all kinds of shapes. Some of these frames would make a shabby parlour or drawing-room look smart. And the fancy date calendars for '94. Some of them are exquisite ! The ' Tearoff ' calendar combines a beautiful picture in colours with an appropriate quotation from some favourite poet for every day in the year. You may buy a Tennyson calendar, a Shakespeare calendar, a Scripturetext calendar, or a calendar made up from all the poets. These beautiful goods are suitable for the drawing-room or the boudoir, and while they are elegant are sold for very little money. The firm makes a specialty of albums. Their stock is unrivalled in this city. Prices range from a shilling or two up "to three guineas. The gift-books would require a couple of columns to describe properly. First there are the poets, in all sorts of bindings and at all sorts of prices. One of the most ! beautiful and tasteful volumes is a Tennyson in choice fancy leather binding, small enough to slip into your pocket, but beautifully printed. This is a gem. It is published at half-a-guinea — a prettier gift you couldn't buy. Tennyson comes dearer than almost any other poet because, you see, the copyright has not expired. But Burns and Longfellow and the rest may be had for much less money. And the boys have not been forgotten. Handsome volumes in beautiful coloured bindings, such as the Boys Illustrated Annual, the Girls' ditto, and the Boy's Choice Library (boxes of tales of adventure etc., at 8s 6d and 12a 6d per box) are most attractive. Then there is ' The Girls' Favourite Library,' also in a pretty box, at 12s 6d. And four volumes of Dickens' most popular novels in a box at 12s 6d ; each volume fit to adorn a drawing-room table. And the little ones ? Oh, yes, Wildman and Lyell have not forgotten them. Thousands of the most wonderful picture books will be found in this marvellous showroom of wonders. Some of these picture books shew pictures which change like the pictures shewn by a magic lantern, at a touch ! They are wonders. Colorboxes with twelve tubes of lovely moist colors, brushes, pallettes, and all complete foiin another delightful present. They may be had as low as 7/6 and as high as a guinea. The Xmas and New Tear cards of the firm we have already spoken of. Wildman and Lyell have sold thousands of; Xmas cards this season. Their Aew Year's cards are every bit as beautiful. The hand-painted cards are works of art. and now is the time to buy these beautiful goods. In short the time devoted to a visit to the establishment of this enterpriring firm will be well spent. Just now it is at its brightest and best.