DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.73059#0019
Collecting Prints as a Hobby.
to bid at all. Mr. Hodge (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge), who, with his partners, must
have disposed of some millions of old prints under the hammer, advises his clients that the
best prices are always reached at unreserved sales ; the lots as they appear are closely
scrutinised, and, if the prints are good, the competition will often be of the very keenest.
A collection sometimes so grows as to become unmanageable, or the owner hesitates
to extend it by laying out more money ; and then there is nothing left but to stop alto-
gether, or have a clear out and begin again. This is what befel the writer, who early in
the present season sent a portion of his collection of Bartolozzi's prints, including some
mezzotints, to Christie's for disposal; and he had the satisfaction of finding that in nearly
all cases he had bought well, in some exceedingly so. The prints then sold realized as a
whole about three times their original cost; but it must be borne in mind that many were
purchased ten, fifteen, or even twenty years ago. The following are a few instances of the
profitableness of a hobby. The writer had recently purchased from a curiosity dealer, who
occasionally sends him prints for inspection, a proof of Conde's " Mrs. Fitzherbert," after
Cosway, for five shillings ; and at this sale, a few months afterwards, it was bought (lot 121)
by a dealer for £6 6s. " Psyche going to Bathe" and "Psyche going to Dress," and
another of the same character (lot 28), he gave half a crown each for at a recent sale of
miscellaneous effects; they brought £6 10s. " Miss Duncan" (lot 173) he found in a
quantity of miscellaneous prints purchased at Puttick's for six and sixpence; it brought
£2 2s. ; and many similar instances could be added.
When a man is known to be a collector, opportunities to buy well, either at sales
or through dealers, are sure to present themselves to him. As regards buying privately,
dealers of course have the best of it. Not so long ago a person walked into a well-known
print shop, and showing a roll of prints, containing about a dozen, asked £10 for it, which
was at once handed over. One example only out of the twelve was shortly after sold at
Christie's for nearly £100. But what was its title, or what were the nature of others, the
writer never heard ; for the dealer, perhaps thinking he had already told too much, grew
reticent, and refused afterwards to return to the subject.
CHAPTER
B 2
to bid at all. Mr. Hodge (Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge), who, with his partners, must
have disposed of some millions of old prints under the hammer, advises his clients that the
best prices are always reached at unreserved sales ; the lots as they appear are closely
scrutinised, and, if the prints are good, the competition will often be of the very keenest.
A collection sometimes so grows as to become unmanageable, or the owner hesitates
to extend it by laying out more money ; and then there is nothing left but to stop alto-
gether, or have a clear out and begin again. This is what befel the writer, who early in
the present season sent a portion of his collection of Bartolozzi's prints, including some
mezzotints, to Christie's for disposal; and he had the satisfaction of finding that in nearly
all cases he had bought well, in some exceedingly so. The prints then sold realized as a
whole about three times their original cost; but it must be borne in mind that many were
purchased ten, fifteen, or even twenty years ago. The following are a few instances of the
profitableness of a hobby. The writer had recently purchased from a curiosity dealer, who
occasionally sends him prints for inspection, a proof of Conde's " Mrs. Fitzherbert," after
Cosway, for five shillings ; and at this sale, a few months afterwards, it was bought (lot 121)
by a dealer for £6 6s. " Psyche going to Bathe" and "Psyche going to Dress," and
another of the same character (lot 28), he gave half a crown each for at a recent sale of
miscellaneous effects; they brought £6 10s. " Miss Duncan" (lot 173) he found in a
quantity of miscellaneous prints purchased at Puttick's for six and sixpence; it brought
£2 2s. ; and many similar instances could be added.
When a man is known to be a collector, opportunities to buy well, either at sales
or through dealers, are sure to present themselves to him. As regards buying privately,
dealers of course have the best of it. Not so long ago a person walked into a well-known
print shop, and showing a roll of prints, containing about a dozen, asked £10 for it, which
was at once handed over. One example only out of the twelve was shortly after sold at
Christie's for nearly £100. But what was its title, or what were the nature of others, the
writer never heard ; for the dealer, perhaps thinking he had already told too much, grew
reticent, and refused afterwards to return to the subject.
CHAPTER
B 2