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Date
11-26-1894
Personal Name Recipient
Allison, James W., 1833-1898
Description
Letter from Griffin & Randall to James W. Allison discussing Purdy's estimate of the dining room and work in the library.
Transcription
Nov. 26th '94. James W. Allison Esq. Richmond. Dear Sir, Your's of the 24th at hand. Purdy has just sent in his estimate for your Dining Rm. finish put up and completed at $1218.00 which is about the figure which Mr. Randall gave you. He assures us that he can get the very best wood and that he will select it for its grain and quality generally. We hope therefore that you will decide at once to do this room, as it is important to get out the material without delay. As to the Library finish we shall await the need estimate from Stowe & Nuckols, as we think it would be better for them to do the work. As to the bookcases, we hope you will not be discouraged about putting them in the wall because of the flues & gas outlets. It will be an easy matter to put in a panel over the former and the latter can be very easily moved. The register can be brought out between the shelves, as we have often had to do. The great advantage to you will be the saving of room as well as the improved appearance of the room generally by omitting the broken line that ordinary book shelves always give. All the trim in this room should be of the same wood. Stained pine never looks well along side of oak. Cypress would be better in that case if you do not care & change the pine trim to oak, as that wood would make a good room if properly stained and treated. The plaster must be carried down to floor on all walls. Where panelling covers it, the final coat can be omitted, also behind sheathing. Mr. Randall spoke of this when he was last in Richmond. He will be in Baltimore Friday and Saturday, and can run down to Richmond Monday, if you care to see him. Considering the progress of the work we did not suppose that this would be necessary. your's truly, Griffin & Randall [ALS. Griffin & Randall to James W. Allison, November 26, 1894, on letterhead: Griffin & Randall Architects [48 Exchange Place canceled; next two words stamped] 52 Broadway New York. Envelope docketed: ? G. & R? Nov. 26. 1894 — Purdy's estimate on Dining Room finish put up and completed is $1218.00 Desire bid on Library finish from Stowe & Nuckols? Can move the gas outlets and panels over the hot air flues. Stained pine not as good as cypress? Plastering must be carried down to floor on all walls— when to be covered by panelling the final coat may be omitted.] [edited by LJP]
Personal Name Subject
Allison, James W., 1833-1898 -- Correspondence
Corporate Name Subject
Griffin & Randall -- Correspondence; E.H. Purdy M.F.G. Co.
Topical Subject
Architecture, Domestic -- Virginia -- Richmond; Architects and builders; Decoration and ornament, Architectural -- Virginia -- Richmond; Architecture -- Details; Finishes and finishing; Letting of contracts -- Virginia -- Richmond; Building -- Estimates -- Virginia -- Richmond
Geographic Subject
Richmond (Va.) -- Historic houses, etc.; Richmond (Va.) -- Buildings, structures, etc.
City/Location
Richmond (Va)
Genre
letters (correspondence)
Local Genre
text; archives
Type
Still Image; Text
Digital Format
application/pdf
Language
eng
Rights Statement URL
Rights
This material is in the public domain in the United States and thus is free of any copyright restriction. Acknowledgement of Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries as a source is requested.
Collection
Building VCU’s President's House
Source
Original letter: Letter from Griffin & Randall to James W. Allison, 1894 November 26, James W. Allison papers, M 1, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University.
File Name
pre042.pdf