Fiscal Year

Esthetes may consider it disgusting that the U. S. public last year spent $1,800,000,000 on cosmetics and only $250,000,000 on Fine Art. Not so art dealers. To them $250,000,000 is a big figure, last year was a big year. When they read the 1929 fiscal summary compiled and issued last week by the American Art Dealers' Association, they grew increasingly optimistic about their profession.

Wall Street's tribulations affected the sale of Fine Art only in December. This decline was offset, however, by heavy buying earlier in the year. Total business was reported to have exceeded that of any year since 1913. Approxmately one-third of the $250,000,000 was spent on old masters. Chief buyers: Collector Thomas Benedict Clarke, Banker Jules Semon Bache, Motorman Lawrence P. Fisher, Financier-Socialite Joseph E. Widener, Publisher William Randolph Hearst, Capitalist Sam Adolph Lewisohn, many a museum. Chief buy: Delia Francesco's The Crucifixion bought from Anderson Galleries by Sir Joseph Duveen for $375,000.

Besides old masters, the principal purchases were contemporary paintings, sculptures and prints by foreign and U. S. artists. Chief buyers: Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Andover, Mass, (reputed to have spent $750,000 on American painting of all periods); the Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney collection; the Cranbrook Foundation, Bloomfield Hills, Mich, (decorative and sculptural art); Circusman John Ringling; Mr. & Mrs. Chester Dale of Manhattan; Mrs. John Davison Rockefeller Jr.; Edsel Ford.

Etchings, lithographs and woodcuts totaling $25,000,000 were sold. A marked increase in print-purchasing was reported, many college students participating in this relatively economical form of collection.

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