DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62818#0022
xvi
INTRODUCTION.
placing of old, or purposely dirtied pictures, at brokers',
or old clothes’ and other shops, where the venders appear
to know nothing whatever about them ; but they tell
some simple story of having bought them at an 44 old
Mansion in the Countryor, of 44 an antiquated lady,
in whose family they are said to have been for the last
two centuries.” A tale of this description, related in a
plain, and seemingly artless, manner, is listened to with
avidity by many, who would show less credulity if
treating with one whom they supposed conversant with
the value of pictures. The purchaser imagines that he
is buying a great bargain of a poor ignorant man, but
ultimately discovers which has been the dupe ; but those
who are so duped have scarcely a right to complain, for
it is well known that some that have bought sad trash
in this way, will not buy of one whom they know to be
well acquainted with the value of works of art, as sup-
posing that they cannot obtain a bargain.
To guard against the above impositions, and others
equally mortifying, the writer would recommend ama-
teurs, previously to purchasing pictures of value, to
obtain the opinion of some one conversant with works
of art, whom they may safely consult, or to apply
to a Dealer of acknowledged respectability. The writer
strongly recommends these precautions, as the best
means of avoiding imposition, and of preventing that
disgust which gentlemen invariably feel on discovering
that they have been duped, by the purchase of copies
instead of the originals; a disgust so powerful, that
many, in the warmth of their just displeasure, have sold
off their pictures, and turned away for ever from the
delightful pursuits of collecting works of art. To pre-
INTRODUCTION.
placing of old, or purposely dirtied pictures, at brokers',
or old clothes’ and other shops, where the venders appear
to know nothing whatever about them ; but they tell
some simple story of having bought them at an 44 old
Mansion in the Countryor, of 44 an antiquated lady,
in whose family they are said to have been for the last
two centuries.” A tale of this description, related in a
plain, and seemingly artless, manner, is listened to with
avidity by many, who would show less credulity if
treating with one whom they supposed conversant with
the value of pictures. The purchaser imagines that he
is buying a great bargain of a poor ignorant man, but
ultimately discovers which has been the dupe ; but those
who are so duped have scarcely a right to complain, for
it is well known that some that have bought sad trash
in this way, will not buy of one whom they know to be
well acquainted with the value of works of art, as sup-
posing that they cannot obtain a bargain.
To guard against the above impositions, and others
equally mortifying, the writer would recommend ama-
teurs, previously to purchasing pictures of value, to
obtain the opinion of some one conversant with works
of art, whom they may safely consult, or to apply
to a Dealer of acknowledged respectability. The writer
strongly recommends these precautions, as the best
means of avoiding imposition, and of preventing that
disgust which gentlemen invariably feel on discovering
that they have been duped, by the purchase of copies
instead of the originals; a disgust so powerful, that
many, in the warmth of their just displeasure, have sold
off their pictures, and turned away for ever from the
delightful pursuits of collecting works of art. To pre-