Spitzer, Frederic

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SPITZER, FREDERIC

SPITZER, FREDERIC (Samuel ; 1814–1890), Hungarian-born collector and dealer in paintings, armor, and objets d'art. Spitzer, son of a cemetery guard, began by selling a Duerer painting he bought cheaply in Italy while serving with the Austrian army in 1848. He later dealt in old weapons and armor. He settled in Paris and built up a magnificent collection which the French state offered to buy. Spitzer rejected this offer and the collection was sold after his death for ten million francs. The armor was purchased by King Edward vii.