The Washington herald., 1913-12-28
ANNIE RUSSELL'S
TREASURE HOUSE
In Her New York Home, as IN Her
Ar, She Has Stiven Always
for Perfection

Persons who enjoy the perfection of de-
tail in all OF Annie Russells productions
little realize that this same perfection Is
to be found in her New York home-a
treasure house--a veritablo museum OF
art A priceless inlaid cabinet. wonder
fui collection Of gems, set upon set Of
beautiful old books, pewter and wonder
full old fans are but a few of the many
treasures that reflect the diversified in
terests and why she Is reputed to be one
OF the greatest authorities on gems of
art in this country.
AS in her home, so in art she has
striven always for perfection. and when
producing, as in her revivals. plays of
the eighteenth century. she has gone to
no end OF trouble to ind for her stage
settings no limitations merely. but gem
uine antiques And rumor has il that
many exquisite bits of antiquity are
stolen surreptitiously from the New York
home to help establish on the stage an
atmosphere of another generation
Friends OF Miss Russell who have
seen her production of The School for
Scandal have noted with interest
quaint brass bowl. oblong in shape, with
handles at each end. and perhaps the
black fire screens. the little brown chairs
with rose leaf patterns, and that won
derful mahogany sideboard.
Genuine Antiques.
Persons with cultivated taste for these
things, have been charmed by The beauti-
full and invaluable antiques which make
up the furniture in the Hardcastle room
In the second act OF ''She Stoops TO Con-
Quer." Many of these pieces are genu-
Inc and invaluable antiques. and her hus-
band, Mr.. Horke, spent many years In
accommodating. Many Of the plans for
scenery, costumes. and the selection Of
stage properties were worked out at Miss
Russelrs summer home. Pemiquid Har-
Dor, Me. To make the production of the
two old English comedies more accurate
and artistic, there have been long and
intelligent searches in auction rooms.
libraries, and antique shops. Some of the
properties are of great value. the side
board alone. which adorns the Hardcastle
dining-room, having cast 5000. Infinite
care has been paid TO detail.
Pewter tankards that pass so swiftly to
Marlow's hand to Hastings. were Sc
cured after a search in almost every an
tique shop in New York City. The nap
kin which is attached to this tankard Il
novelty, too, inasmuch as il has never
been used in revivals OF the old comedies,
although IL was accustomed to the period.
There are many small details like this
that Miss Russell has worked out and
employed with excellent effect. There
are also those peculiar faded curtains in
Hardcastle's home. These curtains cost
Miss Russell more effort than learning
her entire part. She searched the city of
New York for them and finally found
them just before giving up in despair. The
graceful. spindly furniture. the polished
brass warming pan. the old flredogs, the
quaint candlesticks. the funny bellows,
are almost eloquent as the play itself.
for Miss Russell secured two countries
her friends to give playgoers a lovely
picture Of old England
To those who understand and know the
value of all these details interest in the
production which they will see this week
at the Columbia Theater is doubled