I picked up a book called Era of Elegance at the Grapevine Antique Mall a few days ago. It gives a flowery glimpse of both Gilded Age palaces and their occupants. The author, Andrew Tully, bookends the Era of Elegance in 1865 and 1914. The first chapter is titled Mrs. Astor’s Couch. It’s appropriate that … Continue reading The Astor Jewels and an Era of Elegance