tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post1864065804811567965..comments2023-10-25T02:14:11.431-07:00Comments on Living Vicuriously, aka Pasadena Daily Photo, has moved.: Superfluous Detail: The Singer BuildingPetrea Burchardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13043950465171821852noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-3521961692067396702010-03-29T13:47:51.038-07:002010-03-29T13:47:51.038-07:00Ha!
I didn't know about the connection, eithe...Ha!<br /><br />I didn't know about the connection, either. Usually my research begins with the photo, and not the other way around.Petrea Burchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13043950465171821852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-75024431711444237272010-03-29T09:04:08.963-07:002010-03-29T09:04:08.963-07:00Never knew that Singer had a connection to Pasaden...Never knew that Singer had a connection to Pasadena....and I did a post with a Singer connection in it. I do know of the Babcocks. I had one (through marriage) interview me. Turns out she's a professional clown.Pasadena Adjacenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09031325790590238246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-9642958678353197642010-03-27T17:12:01.302-07:002010-03-27T17:12:01.302-07:00Wonderful info, Diana, thank you. I like the way y...Wonderful info, Diana, thank you. I like the way you put it, that modern buildings lack character (not all, but too many). I think it's one reason Americans flock to Europe--we need to see more art all around us, in the streets, in the architecture, everywhere. Pasadena does this better than many modern cities.<br /><br />When I say "superfluous detail" it is with my tongue in my cheek.Petrea Burchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13043950465171821852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-90037374802377490852010-03-27T13:12:59.019-07:002010-03-27T13:12:59.019-07:00Maybe it's not that the Singer building has su...Maybe it's not that the Singer building has superfluous design elements, but more that newer buildings are painfully lacking in character. Our Singer building is Everett Phipps Babcock’s only known non-residential commission and is the only remaining intact example of Spanish Colonial design in the area.<br /><br />Isaac Merritt Singer, who founded the Singer Sewing Machine Company, was born in Utica, New York on October 26, 1811, the son of a Saxon immigrant. Pasadena's Singer building isn't the Company's first brush with architectural wonderfulness, though. The Singer Building, constructed in New York in 1908, was the first skyscraper and the tallest building in the world at the time at 47 stories.<br /><br />And Bellis, you're correct that the Company raked it in. When Singer died, he left an estate of $14 million, quite a lot of money in 1875. Good thing, too, since he'd married his first three wives without quite divorcing each of the previous ones; ultimately, he had five wives and 25 children!Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10828934507373117828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-47519247129627522512010-03-27T11:07:42.692-07:002010-03-27T11:07:42.692-07:00Wait, Bellis, I don't get it. A Monty Python? ...Wait, Bellis, I don't get it. A Monty Python? You mean it stomped on you and squished you? Or was it like the cheese scene?Petrea Burchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13043950465171821852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-46892401452251936532010-03-27T11:01:47.681-07:002010-03-27T11:01:47.681-07:00Hi Jilly--I wouldn't be at all surprised. Upon...Hi Jilly--I wouldn't be at all surprised. Upon further research I see that the Singer Corporation made more than sewing machines. The company made many people rich.Petrea Burchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13043950465171821852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-86702558545830689952010-03-27T11:00:52.010-07:002010-03-27T11:00:52.010-07:00Anyone interested in snooping around fabulous soCa...Anyone interested in snooping around fabulous soCal mansions should check out the update to this post.Petrea Burchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13043950465171821852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-83370911441042934402010-03-27T00:38:40.899-07:002010-03-27T00:38:40.899-07:00This is most interesting. I'm forever coming a...This is most interesting. I'm forever coming across the name Singer here in the south of France. I think Mr Singer had a lot of children - very rich - who came to France and Monaco to spend Daddy's (presumably) hard-earned money. V interesting to see his building.Jillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059152467099868300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-69421044549635192010-03-26T21:46:39.387-07:002010-03-26T21:46:39.387-07:00By the way I went into that building the other day...By the way I went into that building the other day and ordered a sofa, though it turned out to be a bit of a Monty Python ... but I'd better keep that to myself.Bellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10168550139269893109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-90817723470085085012010-03-26T20:43:24.869-07:002010-03-26T20:43:24.869-07:00Never knew any of that! Thanks Petrea for a littl...Never knew any of that! Thanks Petrea for a little history/architecture lesson! I'm going to stop and take notice of that bldg next time I pass by!Kathttp://Www.klikkonthis@WordPress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-21367320825450120402010-03-26T16:01:36.797-07:002010-03-26T16:01:36.797-07:00I used to sew when I was young, Bellis. When I mov...I used to sew when I was young, Bellis. When I moved to California I could bring only what would fit into the car and I left my sewing machine behind. There's a JoAnn Fabrics store on Lake Ave; I was there to pick up some notions the other day and it was buzzing.<br /><br />Plethora. I think that'll be the name of my firstborn, V.Petrea Burchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13043950465171821852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-40729109128160317152010-03-26T15:40:35.992-07:002010-03-26T15:40:35.992-07:00I don't photograph the duds either. I prefer s...I don't photograph the duds either. I prefer something delightful and superfluous like this gawgeous column. BTW, I love the way superfluous feels on my tongue...like my favorite word...PLETHORA! :)<br />Bon weekend J+P+B<br />VVirginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01152464973355194995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-57989874586871301782010-03-26T08:17:46.083-07:002010-03-26T08:17:46.083-07:00Singer must have raked in the money with their inv...Singer must have raked in the money with their invention to afford such splendid superfluosity. Does anyone make their own clothes nowadays?Bellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10168550139269893109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-42420187798914001302010-03-26T08:17:00.050-07:002010-03-26T08:17:00.050-07:00Looking forward to that, Hiker.Looking forward to that, Hiker.Petrea Burchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13043950465171821852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-86866496150986771052010-03-26T07:32:37.666-07:002010-03-26T07:32:37.666-07:00This is new to me. Will check it out next time I&#...This is new to me. Will check it out next time I'm in the neighborhood -- on April 1st, for instance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-18742652476077951542010-03-26T07:23:29.567-07:002010-03-26T07:23:29.567-07:00That's right, Shell, and this is a character b...That's right, Shell, and this is a character building.<br /><br />Randy, you crack me up. Pretty sure it was Curtis Mayfield.<br /><br />Superfluosity. Superfluity. Superfluousness. Keep going.Petrea Burchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13043950465171821852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-8244706930117045732010-03-26T04:12:39.780-07:002010-03-26T04:12:39.780-07:00Superfluity - wasn't that a song from Mary Pop...Superfluity - wasn't that a song from Mary Poppins? Or was it Curtis Mayfield?Randy Fullerhttp://nowandzin.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1067046564433930606.post-75595100999225824482010-03-26T01:30:41.389-07:002010-03-26T01:30:41.389-07:00There's a time and place for superfluosity, an...There's a time and place for superfluosity, and this is a fine example, Petrea! I like the cracks and dust too. They are character-building.Shell Sherreehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00477843748741838608noreply@blogger.com