tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post2210959585746108446..comments2024-03-25T05:06:18.799-04:00Comments on Half Pudding Half Sauce: "Beetlehead's" 640 Fifth AveuneHalfPuddingHalfSaucehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05322213537553774149noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-43987239124768430042020-04-23T15:24:50.132-04:002020-04-23T15:24:50.132-04:00A marvelous retrospective of an opulent by-gone er...A marvelous retrospective of an opulent by-gone era of New York's Fifth Avenue.<br />I have prints that date from 1884 of the interiors of 640 Fifth Avenue.<br />I have so enjoyed reading the above descriptions. Thank you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03130967781025924027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-83194659909427523982018-11-21T18:19:54.975-05:002018-11-21T18:19:54.975-05:00Fantastic read. Thank you!
While photos of the Tr...Fantastic read. Thank you!<br /><br />While photos of the Trumbauer rooms are available, I have never come across a floor plan after Grace’s re-do. Do you know if they exist?<br /><br />Thank you!JohnnyMachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05295815043082090136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-22809059740814881172015-11-25T14:49:02.991-05:002015-11-25T14:49:02.991-05:00There is often a request for a plan of this extrao...There is often a request for a plan of this extraordinary house. Has anyone tried to construct one? The measurements given above (with all due respect to our indefatigable and learned host!) do not add up to a 115 x 80' foot print, the main problem being a vast 60'x40' hall centred on the drawing-room doors. Has anyone solved the problem? Are there plans in the City Architect's department? Did Mr V have to get a building permit??!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15068840602443958297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-2920859758079769772015-11-12T09:42:57.004-05:002015-11-12T09:42:57.004-05:00"These windows were removed in 1890 by Edith ..."These windows were removed in 1890 by Edith Vanderbilt and shipped to Biltmore. They remained in storage until one of them - that of the middle level, depicting hospitality and prosperity was placed on display at the Biltmore Legacy center in Antler Hill Village, the new entertainment, dining and shopping green on the estate." I believe Biltmore says that the windows were removed during the Cornelius Vanderbilt III renovation in 1915-17...Grace wrote the widowed Edith Vanderbilt and said she had no use for them and would Edith like them crated and send down to Biltmore, which was done. There they remained in storage until the Winery opened in 1985. Displayed over the entrance for awhile, until Biltmore noticed their marked deterioration and so they were removed and conserved. That is how they got to the Village after it opened, where there is very little natural light in the room they are displayed. Great article, refer back to it frequently and thanks... <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-11362969670370414522014-09-18T14:30:09.235-04:002014-09-18T14:30:09.235-04:00I love just about everything victorian. It's ...I love just about everything victorian. It's a shame so much of it is being destroyed. Not only is it beautiful, but it is part of our heritage. Just like the old windmills on the farms across America. They are just part of our country. Love all the pictures and history.oldmovies3https://www.blogger.com/profile/04908469296324049260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-62014820934010501882014-06-01T14:15:22.392-04:002014-06-01T14:15:22.392-04:00If your able to read this link - http://issuu.com/...If your able to read this link - http://issuu.com/acanthus_press/docs/great_houses_ny - it has a "key" showing a number of the mansions.HalfPuddingHalfSaucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322213537553774149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-46128638415370977642014-05-31T21:43:41.478-04:002014-05-31T21:43:41.478-04:00Is there a gilded age street map showing the Vande...Is there a gilded age street map showing the Vanderbilt (and perhaps other tycoon) residences along fifth avenue?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-54482157731067462502014-02-04T15:30:57.985-05:002014-02-04T15:30:57.985-05:00Anyone have any floor plans for the house?Anyone have any floor plans for the house?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-52926498903330232962013-12-08T05:46:00.121-05:002013-12-08T05:46:00.121-05:00Thanks so much for this page! The images are reall...Thanks so much for this page! The images are really helpful. Just a small nitpick -the duc du Maine was Louis XIV's illegitimate (then legitimized, then un-legitimized) son, not his grandson! Kelseynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-10372837756470341502013-03-22T10:39:37.592-04:002013-03-22T10:39:37.592-04:00Very well done, i too had not seen all of those im...Very well done, i too had not seen all of those images having only gotten my hands on Strahan's book once. Thanks for the cross-post!Patrick Sheehanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11237658330558641719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-20674631875664558932012-07-05T08:49:40.880-04:002012-07-05T08:49:40.880-04:00Amazing.
Several years ago, a dealer was offerin...Amazing. <br /><br />Several years ago, a dealer was offering that small chair in the forefront of the photo of the Drawing Room. It was a diminutive thing, almost like a ballroom chair, but astonishingly carved- and inlaid with mother-of.pearl panels. I think the dealer was asking over $100,000 for it. <br /><br />Even if not to your taste, it was an astonishing house. Thank you for the post. Really well done.magnushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09181183756484194127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-74029495593495669612012-01-17T07:06:38.883-05:002012-01-17T07:06:38.883-05:00I can't ever look at Vanderbilt houses without...I can't ever look at Vanderbilt houses without remembering the Commodore's deathbed admonition to his eldest son (and principal heir): "Keep the money together!"<br /><br />I wonder, is the rubble from the Vanderbilt houses all in one place? Back in Staten Island maybe?The Ancienthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11662492574558280077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-70065756701464665722012-01-06T07:48:32.332-05:002012-01-06T07:48:32.332-05:00Its well documented the makeover done by Trumbauer...Its well documented the makeover done by Trumbauer for Grace Vanderbilt but not much mention of the complete redo done by Frick. The above "10-year lease" link relates that story. I added a photo showing a new entry door into the Drawing-room. All that beautiful work was destroyed. Have never seen photos of the inside after that redo.HalfPuddingHalfSaucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322213537553774149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-25698615653009645722012-01-03T10:13:18.151-05:002012-01-03T10:13:18.151-05:00My first print purchase, as a teenager, was a colo...My first print purchase, as a teenager, was a color plate of the Drawing Room. At the time, had begun studying the Italianate and Grecian Revivals as an extension of the strict classicism that I previously favored exclusively. It was the gallery painted on the cove ceiling that really attracted me. <br /><br />I am in agreement with the 1881 criticism of the exterior architecture. I had thought of it primarily as a covering for the interior decoration. And now knowing the extent of Herter influence, it makes sense.John J. Tacketthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17138329330942154191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-54301522948064016702012-01-02T23:24:50.247-05:002012-01-02T23:24:50.247-05:00HPHS -
Wow - so much to take in (both in this hous...HPHS -<br />Wow - so much to take in (both in this house and in your post)! There are like five posts to digest here. Have never seen a floor plan of this house, so thanks for your careful directions. Have never seen these color plates either, which are great! Personally, however, I prefer the interiors after the Trumbauer renovations for C.V. III (well, actually, probably for Mrs. C.V.III). <br /><br />And the neighborhood info. is great too. Happy New Year!ChipSFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06533749227364674468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6048968877751194418.post-4698342662614467052012-01-02T15:10:26.387-05:002012-01-02T15:10:26.387-05:00I can't remember seeing those color plates bef...I can't remember seeing those color plates before. They "explain" the rooms in a way B&W photographs never can.<br /><br />See, for example:<br /><br />http://www.sil.si.edu/imagegalaxy/imageGalaxy_MoreImages.cfm?book_id=39088007140114The Ancienthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11662492574558280077noreply@blogger.com