Dead and Gone
was proudly owned by
Victor Gail
He passed away a few years back
and I took this photo
while he was still alive
I was helping him
paint the interior of his house
On Park Avenue
It was more like a museum than a house that contained many items that eventually made
their way to The Huntington, his home was combination late 18th century and early 19th century through and through. He even had a huge wooden fireplace that made me feel like I was in a time machine and traveled back 150 years. He loved collecting Rare examples of early American needleworkas seen on display at the museum
I was asked to move many items to make space to paint the wall and it was a bit nerve wracking, it wasn't just that fact that if I broke something it was irreplaceable, or the fact that some of the items were worth well into the million dollar range but the fact that he was so nervous he was watching and directing my every move. The canopy bed was the tricky part, it wasn't exactly frail but sliding it across the room with the very little assistance he gave well into his 80's at the time was not easy
"Now be very careful with this piece, it's priceless and very fragile"
These were the words I heard all morning long, and than all evening long while putting every thing back, after the second coat of paint which seemed to distract him after everything was put back in place
"The man at the store assured me the paint would cover in one coat"
I reassured him over and over that it was fine and I was just glad that nothing got broken. I got an earful of every story behind each piece and how he acquired it, which was much more interesting to me. Call it an unusual fascination with things
even the candles and sticks
The furniture was old
the vases, suitcases and clocks still ticking
for longer than a century
He too had grown old but felt young
surround by items of great age I suppose
I think he enjoyed treasuring items that would
be appreciated long after he was gone
People would remember him by the quality of the items in his collection rather than who he was as a person. I am a collector of many things, and I hope to be remembered by who I am rather than the things I collect, Although my things will be here after I am dead and gone.
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Очень красивые портреты. Вы хороший фотограф. Людям интересно смотреть на портреты и картины. Всегда интересно посещать музеи, ездить на экскурсии в разные страны. Удачи и хорошего настроения!!!
thank you, it was always like visiting a museum at Victor's house, thanks for the comment ))
Все люди разные! И это здорово! Чем талантливее человек, тем он страннее для окружающих. Тем он сильнее выделяется из "серой массы". Все гении - ну очень странные люди! ........
......
All people different! That's great! The more talented a person is, the weirder it to others. The stronger it stands out from the gray mass. All geniuses-well very strange people!
Yes. We are very strange :)
Да, и это хорошо. Значит мы из себя что-то представляем. Есть шанс тоже оставить о себе память ....
I sometimes think about my Wife and Mom having to deal with all my "stuff" if I died, it would be a very big job. They would think I was ochen peculiar !!
Our life.... we think too much about what other people think about us. Even to the moment of death. Such a peculiar we are.
Are you the I, in the article @vladivostok? Meeting this type of people is really something to remember.
it's true, people worry what people think of them, and people nobody is think that much of anyone except themselves. I am the "I" in this article, and Victor was a peculiar man to say the least, but I always tried to be of help to him, he will always be remembered
I see, so you had the chance to meet him. Lucky you. I always want to meet someone like this. I also love antiques and old things.
For to be cleared, i did not call him "peculiar". I mean we are. We always think what other thinks about us.
I knew him for about 10 years and he was client of mine. He was peculiar for sure .. my words :)
Ha ha.....We are also peculiar you know. The amount or percentages are either higher or lower. :)
Very true .. the more people I meet the more peculiar I realize I am :)
he was very peculiar
What a rare blast!
Kinda jealous of your experience ~ love old stuff and quirky people.
Your words are poignant.
Love.
xox
I am glad you liked the post, don't be jealous, there was more frustration being Victor's friend than moments to be jealous about. I like quirky people too so I like difficult relationships.
brother I like your post. I like the structure its perfect elaboration @vladivostok ☆☆☆☆☆
thank you..working on my writing and formatting techniques, it's fun!
you are a great human being because you are bringing your knowledge, excellent champion @vladivostok
Great Information Sir I follow You Hope You Help Me
What information did you like the best ?
@vladivostok The principles of true art is not to portray, but to evoke
Not in the mind of Victor :)
Congratulation vladivostok! Your post has appeared on the hot page after 20min with 9 votes.
well that's good news isn't it? Thanks for the blast ))
Victor was a strange man.