James Deering was born into business and realized that time is money. But he also had a health condition called pernicious anemia, which was considered fatal at the time. The failing health of his parents in Florida was a reminder of his own fragile condition. Could the wish to have his birthday dinner at the completed house symbolize an affirmation of his legacy and a more restful life?
“I HAVE BEGUN TO GET NERVOUS”
Letter: September 23, 1913
From: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner, Chicago
To: F.B. Hoffman, Vizcaya’s Architect, New York
Reveal Transcript
Mr. Hoffman:–
I sent you to-day the following day letter:
“Seems probable must go to Florida middle October account father’s health. I should regret greatly leaving without all questions settled as fear it may cost a Florida season which means a year. Cannot all open questions preventing starting of work be settled immediately. Better let Macdonald go forward with present work immediately.”
I have begun to get nervous as my telegram indicates with the fear that we are not getting started early enough to make it certain that I can have the completed house for occupancy in the winter after the two coming winters. You will remember that in Florida we cherished the hope that this could be accomplished for the winter after next. Our various absences I suppose have made this impossible, but we ought to have plenty of margin the coming winter. My father’s health is such that I fear it will be necessary for me to go to Florida with him by or soon after the middle of October. I am, therefore exceedingly anxious that all questions about the house should be settled before that time, If it is absolutely necessary I can come to New York between now and then expressly for that purpose. I should regret exceedingly to be obliged to go to New York from Florida for this purpose.
Yours truly,
(Signed) James Deering.
Mr. F.B. Hoffman,
15 East Fortieth Street,
New York, N.Y.
Copy sent to Mr. Chalfin
“I WANT THE HOUSE… TO EAT MY BIRTHDAY DINNER IN.”
Letter: January 5, 1916
From: James Deering, Vizcaya’s Owner, Miami
To: Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya’s Artistic Director
Reveal Transcript
Brickell Point, Miami, Florida
January 5th, 1916.
Dear. Mr. Chalfin;–
Many thanks for your letter; hearty congratulations on the successful outcome of your lawsuit. It is a pleasure to have the world know that we are intelligent enough to keep within our rights. I must say that our reputation for intelligence did get a pretty severe shock in the case of the Paris house.
I am glad to know that you liked the books which I sent you. You can now learn the tricks of the hero of the books by heart and you will have, I trust, just as many opportunities to practice them as may be agreeable to yourself. Many thanks also for your New Year’s good wishes, but kind as they are, they do not satisfy me. I want the house in the condition so poetically described by your to eat my birthday dinner in. You may not know that my birthday occurs November 12th.
Yours truly,
JD
Paul Chalfin, Esq.
What do you think motivated Deering's urgency to complete the Estate?
Reveal the slideshow below to see photos of Vizcaya's construction
