Wright Chat

Rare photos reveal scenes from Frank Lloyd Wright’s pre-fire dwellings


David

A very interesting story. I find it further interesting to note the following:

Our own Paul Ringstrom was the one who sounded the first alarm regarding the Taliesin photos for sale on Ebay. He contacted the right Wright people, and got the word out about this collection that was in danger of being scattered to the four winds. And the rest is now good history.

Our own Randolph C. Henning is the author of the new book about Taliesin, as seen through vintage postcards that offer heretofore unseen views of the earliest days of this edifice. BTW, this is not Mr. Henning's first published work on FLW, as most here know.

I'm not sure who finally snagged the postcard on Ebay of Taliesin I post-fire referred to in the story, but my best guess is that it was either our own Pat Mahoney (our moderator), or Mr. Henning. Can Pat or Randolph confirm or deny my suspicions?

The newspaper article linked to in this thread was written by our own Ron McCrea, who not only authored this article, but apparently has an upcoming book on the centennial of Taliesin as well.

The point of this lengthy post is to point out the incredible depth of knowledge and talent in the field of FLW studies that is represented among the members of this chat board. I am happy to be a part of such an esteemed group, and I learn something new here almost every day.

As imperfect as this venue is, it is still very special. I'm sure most frequent visitors and contributors here feel much the same way.

Huzzah. And while we're at it, we should thank our own TnGuy, David, and our resident Wrightgeek, for their inimitable contributions to the Wright Chat community. Both of these esteemed members scour the world beyond our immediate borders in search of news, images, and other sources that are of meaning and use to Wright Chat members. A tip of the WC hat (if I may make so bold) to them both !


SDR

Thanks to TnGuy for finding and posting the link to my review. I was told it wouldn't be available until tomorrow, so this is a nice surprise. BTW, the headline in the online version is the deck to my headline for the print version, "Taliesin's postcard memories." (Yes, I am a full-service reviewer and suggest my own headlines. No modesty among us.)

First, thanks to all who facilitated the preservation of these images.

Second, the photo posted in the article is striking on several levels. It documents the condition of the ruined living room (the fireplace is visible up the hill; the people are standing at what would be the spaces beneath), and it documents what a circus FLLW's life had become, and the twisted curiosities of the public. There are many who would say the morals of our present day society have slipped, and we are obsessed with the misfortunes of celebrities; but consider what went on in August 1914. Can you imagine the public just wandering through the unstable/unsafe ruins of a burned out private house, a crime scene no less, with personal possessions likely still present in less damaged portions, taking pictures like tourists on holiday to be sold as post cards!? The picture is at once tragic and perverse.

I'll echo the kudos and congrats. Great work all around and a good ending and preservation of vital history.

If you're looking for another way to serve the cause, Jack Holzhueter is now trying to raise $5,000 to purchase an album of 500 photos of Hillside Home School for the Wisconsin Historical Society. Jack says the album includes many remarkable interiors. He has already raised $1,500 and the seller has given him some more time to raise the rest.

It would make another nice centennial display item at the Visitors' Center, I'd guess, with prominent credit given. And a tax deduction.

Jack is at [email protected].

I have just posted a review of Randy Henning's book to wrightinracine.com

Mark Hertzberg

Thank you all for the supportive words and positive reaction to the new book. I am overall quite pleased with the outcome and, of course, hope others will agree. Regarding the postcard that sold recently on eBay, I wish I had been able to include that in the book as well but until the eBay auction I had never seen it. It is one from the same series of several that I have included. I was not the successful bidder. In fact I didn't even venture a bid for this one as it quickly grew beyond the realm of my discretionary funds. I have heard that the postcard will be added to the postcard exhibit at the Taliesin Visitor's Center that will be hung during the month of May.

One thing I did want to say regarding the book, I made a concerted effort to minimize emphasis on the typical Taliesin distinctions (i.e. Taliesin I, Taliesin II, Taliesin III). I certainly understand why they exist but I am one who thinks they sometimes inadvertently misplace focus and somewhat cloud the true reality that Taliesin was an ever changing multi-use building complex (home, studio, farm, etc.) since inception and not all of which twice burnt to the ground. And I appreciate Ron McCrae's observation regarding my not including images of the modern day Taliesin. Given a limit on the number of postcards that could be included (dictated by the publisher) I chose to include the more vintage versus more recent modern era postcards.

Searching for something else, I found this site. There are some interesting recent photos of crannies and corners I haven't seen, as well as, some older familiar ones. The photographer is Christopher Gideon.

/www.pushpullbar.com/forums/showthread ... 6f56d12a0f

I believe that next year, 2012 Taliesin West will celebrate 75 years, if you use 1937 as the initial build date, so it's a tremendous time for more and more information to be discovered.

I have been a long time reader and follower and occasional contributor to this, the best forum on the internet regarding all things FLW and Organic. As many have stated, every day I can add to my knowledge bank.

The close-up (near the bottom of the page) of the "steeple" on the circular stone structure at Midway Barns, decorated with painted toilet tank floats is interesting. I've never seen it that close before.

...the circular stone structure at Midway Barns, decorated with painted toilet tank floats is interesting.

Found objects on a Wright building? Was FllW getting his Goff on?