House Filled With Relics

Mrs. Whiting's Residence A Veritable Storehouse

OF ANCIENT RELICS

Furniture, Tableware and Firearms that Have a Historic Past--Rare Specimens for the Relic-Lover

The collection of old fashioned furniture and tableware has for several years had its votaries in this city, but it is only recently that it has assumed the dignity of a fad and made it possible for one to make a business of speculating in relies of by-gone days.

Among those who for many years have made relic collecting a hobby for the mere love of it is Mrs. Mary C. Whiting, of Fourth avenue, and her home is filled with a most interesting collection until it fairly rivals Dickens' famous "Old Curiosity Shop." Mrs. Whiting is very proud of her relics and never tires of displaying them and discoursing upon the interesting stories connected with nearly every piece in her collection, for each has its story or bit of history.

As one approaches the door he confronts an old knocker which at one time--a hundred years ago or more--did service for Mrs. Whiting's ancestor and still is used to give warning of the caller's desire to enter.

On entering the hall the first object to claim one's attention is an old Dutch clock which was made over a century ago in the Black Forests of Germany. This clock is a progressive one for it runs on standard time and keeps it accurately. Beneath this was an old bureau upon which is a collection of fire arms carried by the men who fought in the Indian wars. One powder horn which belonged to Mr. Whiting's father was dated at Hartford in 1764. This is decorated with queer carved figures.

But in Mrs. Whiting's parlor there is scarcely a piece of furniture that is not of solid mahogany and has not seen at least a hundred years of wear in Mr. or Mrs. Whiting's family. The tables are most interesting. One is an old card table with massive legs, beautifully carved. It is supplied with folding leaves and drawers. Another one is small and square, for which Mrs. Whiting has had many handsome offers. The chairs and couches in the room are of the same material and style of workmanship.

Mrs. Whiting, in showing her old china and pewter ware told in her pleasant manner of the days when Dr. Tappan, the first president of the University, and Mrs. Tappan used to sit at their table set with these same dishes. The graceful shape and the workmanship of these pewter coffee and tea pots cannot be matched now. But a large platter of the old willow ware pattern was the most interesting piece of all. This ware gets its name from the story pictured upon the pieces. The old castle of the mandarin, the fence, the island, the willow trees and the history of the lovers is all portrayed and is seen as distinctly is it was a hundred years ago. The value of this old ware cannot be estimated in money, but Mrs. Whiting has been offered two hundred dollars for this platter alone.

But the article which would interest the women most is Martha Washington's work basket. This is of rattan and is formed by two baskets. The upper one is placed upon the top and is swan-shaped, while the spool basket is placed at the juncture of the three legs. Martha Washington gave this to Lady Hair, of Plattsburg, Pa., and her granddaughter, Mrs. Stone, presented it to Mrs. Whiting. A warming pan, a foot-stool for coals carried to church when there were no stoves and an astral lamp are only a few of this beautiful collection.

All are in a fine state of preservation and do not show that they have been used constantly for the past hundred years.