Seventeen

In art there may be prodigies, but in business there is only hard-headed experience. When George Joseph Demotte, noted art dealer of Manhattan and Paris died accidentally while hunting in France, he left several unfinished libel suits (TIME, Dec. 17), a well grounded reputation, a $2,000,000 art business, and a son of 17.

Several weeks ago Lucien J. Demotte, the son, came to this country, and announced that his father's business had been incorporated, that he had been made President of the company, and would take active charge of the business. One so young!

Last week Demotte fils sailed for France leaving behind a trail of contradicting rumors. Apparently the youthful Demotte had been dethroned from his place at the head of his firm. Mitchell Kennerley, head of the Anderson Galleries, said simply that Mrs. Demotte had called her son to her and that he might never return. Meanwhile the administrator of the Demotte Estate has the authority and the responsibility of managing the great art business.