A Family Affair: The Art of the Duchamp Siblings
Every set of parents passes things on to their children, whether it be eye color, sense of humor, or the family business – Evert “Hud” Weeks took up the mantle of CEO of Armand when Carl stepped down in the 1950s. For other families certain talents are nurtured and skills are taught, and for the Duchamp siblings art was practically in their blood. During the mid-1870s and late-1880s Gaston, Pierre, Marcel, and Suzanne Duchamp were born in Normandy in France. Their maternal grandfather Émile Frédéric Nicolle would be the one to teach them about art early on, and as each…
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Library Spotlight: One World
Now through the end of May, an edition of One World by Wendell Willkie will be one display in the Salisbury House Library. Trained as a lawyer, Willkie began his political career as a Democrat, but became a Republican in 1939. He countered many of the isolationist opinions about WWII, calling for internationalism abroad and equality in the US. Willkie ran as a Republican Candidate in the 1944 Presidential election, but suddenly died in the fall of that same year. Today he is remembered as an influential statesman and activist. One World is an account of Willkie’s 49 day trip…
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Over There: A Selection from the Armand Broadside
While sorting through the Salisbury House Archives, staff recently came across a number of copies of the Armand Broadside – the Armand Company newsletter. Copies of the Broadside were sent out to “the 37,000 Best Stores in America”, and included articles and ads for various Armand products, testimonials from sellers all over the country, and even longer form articles written by Carl Weeks. One Broadside contains an article titled “Over There: The short story of Carl’s trip to London and Budapest”. The article stretches across four pages of the newsletter, includes multiple photos from Carl’s trip, and is written in…
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Buyer Beware: Vienna Porcelain and the Beehive Mark
The Vienna Porcelain Manufactory was established in 1719 by Claudius Innocentius du Paquier, making it the second oldest porcelain manufacturer in Europe. Not too long after the manufactory’s establishment, it and du Paquier came under financial difficulties. Du Paquier happened to be a member of the Viennese Imperial Court, and in 1744 sold the manufactory to the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. It was from then on that it became known as The Imperial and Royal Porcelain Manufactory of Vienna. After the manufactory came under imperial ownership, it began marking its porcelain with a “bindenschild”, or what is now commonly referred…
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A History in Photos: The Weeks Family
The earliest version of the camera was invented during the 1700s. During the following centuries, it transformed from a rare, coveted product into a mass-produced object. Developments in the 1900s made it possible for even amateurs to take pictures, and now, it is an everyday practice. Carl and Edith Weeks (Carl born in 1876 and Edith born in 1882) lived during this time of lightning speed progress, and their 48-year marriage would capture numerous moments in film. We hope you enjoy this look at their family moments.
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It’s All In The Details – Doors of Salisbury
Carl and Edith Weeks were dedicated to creating an English manor home that not only looked old but was. Through working with dealers worldwide, the Weeks’ were able to acquire not only antique art and furniture, but entire historic rooms… down to the nails in the floorboards. One challenge encountered during the construction process of…
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