Webster Portrait Given to College

Dartmouth's collection of Daniel Webster portraits was notably enriched by the gift of an oil painting of the famous statesman from William D. Blatner '05. The donor, who could not be present at 1905's 50th reunion banquet, was represented by Frederick Chase '05, from whom President Dickey officially accepted the picture on behalf of the College. The oil painting dates from about 1840.

In his presentation message, read by Mr. Chase, Mr. Blatner, who describes himself as "an antiquarian and book collector," stated in part:

"Some fifteen years ago ... I spotted an oil portrait of Daniel Webster, which had been purchased at an auction sale in Littleton, N. H. I acquired the portrait, had it repaired and recanvased and hung it over a cat-stone fireplace ... dated from the same period.... Mrs. Blatner and I felt that some day Daniel should return to the halls of his alma mater. So with the approach of the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1905, we decided to transfer our stewardship of the Webster portrait to Dartmouth College."

The artist is unknown, but his execution of this excellent likeness of Webster indicates that he was a gifted one.

Frederick Chase '05, who represented the donor, and President Dickey