Originally Posted by
Lorax
I have been watching this thread without commenting, since I probably don't have much to contribute, but here's a couple of anectdotes that may be of interest.
I was allowed a private walk through tour of the UA in 1986 by the then caretaker/handyman of the David Whitney Building, who's Canadian owners also owned the UA at the time. The lights were functioning, and the auditorium and lobby were in really pretty good shape. Most of the damage was in the lobby areas, but all of the plaster maidens, the big gold figure was still there, and the chandeliers were still there too- one had fallen to the floor, and it's glass panels were largely broken out, but still there. Also, there were two magnificent, what looked to be bronze lanterns, maybe 10 feet high in niches on either side of the stage, which were still lit and working. All of this is gone, I'm assuming at this point.
Also, I have a very interesting trade book from the Voight Plaster Company, which was a prominent firm in the casting of plaster ornamentation- even Paul Philippe Cret ordered ceilings from them for the DIA, which are featured in the catalogue.
I think this may be a rare resource, that could be used for design replication. I don't see any mention of the UA, but there are so many designs for borders, coving, ceilings, figures, etc, that when the time comes, I'm happy to scan this book for whomever needs to reference it for renovation purposes.