The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware  19735

Telephone: 302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:         Trowbridge & Livingston                              

Title:               Trevor residence file

Dates:             1909-1910

Call No.:         Col. 74

Acc. No.:        89x40

Quantity:        3 folders (52 items)

Location:        34 K 3

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

Trowbridge & Livingston was an architectural firm with offices at Fifth Avenue and 44th Street in New York City in the early 1900s.  The partners were Breck Trowbridge (Samuel Breck Parkman Trowbridge, 1862–1925) and Goodhue Livingston (1867-1951).  The firm was established in 1894.  Noted for its Beaux Arts style, among the firm’s major commissions were the B. Altman department store (1905) and the Oregon Capitol (1938).   They also built New York City townhouses for wealthy clients.  Both partners had studied at Columbia University.  In addition, Trowbridge had studied at L’Ecole des Beaux- Arts in Paris and had worked under George B. Post.  Trowbridge was later appointed chairman of the National Council of Fine Arts by President Theodore Roosevelt.

 

John Bond Trevor (1878-1956) was a lawyer in New York City.  He was the son of Emily Norwood (1841-1917) and John Bond Trevor (1822-1890).  Before the younger John Trevor was born, his parents built a stately mansion, Glenview, in Yonkers, New York.  John and his older siblings, Henry, Mary, and Emily, were raised here.  (Glenview is now a museum.)  The widowed Emily Norwood Trevor later acquired a house on 37th Street in New York City.   The younger John Bond Trevor was educated at Harvard and Columbia University Law School, graduating from there in 1906.  In 1908, he married Caroline Murray Wilmerding (1882-1975).  They had two sons: John Bond (born 1909) and Bronson (born 1910).  Son John Bond Trevor (1909-2006) published a family history in 1983.

 

The Trevor home at 11 East 91st Street in New York City still stands.  The exterior is little changed from its original appearance.

 

Gerald Arthur Letts was a cabinetmaker in London.  Born in 1870, he was the son of Almeria Rose (Minnie) Towne and the Reverend John Davis Letts.  He also worked for his brother Sydney Edward Letts (1868-1940), an antiques dealer in London.  (Sydney’s name is spelled Sidney on the letter in this collection.)  Gerald Letts had been in New York on business for his brother in the spring of 1915, and boarded the Lusitania to return to England.  He lost his life when that ship was torpedoed by a German submarine.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

Consists of letters, photographs, and estimates, all relating to the construction of a residence for Mr. John B. Trevor at 11 East 91st Street in New York.  The photographs are of ornate mantels offered by Gerald A. Letts of London, England.  Of particular interest are an estimate for plumbing fixtures for kitchen, bathrooms, and other rooms; an estimate for electrical lighting fixtures, which, floor by floor, names the rooms, halls, stairs, closets, and storage areas in the house; and a list of electric bells and where they are to ring.  Construction had not yet been completed at the end of 1910, when the contents of the file break off.

 

           

ORGANIZATION

 

The items are in chronological order, with photographs at the end.

 

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

Collection is open to the public.  Copyright restrictions may apply.

           

 

PROVENANCE

 

Purchased from Scott Petersen.

 

 

RELATED MATERIALS

 

Katherine C. Moore’s Trowbridge & Livingston Research Files are held by the Avery Library at Columbia University.  These files contain additional material on the Trevor residence.

 

Papers related to John Bond Trevor’s political activities are held by the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan.

           

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

People:
                       
Trevor, John B. (John Bond), 1878-1956.

            Trowbridge, Breck (Samuel Breck Parkman), 1862-1925.

            Livingston, Goodhue, 1867-1951.

            Letts, Gerald A. (Gerald Arthur), 1870-1915.

 

Topics:

Edw. F. Caldwell & Co.

Meyer-Sniffen Company.

           

Electric bells.

Electric light fixtures.

Electric wiring, Interior.

House construction - New York (State) - New York.

            Mantels.

            Mantels – Photographs.

            Plumbing fixtures.

Safes.

           

Photoprints.

            Letters.

            Estimates.

            Architects.

            Contractors.

            Bidders.

           

 

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location: 34 K 3

 

 

Note: all accession numbers begin with 89x40

 

Folder 1:

 

            .1a-b    letter, with envelope: [illegible] Trevor, 21 East 37th St., to John B. Trevor, Hotel Plaza, New York City, April 28, 1909.   [Handwriting difficult to read.]  Mentions lot on 91st Street, something about securities, a rug, and Emily.

 

            .2         cablegram, from American Museum of Natural History Congo Expedition, Leopoldville, [Belgian Congo], to the museum, July 21, 1909.  Coded message, with translation: “Everything satisfactorily arranged.  All well.”

 [Trevor eventually became a trustee of the museum, although it is not known if he were a trustee in 1909.]

 

            .3         letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, Plaza Hotel, Sept. 22, 1909.  Have contracted for materials to be used in mason work (includes prices): brick, lime, Portland cement, sand, broken stone.

 

.4         Meyer-Sniffen Company, manufacturers and importers of fine plumbing fixtures, New York City, Dec. 8, 1909.  List of fixtures to be provided for Trevor residence.  Mentions these rooms: kitchen, house maid’s closets, servants’ and hall toilets, butler’s pantry, several bathrooms, maids’ closet, laundry.  Describes sinks, drain boards, water closets, lavatories, bathtubs.  (No prices listed.)

 

.5         dimensions of mantels in reception, dining, and drawing rooms, library, and four chambers.  No prices.  Jan. 20, 1910

 

.6         list of location of bells and where they are to sound.  Also note about fire escape and a change in window design.  Jan. 22, 1910.

 

.7         letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, Wall Street, Jan. 24, 1910.  Enclosing dimensions of mantels and list of notes made last Saturday.  [the two enclosed documents are .5 and .6 above]. 

 

.8         letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, Wall Street, Jan. 8, 1910.  About awarding of contract for carpenter work; they advise hiring George Mulligan Co.  [see .18 for bids]

 

.18       rough carpentry bids, from several companies.  No date, but see .8 for letter about these bids.

 

.9         note, Gerald A. Letts for Sidney [sic] E. Letts, New York City, to John Trevor, Jan. 17, 1910.  “Prices of furniture under discussion”: dining chairs, dining table, sideboard, side tables, corner cabinet, gun cabinet, a pair of cabinets, and a Carlton writing table.  Some of the pieces are described.

 

.10       addendum to above, dated Feb. 15 and 17.  Includes sofa and marble mantelpiece.

 

.11       letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, March 16, 1910.  Estimates for two elevators, with recommendation for Otis Elevator Co.

 

.12       letter, Gerald A. Letts, London, to John B. Trevor, March 21, 1910.  About mantelpieces. 

[In this letter, Letts mentioned a mantel with a monkey panel; acc. 89x40.48 is a photo of this mantel.]

 

.13       bill, from S. E. Letts, for marble mantelpiece purchased by Trevor, March 30, 1910.  [see also .27]

 

.14-15  letter, Gerald A. Letts, London, to John B. Trevor, March 31, 1910.  About mantelpieces.

 

.16       letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, April 2, 1910.  Have persuaded Wm. H. Jackson Co. to lower price of tilework.  In about 2 weeks, temporary stairs should be in place so Mrs. Trevor can inspect upper floors.  Would like to discuss drainage with him.

 

.17       prices of mantels from the Wm. H. Jackson Co., April 28, 1910.  Includes marble mantels, paneled hearths, iron frames and linings, and soapstone rear hearths.

 

.19       letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, April 29, 1910.  Encloses illustrations for mantels for bedrooms [no longer present], and list of prices from Wm. H. Jackson Co. [see .17 above].

 

 

Folder 2:

 

            .20       letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, May 5, 1910.  Various matters which they need to discuss, including location of picture circuit outlet, decision on mantels, mirror doors, special shelving in kitchen and pantry, protection of windows, and radiators.

 

            .21       letter, Peet & Powers, [electrical contractors,] to Trowbridge & Livingston, May 7, 1910.  About installation of night lights.

 

            .22-.23             letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, May 10, 1910.  About the night lights [see .21 above] and need to make decisions about mantels.

 

            .24       copy of letter, from unknown person to Gerald A. Letts, London, May 14, 1910.  About the marble mantelpieces.

 

            .25       cable message, from Letts, London, to Trevor, May 27, [1910.]  Am shipping mantels.

 

            .26       letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, May 27, 1910.  Includes estimates of carpenter and cabinet work, and need to select one soon; recommends Schaettler.  Have also invited Marcotte, and Pottier & Stymus to submit bids.  Have hardware for the Trevors to examine.

 

            .27       bill, from S. E. Letts, for marble mantelpiece purchased by Trevor, June 4, 1910.  [see also .13]

 

            .28       letter, J. Weymer, New York City, representing Sydney E. Letts of London, to Mr. Trevor, June 8, 1910.  About a misunderstanding between Trevor and Letts about mantelpieces.

 

            .29       Edwd. F. Caldwell & Co., to Trowbridge & Livingston, June 8, 1910: estimate of lighting fixtures for Trevor residence.  Names floor levels, rooms, and other spaces.  Includes cellar (wood room, wine room, elevator machinery, boiler room, etc.), basement (servants’ hall, closets, kitchen, lift, water closet, etc.), 1st floor (vestibule, hall, reception and dining rooms, toilet), 2d floor (library, drawing room, stairs, closet, etc.), 3d floor (chambers, closets, bathrooms, halls), 4th floor (same spaces as 3d floor, with addition of sewing room), 5th floor (servants’ rooms and bath, closets), and pent house (laundry, tank room, hall, stairs).

 

            .30       letter, Gerald A. Letts, London, to John B. Trevor, June 20, 1910.  About mantelpieces and a mistake on Weymer’s part.

 

            .31       letter, Edwd. F. Caldwell & Co., makers of gas & electric light fixtures, [etc.], New York City, to Trowbridge & Livingston, June 23, 1910.  Have ordered lighting fixtures for Trevor’s residence.  Need color of silk to be used on dressing table fixtuers.

 

            .32       letter, J. Weymer, New York City, representing Sydney E. Letts of London, to Mr. Trevor, Bar Harbor, Maine, June 28, 1910.  About glass doors made by Mr. Letts for a gun case.

 

            .33       letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, Bar Harbor, July 25, 1910.  Have received estimate from Batterson & Eisele about installing marble mantels which are at Weymer’s.

 

            .34       letter, J. Weymer, New York City, representing Sydney E. Letts of London, to Mr. Trevor, Bar Harbor, Maine, August 12, 1910.  Needs check to pay for duties on furniture shipped by Mr. Letts.

 

            .35       letter, J. B. Trevor, Bar Harbor, to Mr. J. Weymer, agent for S. Letts, Aug. 14, 1910.  [written in pencil and a little faded.]  About the duty charges; also the furniture was not to be delivered until the house was ready later in the year.

 

            .36       letter, Gerald A. Letts, London, to John B. Trevor, Sept. 2, 1910.  Workshop was destroyed by fire.  All furniture being made for Trevor, except for dining room chairs and gun cabinet, were lost.  Will try to have his furniture ready by late November/early December.  Can loan Trevor furniture, if needed, until Trevor’s order is ready.

 

            .37       letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, Bar Harbor, Sept. 2, 1910.  Enclosing pictures of iron linings for fireplaces [pictures no longer present], but advise use or brick instead.

 

            .38       letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, Bar Harbor, Sept. 9, 1910.  Estimates for silver and jewelry safes, and advise accepting that of Remington & Sherman Co.  Describes the safes.

 

            .39       letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, Hotel Plaza, Oct. 17, 1910.  Have authorized J.S. Kelly to paint exposed brick and chimney.

 

            .40       letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, Hotel Plaza, Oct. 17, 1910.  Have authorized F. Schaettler to do some carpentry work on trim.

 

            .41       letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, Oct. 26, 1910.  Have authorized Wm. H. Jackson Co. to set Bostwick folding gates in the windows.

 

            .42       letter, Robert Winthrop & Co., Wall Street, New York, to John Trevor, Nov. 29, 1910.  Will pay the bill of Gerald A. Letts, and include it as part of cost of construction.

 

            .43       letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, Dec. 19, 1910.  Includes estimates for painting brick walls and for covering hot water heater and flue and dryer stove flue.

 

            .44       letter, Trowbridge & Livingston, New York City, to John B. Trevor, Dec. 22, 1910.  Have authorized Edwn. F. Caldwell & Co. to install light fixtures in stair halls.

 

 

Folder 3: photographs

 

            [note: although not labeled, all these photos seem to be from Gerald Letts]

 

            .45-.47             samples of carved marble: 3 classical women, 2 standing, 1 reclining; on back: measurements

 

            .48       marble mantel with panel depicting monkeys, with grate, with measurements and other notes on back; [this mantel is referred to in a letter of March 21, 1910]

 

            .49       marble mantel, with grate

 

            .50       marble mantel, with grate, with measurements on back

 

            .51       marble mantel, no. 5427, with grate, with measurements on front

 

            .52       marble mantel, with fender, with measurements on back

 

            .53       marble mantel, no. 3350 HAU, with grate, with measurements on back

                        [photo in 3 pieces]

 

 

            [no accession number]            additional biographical information about John Bond Trevor and additional historical information about the house at 11 East 91st Street.