Name/Title
Letter: H.F. Huber to Gertrude SeiberlingEntry/Object ID
1914.2.7GPSHFHTags
RenumberDescription
Handwritten 5 page letter on plain paper from H.F. Huber to Gertrude Seiberling about an antique English furniture from the "House of Adams" at the American Art Galleries in New York. He mentions a Jacobean 4-post bed that went beyond the limit Mr. Seiberling had set for it.Subject
Construction of Stan Hywet HallCollection
PERMANENT COLLECTIONCataloged By
Barb WelchAcquisition
Accession
A 2025.12Source or Donor
UnknownAcquisition Method
FoundLetter Details
Letter Date
Feb 7, 1914Primary Language
EnglishTranscription
Transcription
My Dear Mrs. Seiberling
Yesterday, I had the time of my life in becoming possessed of some of the finest and most interesting examples of furniture of the Early English times.
I presume Mr. Seiberling told you of our hurried visit to the American Art Galleries where there was being held the sale of the famous "House of Adams" which was known as containing one of the greatest of English antique collections. We unfortunately came too late to see most of the Early English pieces on exhibition as they had already been set aside to be ready for the sale in the afternoon. We saw a Jacobean four-post bed, practically an exact counterpart of the one I had shown in the sketch & Mr. Seiberling set a limit on it of six hundred. I bid on same but it went beyond my limit as a party was determined to buy this at any price. Several other pieces among them a large Elizabethan dining table also went beyond my limit, but I am pleased to say that I secured some wonderfully interesting cabinets, chairs, table, andirons, fireplaces [sic] marble mantels etc. at ridiculously low prices practically less than one half and in some instances one third of what I had figured in my preliminary allowances for such pieces. Because of the stormy weather and the general business depression in the East during the year, the attendance at the sale was very slim & no enthusiastic bidding, many of the pieces being bought by dealers.
It was a great opportunity in our instance and altho' [sic] a little early to go deeply into the matter of furniture, still I realized I must act quickly if we were to take advantage of the chance. If Mr. Seiberling had been with me I would have bought three times as much. I tried to reach him on the telephone, but did not succeed in locating him. I did not want to take the responsibility of going too deeply.
As it is, the saving in my purchases will more than pay for the cost of your antique bedroom which information will undoubtedly please Mr. Seiberling. What I have secured thus far will make a good nucleus & I am positive that Mr. Seiberling will realize before we have progressed much further that our general scheme of the interior will be in full accordance with what this type of house demands & that the mellow interesting examples of old pieces will impart to the surroundings the homelike livable spirit that Mr. Seiberling is so set on.
Among the things I secured are some quaint pieces for Miss Irene's room exactly on the line she explained to me the other evening. Also A most interesting buffet plate rack & breakfast room table of just the right size. Mr. Seiberling remarked that he would return to New York with you this week. It is quite essential that many things be definitely selected at once such as tiling, height of bath wainscots, kitchen treatment & arrangement so that the plastering, wiring & other work dependent on same may be intelligently specified & provided for.
Then again I think that many of the things I have will have some influence on the treatment of the chambers & Mr. Schneider could be informed of same before he finishes the drawings for the upper rooms. I can be at your service this week. I trust Mr. Seiberling will be able to give us a little time. I want to take him with us to the Metropolitan Museum & I know that his keenness of perception will eventually induce him to become a student in this particular diversion just as many other great captains of industry have. It is the sign of the highest type of culture & the pleasure to be derived from this source is inexhaustible.
I shall secure several extra catalogues of the Adams Sale so that you may have them on record.
With regards to all the family,
I am yours Sincerely
H.F. Huber
P.S. Kindly let me know when you expect to be in New York so I do not make any other appointments. HTranscriber
Barb WelchLanguage
EnglishCreated By
bwelch@stanhywet.orgCreate Date
March 12, 2026Updated By
bwelch@stanhywet.orgUpdate Date
March 12, 2026
