Richard Magat: Man About Manhattan--Off the Beaten Path
By Richard Magat
Apr. 29, 2015: Hordes of visitors and native New Yorkers traverse Museum Mile--nine cultural institutions between 82nd and 105th Streets--every day of the year. But that trek overlooks a cornucopia of other destinations dedicated to the arts. Here are two of my favorites (more to come later).
Swann Auction Galleries. Although most of the cultural repositories are the outgrowth of philanthropy and enjoy tax-exempt nonprofit status, Manhattan is chock-full of galleries and other institutions that show art for a profit.
The galleries have in recent years spread beyond midtown throughout the city and now can be enjoyed (if one does not mind walking stairs) as far out as the meatpacking district on the far West Side.
Just north of Greenwich Village (at 104 East 25th Street) is a two-story auction house rich in varied exhibitions from African-American art to printed and manuscript Americana, old master prints, modernist posters, maps and atlases, and more.
Hundreds of items are sold at each auction, and prices can soar to $1 million. Swann is part of a network that extends to Paris and six other European cities.
Swann's dozen catalogues are handsome scholarly works, bargains at $35 each.
Bonhams. An English auction house with a major New York presence, Bonhams deals not only in art but also in antique automobiles, jewelry, and such historical documents as the notebook of the late distinguished scientist Alan Turing, who developed the techniques that broke the German code during World War II. The notebook sold at auction for $850,000.
A 17.61 carat Burmese sapphire and diamond ring fetched $300,000 and a 1991 Ferrari, $1.2 million. Cameras and rare wine are also offered. The great actress Lauren Bacall had an eye for handsome things (including Humphrey Bogart, of course), 750 of which--paintings, sculpture, designer suitcases, and costumes and gowns--were sold for $300,000.
Bonhams's tentacles stretch to offices in Washington, San Francisco, Singapore, and several European cities. The New York facilities occupy three floors at 580 Madison Avenue, and if one comes to an auction ahead of time, coffees and pastries are given on the house.
Photo by N. Bower
Government & History Directory
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
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Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
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Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400
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