Empty Mansions discussion

If you've seen an early reader's edition of Empty Mansions, you've seen only the few black-and-white photos displayed in the text. The final hardcover book has more than 70 photos, most of them in color.


In the book you'll see photos of Huguette at various stages of her life, photos of her family, paintings that she created, her homes, her doll collection, her jewelry, her friends, her correspondence, and other aspects of her life.


Most of the photos have not been published previously.


Some of the photos are online now at emptymansionsbook.com.

-- Bill Dedman

Wow! That room is truly spectacular! Glad it was preserved. I really love Huguette's painting of the Geisha. She was talented. Are copies of her works available? I'm looking forward to reading the book even more now. Thank you for sharing

I would like to politely state that the "Geisha Painting" is to my knowledge not a Geisha at all as noted in the description of the painting. Her kimono belt (obi) being knotted in the front and her hair ornaments (kanzashi) are that of a Japanese courtesan known as an Oiran. These are two completely different professions. This common mistake made in western culture has led to many misconceptions about Geisha and Japanese culture.

I really enjoyed the book Bill and the photos were amazing. I agree that Huguette was quite talented as a painter. It's sad to know that the Clark mansion no longer exists, along with all the other great buildings that were taken down in the name of progress... I have to believe that people are sorry now that they are lost. I'd never heard of W A Clark or his family before and their's was such an interesting story, thanks to you and Paul for bringing it to our attention.

I also had never heard of W.A. Clark, but was completely captivated by his story and by Huguette's. The description of the destruction of the Clark mansion with the marble staircase being thrown in the ocean and the organ being lost was very distressing to me. What a waste of beauty and workmanship,

I really enjoyed this book; it gave a new dimension to Huguette, she was not a silly old women playing with dolls, but a well educated multi-lingual women with an intense interest in Japanese history. A sad but true story that money does not always bring happiness.

Thanks Bill, you are correct, I should have rethought the last sentence; each person finds happiness in their own way. I was using my frame of reference in that I would find the isolation difficult.

A new book came out recently about Huguette--more about her than her mansion, "The Phantom of Fifth Avenue: The Mysterious Life and Scandalous Death of Heiress Huguette Clark." It's an interesting read having read "Empty Mansions."