3-053-780 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Le Fripier Espagnol", painted by Worms, from a photograph published by Messrs. Goupil and Co., 1873. 'A fripier - whence is derived, we suppose, the expressive English word "frippery" - is a dealer in secondhand articles, a broker, a pawnbroker, an old-clothes-man...The fripier's bodega is a fair sample of such places...Observe the crumpled garments hanging from the wall, the mute guitar, the empty birdcage, the picture, the metal and porcelain utensils and ornaments...The fripier evidently has that knowledge of human nature essential to success in his calling. With what assumption of honest pride does not the old fox point out the many merits of the secondhand jacket he has just tried on! "Is it not lovely?" "Does it not fit the senor's elegant figure beautifully?" "Is it not like giving away a jacket that would become any Don in the land to ask so low a price for it?" Such are the cajoleries which he addresses to the young fop's pretty, simple sweetheart. What can she say in reply? To criticise the garment might seem as though she found fault with the paragon who wears it - for he himself is plainly more than satisfied with it....' From "Illustrated London News", 1873.