Letter from Charles S. Carstairs to Henry Clay Frick, 11 July 1913

OFFICE OF H. C. FRICK
RECEIVED
JUL 31 1913
FORWARDED
REFERRED
ANSWERED
F[ile]
NEW YORK,
556 & 558, FIFTH AVENUE.
PARIS,
17 PLACE VENDOME.
CABLE ADDRESSES
KNOEDLER, LONDON.
KNOEDLER, NEW YORK.
KNOEDLER, PARIS.
TELEPHONE 2514 MAYFAIR.
15, OLD BOND STREET,
LONDON, W.
11th July 1913.
H. C. Frick, Esq.,
Eagle Rock,
Pride's Crossing, Mass.
Dear Mr. Frick,
Your cable received, to which I replied to-day as follows - "Went over revised plans with Allom week ago Think great improvement and feel sure you will be pleased Am keeping in touch with them Writing today Have been extremely busy Kindest regards;" also your letter of the 7th June, which I have been intending to answer ever since its receipt. This, however, is our very busy time and I don't seem to get a moment and have kept putting it off. It is particularly the case this year as Robinson, who has been with us for so long, has left.
I was glad to hear about Child's engagement and am sure it will be a new inspiration and develop him in the right direction, particularly as Miss Dixon is such a charming girl.
I spent over an hour a week ago at the factory with Allom looking over all your plans. I made a few minor suggestions which all tended in the direction of simplicity and created possibly better spacing for the hanging of your pictures. I also suggested the removal of a door in the drawing room to the
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left of the mantel facing the window. I think originally this door was put there to balance the door into the hall, at the time the drawing room communicated with the dining room, and it seemed to me that with the change of plan it had become unnecessary. The mantel will certainly be much handsomer without it, and pictures hung between it and the mantel would have been rather over-shadowed. Naturally, I may not have realised the idea of Hastings, which would necessitate keeping it, but I believe Allom has written Hastings. The central hall is really very fine and I think will be a great success, - to my mind, a wonderful improvement over the other plan. I think the drawing room will be very charming, and the dining room looks immensely improved.
I shall have more time from now on to look over the plans from week to week, and naturally Allom is keeping Hastings posted about every detail. I think Allom is extremely interested and anxious to make it the finest thing he has ever done, and so long as he keeps that in mind I am sure it will be a success.
We have just moved out to Dunn's house, where, you remember, we lunched together. His family go to Wales for July and August and as the Pearsons had to stay in England he very kindly let me have his house. He, too, is remaining here for the present and I see him from time to time.
I had a letter from Harding and Charlie McDonald. They seem to have enjoyed their stay with you.
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I regret the Pittsburg bank disaster and trust the condition will not prove too bad.
The tendency of the Senate seems to be to put a high duty on works of art and I understand they are talking about a 25% duty on pictures. It is unfortunate, I think, and shortsighted, but I suppose nothing could be done to help it. The only point that bothers me is just when we should ship our pictures in order to get them in ahead of this duty, provided they put it on. If you get any information as to when the new law will become operative I would appreciate your cabling me.
I suppose there is no prospect of your getting over here this summer? If you feel like a change, take a steamer and run over. We will be so glad to see you.
Be sure and let me know if there is anything I can do in connection with the house.
With kind regards to all the family,
Yours sincerely,
C. S. Carstairs
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C. S. Carstairs
London England
To H. C. Frick
July 11, 1913
Re. Interior decoration of N. Y. Residence
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