Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 July 1875 — A Picture Fraud. [ARTICLE]

A Picture Fraud.

A suit arising out of the sale of a picture with a false signature has just been decided before the Paris Court of Appeal. M. Michel, dealer in works of art, bought in April, 1874, of M. Coquet, a sculptor at Rheims, a landscape signed “Ch. J.” and bearing at the back the name in full, “ Ch. Jacque.” The price paid was 600 f. The painting was afterward submitted for verification to the artist to whom it was attributed and he returned to M. Michel with two notes written on it in common ink; at the top,in front—“ This daub is not one of mineand on the back—“ Those who put my name here are thieves.” M. Michel, in consequence, called on the seller to take back the picture, which the other refused to do, saying that it had been spoilt by the insciption put on it An action was brought before the civil court *t Rheims and a verdict was given for the plaintiff, Coquet being allowed to deduct from the 600 f. he had to reimburse a sum of forty francs for the depreciation the painting had undergone. An appeal was made against that judgment, which has now been confirmed, Coquet being in addition compelled to pay to Michel 59f. 95c. for expenses to which the latter had been put by the other refusing to receive the object in dispute from the railway company when sent back to him and returning it to Paris. —Court Circular. He is likely to remain in poverty all his days who has a loving, patient, sweeUem. pered wife who will pot or canpot use her brains.