SECRETS OF AN ART-DEALER!
By J. H. Duveen
The secrets Mr. Duveen exposes are mostly concerned with the shady side of art-dealing. He has many good stories to tell of the intrigues, dishonesty, violence, and even blackmail that have centred round most of the lovely, and expensive, things illustrated in his book (Robert Hale, iss.). He has smuggled, contended with the Camorra in Naples, saved an old man's life by recognising a Delft plate. Pierpoint Morgan appears, a colossus bestriding this narrow world, and the dreadful, pathetic Frau Ermina Feist with her millions, her law suits, her insane haggling, and many smooth and able crooks. He tells his stories dramatically, sometimes too dramatically, and occasionally the details seem too perfect ; did he make a copy of the letter from Napoleon II to Maximilian, which he declares he found in a casket, or is the version he gives us from memory? The psychic lady's vision concerning the Palissy plate is extraordinarily detailed, coherent, and complete. But in general Mr. Duveen is convincing ; he writes as one who feels himself in his element, and master of it, and with a deep affection for his vases, snuff-boxes, and tapestries.
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