The E.T. Stotesbury Guestbook

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roy sanders

I would like to view a catalog of the auction held by Samuel Freeman Co. in 1946. Can you tell me where to look for one?

11 January 2010 - houston texas

Webmaster comments You could try contacting Samuel Freeman Co. in Philadelphia, or you could see if your local public or University library has an interlibrary loan arrangement with some other library that has a copy available for loan.

--WCW

Cherish Shinners (Grand-daughter of Mary Stotesbury)

I did some research on Whitemarsh Hall a few years ago. I vaguely remember mention of a film company using the building and grounds for a b-movie, slasher film in the early 70's. Is this correct? If so, do you know the title of the film?

10 January 2010 - Lansdale, PA

Webmaster comments I have heard this same story but never have been able to substantiate it. About the same time this film was supposedly made, a man named Charles Riggs took a time lapse photograph of Whitemarsh Hall at night with lights or candles in each window. He also appeared in one of the windows, and the resulting photo was a very haunting image that he named "Midnight Ghosts at Stotesbury." This may have been the origin of the story about a movie having been made.

--WCW

Ward

How were you able to find the bed from El Mirasol? Any idea of where any other items from the Mizner designed home are? I know that all the contents of the house were auctioned off, do you have a copy of the auction catalog? Great website by the way!

14 December 2009

Webmaster comments Thank you. An acquaintance of ours who is a Stotesbury descendant owns the bed from El Mirasol. Most of the contents of the house were auctioned off on the premises in 1947 under the gavel of Samuel B. Freeman & Co. of Philadelphia. In the Patio restaurant in Vero Beach, Florida, the wall separating the main dining room from the bar is made from some of the garage doors from El Mirasol. The Driftwood Resort and Waldo's restaurant in Vero Beach also may have a mantelpiece and window grills from El Mirasol.

--WCW

Mike Roth

The 5th Nedeve Yacht has been sold to an owner in Germany. He will be restoring the vessel. A crew of 3 made the transit to Victoria B.C. from Westport after 3 hard days of systems repair. Even in her current condition she is a wonerful boat .

29 November 2009 - Port Townsend Wa

Webmaster comments Hooray!!!!!

Robert Harper

If you watch old episodes of "The Nanny", it looks like the Elizabeth-Louise Vigee LeBrun Self-Portrait is hanging on the stairway of the set.

19 November 2009 - Roslyn, PA

L. Kicey

I was discussing local historical architecture a few years back with my boss and he told be about exploring Whitemarsh Hall in his youth, curious I decided to check out the site and did a bit of photographing while I was there. I was interested in using the space for an editorial fashion shoot, but wasn't sure if there would be issues with being allowed to photograph on the property since I recalled having seen signs on later visits regarding the park being for residents of Stotesbury Estates only. I was not sure if that was strictly enforced or if anyone knew who I might contact about getting permission to shoot there. Any direction you could give me on who to speak to would be much appreciated!

26 October 2009 - Ambler PA

Webmaster comments You could try contacting the Springfield Township municipal offices in Wyndmoor in order to obtain the names of the officers of the homeowners association. Perhaps they could help you. Good luck!

--WCW

Terry Hunter jr.

I am a descendent of John Stables and would like to know if there is any way that I could see any kind of a print or anything like that of the paintings of John Stables in Color. I am desirous of knowing the actual color of the Uniforms he was wearing in the paintings. I would also like to know where the paintings are currently located. Can you also tell me in the paintings the color of his hair, eyes, and skintone. I will greatly appreciate any information you can provide me. Thank You Terry Hunter Jr.

4 October 2009 - Clinton, Oklahoma, United States

Webmaster comments Unfortunately, I do not have a color photo of the 1777 Romney portrait of Captain John Stables. The most recent record I have is that it was sold by Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc. in New York at public auction on Thursday, October 22, 1970 for $35,000, presumably to a private collector. The previous owner had been the estate of the late Mrs. A. Hamilton Rice.

The Parke-Bernet catalogue described the portrait as follows: "Three-quarter length in scarlet uniform coat, trimmed in green and gold, buff waistcoat and breeches, holding his sword reversed under his left arm," with a note stating that John Stables (1744-1796) was a Director of the East India Company and a member of the Supreme Council of Calcutta.

The James St. L. O'Toole Galleries catalogue of the Stotesbury collection (1941) described the 50 x 40 inch portrait as follows: "This fine soldierly figure is shown in three-quarter pose, facing slightly to the right. He wears the red coat of the active service, showing on the sleeve the three buttons of his captain's rank, the coat is close to the chest and then hanging open showing a buff waistcoat with brass buttons. His right hand is in the trouser pocket and he holds in his left arm the sheath of his sword, held by the left hand at the hilt in a natural and engaging posture."

--WCW

E. Renz

Recently found a very badly rusted but still fairly heavy placard on the side of a railroad embankment in Asheville, NC. It's about 9 1/2" across, and upon cleaning it was able to make out; "E.T. STOTESBURY, TRUSTED OWNER." Safe bet it fell off a train car at some point in history, but I know nothing else about it.

8 September 2009 - Asheville, NC

Webmaster comments What a great find!! Commencing in at least as early as 1899, E.T. Stotesbury began to serve as lessor and trustee for various multi-million dollar equipment leases to a number of railroads, including the Reading Co, the Chesapeake & Ohio, the Southern Railway Company, the Erie Railroad, and the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. Such leases were then assigned to insurance or trust companies. Although the agreements never mentioned it, it is probable that Stotesbury was acting for a syndicate sponsored by Drexel & Co. in these transactions. Your plaque is surely a souvenir off of one of these railroad cars.

--WCW

Racquel Pasquelucci

What is the value of the Nedeva china made for the yacht by Lenox. Is something like that worth a lot?

6 September 2009

Webmaster comments I do not know how much any pieces of yacht Nedeva china would sell for these days, as they are rare and typically cherished by family members or descendants/friends of former employees. It would be interesting to see what would happen if a piece came up for auction on eBay! After all, the silver ladle from the Nedeva sold for $504.99 in 2007!

--WCW

Vincent Grannetino

I understand that there was a painting commisioned of Eva Stotesbury. Is there any record of its whereabouts or an image of it available online or anywhere to see?

30 September 2008 - Philadelphia, PA

Webmaster comments Eva Stotesbury had several portraits painted of her in her lifetime, and there are three of which I have definite knowledge.

In 1926, art dealer Joseph Duveen commissioned the artist Douglas Chandor to make a pastel portrait of Eva wearing her famous emeralds. Duveen then presented the portrait to Mr. Stotesbury as a Christmas gift. Eva was so pleased with the likeness that she had photographs made of it, which she inscribed and gave to close friends and family members. The original portrait has stayed in the family. You can see a picture of it on page 15 of "The Twilight of Splendor" by James T. Maher (Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1975), photograph number four in "The Grandes Dames" by Stephen Birmingham (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1982), and page 31 of "Palm Beach Entertains" by the Junior League of the Palm Beaches, Inc. (1976).

An earlier portrait of Eva was painted in Paris by Francois Flameng in 1912, the year of her marriage to E.T. Stotesbury. It hung first in the Stotesbury's townhouse at 1925 Walnut Street and then in the second floor Gallery Hall at Whitemarsh Hall. The latest information that I have is that it most recently was the property of a lady in Philadelphia. You can see an image of it on page 56 of the book "Whitemarsh Hall: The Estate of Edward T. Stotesbury," published in 2004 by Edward and Charles Zwicker and the Springfield Township Historical Society as part of Arcadia Publishing's "Images of America" series.

The Polish artist Joseph Sigall painted Eva Stotesbury's portrait in 1927, but I do not know where it is now.

I heard that several years ago, an unfinished portrait of Eva was on display at a decorators' showcase house in the Philadelphia area. Yet another portrait supposedly hung at one time in the window of an antique shop in Delray Beach, Florida.

I would love to hear from anyone who has seen these or any other portraits of Eva Stotesbury.

--WCW

christine

what role did ET Stotesbury/the stotesbury family have in the ownership of Northwestern Stables or in the Riders and Drivers of the Wissahickon? My understanding is that Strawbridge owned the stables and sold it to the Fairmount Park commission.

17 September 2008 - phila, pa

Webmaster comments I have yet to come across any connection E.T. Stotesbury may have had with Northwestern Stables. Perhaps the Fairmount Park archives hold the answer. Stotesbury's horses were stabled at his Winoga Stock Farm, a forty-acre property at East and Mermaid Lanes in Springfield Township. After his death in 1938, the land was sold to the federal government and became the Eastern Regional Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture. Stotesbury was an honorary President of the Philadelphia Riders and Drivers Association and served as President of the Commissioners of Fairmount Park in Philadelphia from 1912 until his death.

--WCW

BLH

Any news on Lynnewood Hall??????????????

5 August 2008 - Mi.

Webmaster comments Lynnewood Hall, the magnificent Trumbauer mansion built for P.A.B. Widener, is still standing, although it is in need of a lot of attention. It currently is owned by a New York-based church.

--WCW

Tracey Jane Stotesbury

Hi, I have grown up and cherish the fact that I have always been a 'stotesbury' . I am based in the UK and now I am married to a 'Butcher'! It is really weird to go onto the internet and find that mine is not the first union of a 'stotesbury' - 'butcher' partnership. I would be really keen to learn more and be very interested in the book when it comes out. I would be grateful if anyone could let me know and is there a 'Stotesbury' coat of arms? Look forward to hearing from someone soon, Tracey

29 April 2008 - UK - Berkshire

Jon Christopher

I have become crazy about this house. it started out with the photo from " Philadelphia the and now". then I purchased the book "Whitemarsh Hall". How the hell did people let this house go??? I don't understand why there wasn't a foundation set up. my god, the people that stayed here. I'm gonna post my email so if anyone wants to give me any Information or contact me.I can't wait to read Ned's Biography. The pictures alone are so interesting, I can't imagine reading about his entire life. this should dead become a movie. but can you imagine building a set that looks like WMH??? jonchristopher+at sign+comcast dot net

21 April 2008 - Philadelphia, Pa

Jon Christopher

21 April 2008 - Philadelphia, Pa

jsfmt99

Thanks for whoever posted the link to my youtube video about Whitemarsh Hall on this site. I have vivid memories of exploring the mansion and the underground basements. In the basements we found the bowling alley, a coal car on the tracks, the giant boilers and the wine area. I remember clearly the window moldings, the detail in the woodcarvings surrounding each window. That 80-foot tunnel under the main garden fountain lead into a huge room beneath it. One of the elevators was stuck in-between floors and one of my friends slid down the elevator cable from the second floor all the way down to the basement. A few of my relatives worked for the Stotesbury’s during the depression and they were treated very well by them. My piece of the mansion in my youtube video was from one of the archway windows. It saddens me that it is all gone.

2 December 2007 - Wyncote, Pa

BLH

Check out the Whitemarsh Hall Youtube video.

31 October 2007 - Somewhere,Mi

Webmaster comments Cool! This video can be viewed at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdoB9xpB46s

--WCW

Jane Masterson

My grandfather, John F. Masterson, was part owner and Secretary of New York Yacht, Launch & Engine Co. I visited the Shorleave in Sept. 2002 at Dock Street Yachts in Seattle, WA. It was up for sale but needed extensive work. The owner was an elderly man, in poor health, who had lived aboard for many years. the Shorleave was looking for a wooden boat lover with the means to return her to her original beauty. Fortunately there are about 10 other NYY, L & E yachts that are loved and maintained by true wooden boat lovers

21 September 2007 - Punta Gorda, FL.

FM Sherman

Grew up on Stotesbury Road in the 70's just down the hill from the then decaying mansion. Still have a few hazy memories of actually exploring inside Whitemarsh Hall, specifically remembering the black and white marble floor in the foyer.

20 July 2007 - Now Los Angeles, CA

William C Near ( William Earl Stotesbury Jr. )

I have read the many articles I could find about Mr Stotesbury and it is overwhelming. So many great achievements and such a total diminishment at the end. It is only a flash and we are no more. But still it all has to be. Always your friend

24 June 2007 - Richmond Virginia

BLH

Check out wikimapia-dot-org for maps using Google Earth showing location of their homes includung MARLY wherer Eva lived after Edward's death.

26 May 2007 - Somewhere,Mi

Webmaster comments Thanks for this valuable and helpful information! For those new to wikimapia.org, type the word Stotesbury into the search box and links to these sites will appear. I have added the location of a still-standing wall fountain from El Mirasol to the Palm Beach map.

--WCW

Barbara Stotesbury (Dabroski)

I was delighted to see that a "family tree" is forthcoming. My father is Edward C. Stotesbury and I've long wondered just what the connection, if any, was.

16 May 2007 - Fort Myers, FL 33912

Kristine McGuigan

My great grandfather - Arthur Clyde Laird - was the head electrician at Whitemarsh Hall until his death in January of 1938 - the same year that ET passed away. The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 occurred during the contruction of Whitemarsh Hall. Mr. Stotesbury sent machinery from the job site to nearby Holy Sepulcher Cemetary, next door to what is now Arcadia University. When Penn Salt (now Alcoa) purchased the house, they had laboratories set up in the ballroom. My Aunt was a science for Penn Salt and worked in the house during that time. Whitemarsh Hall, as well as all the homes built by Horace Trumbauer, was a wonderland. It is a terrible shame the building couldn't be saved.

1 May 2007 - Havertown, PA

christine

I am interested in the section on 'horses'. I am the co-chair of the wissahickon day parade, a tradition that was started during Stotesbury's lifetime. How was he involved with this? I would like to contact any of his direct relatives to see if they are available to present awards during the event. Many thanks

24 January 2007 - phila pa

Webmaster comments As President of the Philadelphia Road Drivers Association, E.T. Stotesbury enjoyed driving his trotters through the Wissahickon Glen. In the May 17, 1938 Philadelphia Inquirer (the day after Stotesbury died), there is a rather lengthy article entitled "Stotesbury, Noted Banker, Is Dead at 89." It begins on page one and continues on page six. Buried near the bottom of page six is the following:

"Even in later years, when increasing age and business responsibilities denied him active participation in the hunt meets and horse shows of the vicinity, Mr. Stotesbury indicated his partiality for 'man's noblest animal friend' by making vigorous protest to the opening of the Fairmount Park bridle paths to motor vehicles. It was partly due to his intervention that the extension of motorists' privileges to those leafy lanes along the winding Wissahickon was denied."

--WCW

John M. McNulty

Philadelphia and Reading Railway, later Reading Company, business car # 10 was named "Reading" when it was owned by the P&R and the Reading. When the Strasburg Rail Road purchased the car in the early 1960's they renamed it "Paradise" and repainted it in their paint scheme. In recent years the car has been repainted in its original Philadelphia and Reading Railway paint scheme and once again carries the name "Reading".

12 January 2007 - Glenside, PA