STATUTES. 511 



9 & 10 Vict. Cap. 48. 



An Act for legalizing Art Unions. 

 Whereas certain voluntary associations have been and may 

 hereafter be formed in various parts of the United Kingdom, 

 under the name of Art Unions, for the purchase of paintings, 

 drawings, or other works of art, to be afterwards allotted and 

 distributed, by chance or otherwise, among the several mem- 

 bers, subscribers or contributors forming part of such associa- 

 tions, or for raising sums of money by subscription or contribu- 

 tion, to be allotted and distributed, by chance or otherwise, as 

 prizes, amongst the members, subscribers, or contributors form- 

 ing part of such associations, on the condition, nevertheless, 

 that such sums of money so allotted and distributed be ex- 

 pended solely and entirely in the purchase of paintings, draw- 

 ings or other works of art, and whereas such allotment and 

 distribution of paintings, drawings, or other works of art, or of 

 sums of money for their purchase, and the proceedings taken 

 to carry the same into effect, may be deemed and taken to 

 come within the provisions of the several Acts of Parliament 

 passed for the prevention of lotteries, littlegoes, and unlawful 

 games, whereby the members, subscribers, or contributors of 

 such associations as aforesaid, or persons acting under their 

 authority or on their behalf, may be liable or subjected to 

 certain pains and penalties imposed by law on persons concerned 

 in lotteries, littlegoes, and unlawful games : and whereas it is 

 expedient that all members of and subscribers and contributors 

 to such voluntary associations as aforesaid, and all persons 

 acting under their authority or on theii- behalf, so long only as 

 their proceedings are carried on in good faith for the en- 

 couragement of the fine arts, shall be discharged and protected 

 from any pains and penalties to which they may have rendered 

 theoiselves liable, or may hereafter render themselves liable, by 

 reason of any such their proceedings as aforesaid : be it enacted 

 by the queen's most excellent majesty, by and with the advice 

 and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, 

 in this present parliament assembled, and by the authority of 

 the same, That all such voluntary associations as aforesaid. Voluntary 

 now constituted, or which may hereafter be constituted accord- associations 

 ing to the provisions hereinafter contained, shall be deemed to f ™tjjg"^ ^ 

 be lawful associations ; and the members of and subscribers distribution of 

 and contributors to all such lawful associations, and all persons works of art 

 acting under their authority or on their behalf for the purposes J'y '''* deemed 

 aforesaid, shall be freed and discharged from all pains and ^^^^ J'royal 

 penalties, suits, prosecutions and liabilities, to which by law charter shall 

 they would be liable but for the passing of this Act, as have been 

 being concerned in illegal lotteries, littlegoes, or unlawful ^^^' obtained. 



