Saturday, March 3, 2012

When "Marble House" was For Sale

Country Life 1927



Note the coverings over the windows and doors.





Chinese Tea House in background.
 The house was sold to Frederick H. Prince in 1932.  It was purchased from the Prince estate by Alva Belmont's son, Harold S. Vanderbilt, who donated it to the the  Preservation Society of Newport County in 1963.


"Marble House" at wikimapia.org.

10 comments:

  1. The Down East DilettanteMarch 5, 2012 at 7:45 AM

    One tiny ad can give one so much to think about---like that there was one master bedroom up there on the third floor, hidden behind the balustrade. Also what a pity that the Chinese tea house had to be moved back from the cliff edge and that the retaining wall and terrace, with their attendant drama, were lost.

    I seem to remember reading somewhere years ago that after the Prince's purchased Marble House, they fitted up part of the 3rd floor as more informal living quarters. complete with Georgian woodwork, and that later that woodwork was sold to Oatsie Charles and used in her renovation of the former garage at Land's End.

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    Replies
    1. HalfPuddingHalfSauceMarch 5, 2012 at 8:01 AM

      Did the garage survive the demolition of Land's End?

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    2. The AncientMarch 5, 2012 at 9:36 AM

      HPHS --

      http://thedowneastdilettante.blogspot.com/2011/06/lands-end.html

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    3. The Down East DilettanteMarch 5, 2012 at 12:40 PM

      Last I knew, Land's End was still standing, as was the converted garage. Mrs. Charles is still standing, as well, somewhere between 90 and 100.

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    4. The Down East DilettanteMarch 5, 2012 at 1:08 PM

      Minor correction: The Prince estate did not give Marble House to the Preservation Society. It was purchased from the Prince estate by Alva Belmont's son, Harold S. Vanderbilt, who donated it to the society. I believe the Prince family may have donated some of the furnishings.

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    5. HalfPuddingHalfSauceMarch 6, 2012 at 5:23 AM

      Ah... that Land's End.

      According to... "The Preservation Society acquired the house in 1963 from the Prince estate." Further insight?

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    6. The Down East DilettanteMarch 9, 2012 at 8:13 AM

      Harold Vanderbilt provided the funding. Honest.

      Delete
  2. rcarneyOctober 29, 2012 at 2:28 PM

    Does anyone know what Harold paid to obtain Marble House in preparationn for its donation to the Preservation Society?

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  3. HalfPuddingHalfSauceOctober 29, 2012 at 4:17 PM

    I don't. Perhaps a question to the Preservation Society. If you find anything please post.

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  4. Khear@condo PhilippinesDecember 9, 2012 at 10:58 PM

    I just take a peek and I discovered your post. I find your post nice and I like the images you've shared with us. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete