August 2024 Auction Ends Thursday, August 29th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/29/2024
Large Frank Lloyd Wright archive related to the Anderton Court Shops on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, including three letters signed by Wright (one with his lengthy handwritten postscript), and four telegrams from him. Correspondence is from 1952-1953 when Wright designed the project, a famous high-end retail center commissioned by Los Angeles socialite Nina Anderton to showcase the atelier of her fashion designer Eric Bass. The cost of this project was famously steep, which is documented here, ultimately causing Anderton to refuse full payment to Wright. Conflict with Bass would also cause Anderton to rename the project from the Eric Bass Court Center to The Anderton Court Shops, as discussed in this correspondence. This is the last project Wright completed in Los Angeles and one of his few retail projects still surviving. In addition to the letters and telegrams, lot also includes approximately 25 pages of retained letters, notes and a telegram, many of which reveal internal details about the unwieldy construction costs, permitting issues associated with earthquake mitigation, and conflict with Ms. Anderton.
Lot begins with a letter signed by Wright in which he tells his California representative Aaron Green that he ''just talked with Eric Bass...The plans as now revised are nearing the hundred thousand mark but the price still seems high indeed, as expected...Go and see Bass soon and help iron out his difficulties if you can...'' Wright then adds a handwritten and initialed postscript, ''I think that concrete with [?] could be substituted...and save about $35,000.00?''
In the next letter, dated 18 September 1952, Wright tells Green that he'll send ''complete structural details in re Bass.'' Shortly thereafter, in a telegram dated 31 October 1952, Wright tells Aaron Green, ''Have called Nina Anderton. She is putting money in the bank to build the building / Frank Lloyd Wright''. With the project now greenlit, Wright's last letter from 1952 reads in part, ''Working on Anderton to simplify and isolate skeleton. Using precast slabs forming floors and ceilings without furring. Leaving center passage open to rear stair tower so all hands can go and come that way. Etc., etc.'' Wright then also handwrites, ''disposes of code objections''.
In the lot of additional correspondence, interesting discussion regarding the high cost of construction is present, with Green contemplating whether there is possible price collusion among the Los Angeles contractors. In one letter, Green shows his frustration with Ms. Anderton, who's intent to only use bonded contractors, ''I still know of no particular way to beat the 'racket' if the client persists in being a part of it.'' In another letter Green writes to Wright, ''Quite hectic were the sessions with Mrs. Anderton, but you saved the day and the job. Knowing how wealthy she is, I resent any part of your fee being relinquished. / Her change of heart probably had to do with a new attitude towards Bass. She complained about $1600 paid him for expenses towards the project...Although she still wants him part of the project, it is only so far as will not obligate her...A major trouble was her feeling of being misled, thinking she was getting a complete building, then discovering things left out for future installation. Plumbing fixtures not included upset her, and I am afraid she will be on a severe rampage upon discovering the ceilings are not plastered in this contract...It was a battle,with her on the offensive and I attempting to smooth the angry sea...Although she is basically a fine person, I foresee constant difficulties wherever money is concerned...'' This letter continues, ''She...also wants the title of all drawings changed to 'Anderton Court Center'.
With much more interesting content about one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most interesting projects, and also mentioning other projects such as the Della Walker House and a home for a wealthy client named Dr. Dong in San Francisco. Wright's signed letters measure 11'' x 8.5'' on Taliesin stationery. Overall in very good condition.
Frank Lloyd Wright Lot of Correspondence Regarding the Anderton Court Shops on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills -- Includes 3 Letters Signed by Wright, 4 Telegrams & Dozens of Retained Notes & Letters
Click above for larger image.