Wednesday, November 4, 2009

When 'Silvermore' Was For Sale

A brochure advertising 'Silvermore', the Edward Roesler estate in Kings Point. There is not a whole lot on this place, Roesler's name was apparently misspelled on maps as A. Roesler, and according to the Spinzia book the house was called 'Augustina'. Roesler was a partner at Laidlaw and Co. (his wife was Jessie Onderdonk Laidlaw), an investment banking firm. The house has since been demolished.



Brochure courtesy of SPLIA.

9 comments:

An Aesthete's Lament said...

Fantastic entrance portico!

Anonymous said...

Demolished! I think my heart nearly broke this morning on that news. The loggia is sheer perfection, and what a lovely main hall and staircase! Thank you for sharing this one in particular Zach. - Robert

An Aesthete's Lament said...

Name of estate as Augustina confirmed by 1934 NYTimes wedding announcement of the Roeslers' daughter Rutherford Roesler to Elliott Conger Baker. The Roeslers had another daughter, Jessie Laidlaw Roesler. And the estate's name apparently was in honor of Edward Roesler's father, August Roesler.

Anonymous said...

This was the estate of wall street operator, Jesse L. Livermore. He purchased the home in 1922 from August Janssen. It was auctioned for past due taxes in 1933.

Anonymous said...

I just love a Dining room you can land a plane in... Interesting to note the amount spent on construction then the amount it sold for... Guess these big old estates were like Cars not really holding much value... Stunning and I cannot thank you enough for what you do for us each and everyday!!!!

Trevor said...

Anonymous,

The bargain sell price had more to do with the fact that the owner went bankrupt, shot himself, and then left unqualified parties to deal with the creditors. Considering that, it's a rather remarkable feat that Silvermore sold for cost.

Also, the large price tag is irrelevant. How well did the average middle class foreclosed home do at the auction block during 2008 and 2009?

Cheers.

R.A. Bollinger said...

This was "Evermore" When Jesse Livermore owned it. Although he went bankrupt 4 times, and did shoot himself in 1940, he always paid his creditors back. I find it ironic if it is true that the owner of "Silvermore" as it was renamed, also went bankrupt, also shot himself, yet left his creditors hanging. It's probably best that they demolished this home. It was said that it was sinking on one side, and that Dorothy Livermore would cut the legs of the chairs in the house to level them. I have some random Jesse Livermore quotes at my website <a href="http://www.rabollinger.com>rabollinger.com</a>

barb said...

August Janssen, my great grandfather, built this house. I believe it was named after him.

Unknown said...

This property was likely purchased by August Roesler in 1888 and named Augustina after his second wife, Auguste. August Roesler died in February 1900. Auguste lived there the rest of her life. Augustina is mentioned as the summer home of Edward Roesler in the New York Social Register in 1911 and 1912. In 1930 the widow Auguste Roesler was living at 130 Kings Point Road. She died there in 1934. In 1930 her son Walter and his family and household and property servant families were living at 124 Kings Point Road. Agnes Roesler had her wedding reception at Augustina in 1934. In 1940 Edward and Jessica Roesler were living at 130 Kings Point Road. Also living at 130 Kings Point Road in 1940 were 4 other families whose heads were a chauffeur, a gardener, a housekeeper, and a superintendent. They all said they were living in the same place in 1935. I think Edward Roesler moved there after his stepmother died. Edward Roesler died in 1946. A Google map search for 130 Kings Point Road puts the property (now homesites) exactly at the location shown on the map of the sales brochure. I can't find any connection to Jesse Livermore.