THE

ANTIQUARIAN.

OUR PLANS AND PROSPECTS.

reports will have a retrospective and future as well as a present bearing. They will tend to define unsettled values, to create

THE general scope of this undertaking has been partly practical standards of price, and thus furnish all parties with

outlined in a prospectus which has doubtless been read by many of our readers; but a somewhat fuller explanation of our views may be desired by some of the numerous patrons whom we have the best reasons for hoping to obtain in the Antiquarian, Artistic, and Literary world.

a useful guide in adjusting the terms upon which dealings can be equitably effected.

Again, the Advertising columns, containing general and special notices of forthcoming sales, by auction or otherwise, will be useful to curators of public and proprietors of private Our intention, then, is to supply a long-felt and acknow- Museums, from the intelligence furnished respecting Pictures, ledged want to the several sections of that particular world. Statuary, Books, Coins, Gems, and other objects of virtu, Especially we propose to furnish a regular, complete, and open from time to time to the offers of collectors. When to trustworthy medium of intercommunication between those these are added the original articles and paragraphs, with who have rare and valuable articles of virtu to dispose of, the miscellaneous contributions and correspondence from and those who wish to possess such articles, but know not numerous quarters, the ANTIQUARIAN will present such a where to obtain them. It is no exaggeration to say that repertory of facts, suggestions, and memoranda as has never from the want of such a medium of "useful knowledge," a before been available to the circles whose tastes and wants it considerable waste of time and money is sustained by pur-will consult, and the value of which will be increasingly chasers and by that respectable class whom, for brevity's appreciated. An extensive circulation is anticipated, and sake, we will designate as dealers. The former sometimes has, in fact, been in great measure secured; it is therefore pay an unduly high price, in order to avoid an irksome obvious that a peculiar value will attach to everything process of investigation, and the latter are induced to accept appearing in the columns of this journal. an inadequate price from the fear that by refusing an immediate offer they may long postpone the chance of finding a customer. Hence arises a kind of game of cross purposes, whereby both parties lose money, time, and temper.

It is, perhaps, well to observe that its establishment and management will be to us, in a great degree, a labour of love, harmonising with pursuits which we have long culti

vated for their own sakes.

It is believed that the establishment of the ANTIQUARIAN will terminate this unsatisfactory state of matters, and afford, equally to purchasers and dealers, a facility for effecting their respective objects and subserving their convenience and interests. As explained in the preliminary prospectus, this serial will bring the Art Collector and the Dealer more readily together, as it is presumed that a pub-fulness to it; and upon this we found our expectation of lication containing a Catalogue of Wants, whether of Paintings, Sculpture, Furniture, Armour, Ceramic Ware, Coins, Medals, Gems, &c., &c., and a descriptive List of rare Articles on Sale in London and the provinces (not forgetting the antiquarian and artistic treasures abounding in foreign countries) will be useful and acceptable, and meet with general favour from persons interested in these matters, and in the elegant tastes and pursuits associated with them. But this will form only one department of the information comprised in the ANTIQUARIAN. Amongst others, we would point to the Reports of Prices realised by certain articles, with the names of their respective purchasers, thus presenting a trustworthy record for future reference. These depend. [No. 1.]

Briefly, the ANTIQUARIAN will not be a mere mercantile speculation for profit. But we are aware that one of the best signs of usefulness is the attainment of success, and that the passport to such success lies in the degree of merit which shall distinguish this new publication. Acting upon this conviction, our aim will be to impart the utmost use

that high position which we hope to obtain for the ANTIQUARIAN, and we are desirous that the support accorded may be proportioned to the completeness with which we carry out our plans and pledges. Foremost amongst these is that of exerting all our energies, "utilising" all our experience, in fine, employing all our facilities and general capabilities in the endeavour to make the ANTIQUARIAN equal to the anticipation of those friends whose advice and good wishes have encouraged us to bring it forward.

Upon these grounds the ANTIQUARIAN is now submitted to the approval of those in whose behalf its plans have been arranged, and on whose favour its prospects must entirely