STRANGE AUCTION STORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1931, Page 6

STRANGE AUCTION STORY.

BEDIfOBD BOOK OE HOI US. LONDON, July 17. An extraordinary story was told in the King’s Dench Division as a sequel to the purchase, of Mr J. B.erpoM Morgan last year of the Bedford 800 v of Hours, an old illuminated manuscript. Mr Morgan sold this manuscript to the British Museum for the price he paid—£33,ooo. Mrs Lilian Westby is off suing Mrs Alfred Noyes, wife of the poet, for fc«32 alleged to be due as commission. Counsel for Mrs Westbv said that Mrs Novesi who had owned the. manuscript had told Mrs Worthy that she would make it worth while if Mrs Westbv attended the sale to hid on her behalf. Mrs Noyes repeatedly telephoned Mrs Westby to make sure she was attending the sale. When Mrs Westby arrived at the saleroom, 'Mrs Noves told her the reserve was fixed at £20,000, but instructed, her to carry the bidding up to £26,000. Mr Noyes then came np and ■told his wife she must not be seen talking to Mrs Westby. Bidding, said, counsel, started at £SOOO. Mrs Westby came in when it was £15,000. After the figure reached £26.000 it went on by thousands to £32.030. • . . When the "book-buyer, . Qunriteh, secured the manuscript on behalf of Mr Morgan >for , £33,000, - Mrs Noyes went to Mrs Westby and-Amd, “Wonderful ; keep your name dark. I will be sending vou something in a few days.” Later, Mrs Noyes sent a £lO note which Mrs Westby had photographed, and then returned. Mrs Noyse denies that Mrs Westby bid as alleged. If she did so, it was alleged, she acted contrary to instructions. The hearing was adjourned. The Bedford Book of Hours was executed about ,1415 by an English artist for the Duke of Bedford.