Hyde Park Antiques, specialists in fine 18th- century furniture, paintings and decorative arts, located at 836 Broadway (between 12th and 13th Streets), marked its 40th anniversary two weeks ago, with the publication by Rizzoli of a beautiful coffee table book of its collection: Classic English Design and Antiques: Period Styles and Furniture from the Hyde Park Antiques Collection. To celebrate this double milestone, interior designers Mario Buatta, Ellie Cullman, and Charlotte Moss co-hosted a reception.
The book was written by Emily Eerdmans, a fine and decorative arts expert and museum consultant with a foreword byMario Buatta, whose quintessential decorating style embodies everything English. The lavishly illustrated volume celebrates the singular sophistication of English furniture, featuring more than 150 objects from the prestigious collection of Bernard Karr’s Hyde Park Antiques.
Showcased amongst the charming illustrations of period interiors, are exquisite drawings from cabinet-makers’ albums, and contemporary interiors from the world’s luminary decorators: Mario Buatta, David Kleinberg, Alex Papachristides, Parish-Hadley, and Cullman & Kravis, among many others. It tells the story of English furniture from 1700 to 1830. Five major styles from the period are showcased in depth—from Queen Anne to Georgian, spanning Paladianism, English Rococo, Neoclassicism, and Regency—along with celebrated designers of the age such as Thomas Chippendale, Robert Adam, and George Hepplewhite.
The ebullient Mr. Karr started his career with his wife Barbara traveling through Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau County in their Chevy pick-up truck searching for antiques from private estates. “Forty years in this up and down business is quite an accomplishment, and I’m happy to report that business hasn’t been better.”
“I’ve known Bernie Karr for twenty years,” said Brian McCarthy who worked with Ambassador and Mrs. Robert H. Tuttle on the re-design of Winfield House, the American Ambassador’s residence in London. “In addition to the amazing collection of 17th, 18th and 19th Century English furniture at Hyde Park, Mr. Karr’s all consuming passion for the furniture he sells is phenomenal. He has a lifeline from his fingers to each piece, and imparts this to you when he shares his wealth of knowledge. It’s a love affair for him.”
Patrick Cornbill and Rachel Karr
Mario Buatta and Alana Frumkes
Mark Lebow and Bernard Karr
Karr established his first gallery in 1965. “It began almost by accident," he said. "Like most collectors, I had set out simply to furnish my own home with beautiful objects. But the more I saw and learned, the more I wanted to buy.”
He discovered a small vacant storefront located at 368 Third Avenue between 26th and 27th Streets. “The rent was $400 a month - a real dent in a 1964 income,” he recalled. “I justified it on the grounds that I had bought enough furniture to stock the store. Besides, if those antiques were as good as I thought, there would certainly be buyers for them. With any luck, and a short-term lease, I might even be able to turn profit."
Karr’s new career as antique shop owner was met with some challenges. “The first month we opened, there was the black-out, a subway strike and a garbage strike. Not a very auspiciousbeginning for a young man with a new bride starting out in business,”
Soon his modest ambition was realized. Hyde Park prospered on Third Avenue and continued to thrive following a move uptown to Second Avenue at 70th Street. But the growing business was desperately in need of space that was unaffordable on the Upper East Side.
In 1969, he made the move to larger premises on a then unfashionable stretch of Lower Broadway. Ten years later he acquired a 19th century cast-iron building which now houses the gallery and restoration facility.
Susanna and Olivier Peardon
Mario Buatta and Parkin Saunders
Rachel Karr and Barbara Karr
Michael Capo, Mario Buatta, and Chris Jussel
Jeff Petersen, Charlotte Moss, and Bernard Karr
Scott Nelson, Bobette Cohn, and Alex Papachristidis
Thomas Jayne, Bernard Karr, and John Rosselli
Arie and Coco Kopelman
Julie Nalven and Earle Vanderkar
Rachel Karr and Ellie Cullman
Bernard Karr, Betty Sherrill, Albert Hadley, and Katherine McCallum
Mark Jacoby, Leon Dalva, Diana Jacoby, and Chris Jussel
Alex Papachristidis, Charlotte Moss, Bunny Williams, and John Rosselli
Cullman & Kravis delegation
Geoffrey Bradfield and Cerarco Farias
Lynda Gould and Charles Patteson
Emily Eerdmans and Charles Miers
Charles Miers, Derry Moore, Wendy Moonan, Carolle Thibaut Pomerantz, and Allison Leeds
Maurice Marguiles, Todd Hellmuth, and Melvin Dwork
Mario Buatta and Nancy Baker
Cindi Cook, Roger Webster, and Marilyn White
Scott Salvator and Michael Zabriskie
The Wildlife Trust held its annual Conservation Awards Gala and Auction three weeks ago at The Lighthouse located at Chelsea Piers in New York City. Wildlife Trust is an international conservation organization pioneering the innovative field of Conservation Medicine and is working to understand the links between ecosystems, wildlife and human health.
“Animal ambassadors,” animals that have been rescued and rehabilitated by SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, greeted guests. The animal ambassadors included a kinkajou, armadillo, alligator, fox and a caracara. Guests were able to view the animals close-up and learn more about the creatures’ primary habitats.
The honorary event chairmen included acclaimed singer/songwriter Art Garfunkel, philanthropist Virginia C. Mars and Lynn Sherr, correspondent on ABC TV’s 20/20 news show.
Wildlife Trust presented the Wildlife Trust Conservation Award, the organization’s highest honor, to Virginia Busch, president of the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund for the Anheuser-Busch Companies and to Dr. Damayanti Buchori of PEKA Indonesia for her work with insect studies and conservation.
A special recognition award was presented to Martin S. Kaplan, Esq. and the law firm Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, LLP for their generous and unwavering support and pro bono work for Wildlife Trust.
Dr. Mary Pearl, president of Wildlife Trust and presenter of the evening’s awards spoke of the importance of recognizing scientists and corporate leaders who advance environmental causes. Proceeds from the annual Gala will continue to support Wildlife Trust’s work on behalf of endangered species and its pioneering work in Conservation Medicine around the world. Wildlife Trust is a non-profit, conservation organization focused on all the integral relationships essential to a healthy planet. Its mission is to empower local conservation scientists worldwide to protect nature and safeguard ecosystem and human health. The key to conservation success is long-term local involvement and continued research.
Founded in 1971 by British naturalist and author Gerald Durrell, Wildlife Trust has built its reputation on 35 years of global research, education, training and experience. Wildlife Trust pioneered the field of Conservation Medicine, a new discipline that addresses the link between ecological disruption of wildlife and habitats and the effects on human health and survival.
Jose German, Kathleen Gass, 'Cara Cara', Julie Hughes, and Teva Kukan
John Grimm, Mary Evelyn Tucker, Martin Kaplan, and Emily Martin with a Red Fox
Peter Kaufman, Emily Martin with Shrimp, and Allen Model
Virginia Mars, Martin Kaplan, and Ben Kaplan
Lee Andrus, Damayanti Buchori, and friend
Kathleen Gass with 'Cara Cara' and Erica Von Studnitz
Kathleen Gass with 'Cara Cara' and Barbara Gerard
Kinkajou kissing Virginia Mars
Kinkajou making the rounds
George Teese with Kinkajou
Bob Horton, Emily Martin, and Robin Horton
Tom Tammi, Emily Martin, and Marcia Tammi
Carol Timmis, Virginia Mars, and Julia Scott
Kathleen Gass with 'Cara Cara' and Virginia Mars
Gerry Tuten, Kinkajou, John Tuten, and Lee Andrus with an Armadillo
Gary Scheft, Cheryl Heller, Jaimie Cloud, and David Levy
Martin S. Kaplan, Virginia Busch, Mary Pearl, and Damayanti Buchori
David Kriegel and Kinkajou
Michael Donovan and Jeffrey Osborne
Bjorn Figenschou, Kathleen Gass, 'Cara Cara', and Patricia Moehlman
Adele Adelson, Emily Martin, Paul Model, Patricia Model, and Allen Model
Sandra Peterson, Art Garfunkel, James Garfunkel, Mary Pearl, Virginia Mars, and Martin Kaplan
Colin Devine, Kinkajou, and Brenda Devine
Jaimie Cloud and Kinkajou
Cynthia Stebbins and Scott Perrin
Nancye Green, Sandra E. Peterson, and Carol Timmis
Doug Moss, "Shrimp", Lee Andrus, and Jim Motavalli
Colin Devine, Kinkajou, and Brenda Devine
Dinner is served, almost ...
Eric Karpeles, known as a “painter’s painter,” drew a crowd of over 250 collectors, friends, and “actors’ actors” to the trendy new Tria Gallery in Chelsea last Thursday night
In attendance were Oscar contender for "Good Night and Good Luck" David Strathairn, veteran actress Lois Smith, who appeared in “”East of Eden” with James Dean and is currently filming episodes of ER, director Joel Coen of “Blood Simple”, “Fargo”, and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”, his wife, 4- time Oscar nominee Frances McDormand,Vogue cover model Liya Kebede, New York Times food writer Ed Levine, who is launching a new food web site, www.seriouseats.com next Monday, jazz musician Pat Metheny, and friends of the artist.
Ms. McDormand went around to all, saying “Hi, I’m Fran,” but discreetly turned away when a camera appeared.
Also on hand were Walter Smith of the Rockefeller Foundation, for whom Karpeles completed a commission for Laurance and Mary Rockefeller to create a permanent chapel space for the HealthCare Chaplaincy.
A major sale was made to an undisclosed buyer, another is being negotiated, and guests dined on sushi and drank saki, staying until 9 p.m. This was the artist’s first New York showing since l996.
Tria Gallery, located at 547 W. 27th, is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday, or by appointment. Eric Karpeles’ show will run through December 22. For further information, go to www.triagallerynyc.com, or telephone (212) 695-0021.
Frances McDormand and her husband, director Joel Coen
Eric Karpeles with Walter Smith of the Rockefeller Foundation
Bruce MacVitti with Marcell Rosenblatt
Claudia Brown and Terry Gruber
Francisco Villagrand and Nelly Castillo
Michael Sell, Ed Levine, Latifa Metheny, and Eric Karpeles in front of the Red Fugue, or When Lipstick Went Wrong
Hasna Balile and Eric Starr
Pat Metheny and Carol Suchman
Liya Kebede with Latifa Metheny and Linda Haile
David Strathairn and Chris Lehreske
Latifa Metheny, Carol Suchman, Eric Karpeles, and Paige Bart in front of Ashes and Sparks
