Historic Homes of America: The Crane Estate

  The Crane Estate, located in Ipswich, Massachusetts, was the summer home of Richard T. Crane, Jr., son of the founder(with the same name) of R.T. Crane & Bro. which later became the Crane Company.  Richard Jr. purchased the property in 1910, and built the first version of the house as well as the gardens in 1912.  It was then torn down in 1924 and was finished being rebuilt in 1928, which is the home that stands now.  David Adler designed the home in a 17th Century Stuart style, with the gardens having remained unchanged, designed by the Olmstead Brothers.  Richard Jr. married Florence Higinbotham in 1904, and they had two children, Florence and Cornelius. Richard Jr. was a member of the Jekyll Island Club, which was a prestigious club with members of the Vanderbilt, Astor, Rockefeller, and other wealthy families.  The Crane Company still exists today, but the house and its grounds are owned by The Trustees of Reservations, who received the property after the death of Richard Jr.'s wife in 1949.

My visit to the Crane Estate corresponded with the Roaring Twenties Lawn Party held there every year, so I was only able to get one shot of the outside.

Further Research:
Crane Co. - History
Trustees of Reservations: Crane Family Collection
Wikipedia: Castle Hill(the grounds of the house)
Trustees of Resrvations: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Ephemera: Writings of the Past II

  During my birthday antiquing trip I found some amazing antique postcards that I just had to add to my collection.
(As before, I'll copy them as close as I can, and will put question marks next to unsure words.)

Who Is Going To Blow?.-

Posted Nov 1, 1916
Mildred Johnston
Donellson, Ill.
We are all well.  tell Larence we do not want the turnips we got here at home.
from Ma.

When you play for me so sweet,

I'm completely at your feet.

Posted Mar 5, 1910
Miss Florence Arnsmeyer
425. Lake Ave.
St. Louis, Mo
Dear Friend
Recieved you card was very glad to hear from you.
I guess you had a good time Sunday by Ida.  Flora ask Lillie why she didn't anser my card.
from your Friend
Emma
ans soon

-What's The Use-

No postmark
Mr. C(?). H. Rudluff(?)
70 Post -Master
New York, N.Y.
Came home yesterday want to go back again but the Dr. wants me to stay here for a while, so it don't look like I will get to go.  we are a(?) going(?) ___(?) to the hospital this afternoon
will write you to-night if nothing happens
E(?). A. W(?).
U.S.S. North Dakota

Birthday Greetings

No postmark
Mrs. Nesbitt
Attica __(?), N.Y.
(Inside)
To Mrs. Nesbitt
From Mrs. Johnson
732 - 6th RN.(?)

Flipping Through: The Woman's Weekly, November 1904

Today's 'Flipping Through' is The Woman's Weekly from November 1904.

 Beautiful Art Nouveau detailing on the table of contents.

Ladies sporting fur scarves and stoles.

Sears & Roebuck Co. sewing machine in cabinet - if only they were $5 now!

Advertisement to send in your hair, then receive a real hair piece that matches your own.

A time when anything could be ordered from a catalog.

About tapeworms - during the late Victorian and Edwardian era there was a rumor that women used tapeworms to lose weight, taken in 'tapeworm pills' which housed the worm's eggs.  Once the weight was lost, the woman would want to shed her tapeworm, since there are nasty side effects to having one living in the body.  I have found no conclusive evidence to this diet trend, but I couldn't help but be reminded of it when seeing these advertisements to remove tapeworms. 

I thought there was some irony to the juxtaposition of these two advertisements.  (note the name Kellogg - not the same Kellogg of cereal fame it seems)

Copyrighted October, 1901,

By the Lewis Publishing Co.,

St. Louis, MO.