Messages

1

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Russian Ark

« on: December 11, 2004, 01:22:02 PM »

Sorry...I did a search for "Russian Ark", but nothing appeared. I guess the time period searched was too short. It was very interesting to see the photos and read the posts on the previous thread and I'm glad that I ordered it.

Rhon

2

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Russian Ark

« on: December 11, 2004, 10:34:23 AM »

I ordered the DVD from Amazon...it was under $10. I'm looking forward to seeing the interiors of The Hermitage and am curious about the way it was filmed in one continuous shot. Thanks for posting the picture from the film...very interesting. Who are some of the other people shown in the film?

Rhon

3

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Russian Ark

« on: December 11, 2004, 08:14:12 AM »

Has anyone seen this? From what I read about it on Amazon, it's a film shot in one continuous take of an hour and a half in The Hermitage. It apparently goes through numerous rooms of the museum and is kind of a "time travel" thing where we see different people and periods in Russian history, including Nicholas and Alexandra. I just wondered if anyone was familiar with it.

Rhon

4

The Hohenzollern / Re: Crownprince Wilhelm & Crownprincess Cecilie, their family, Part I

« on: November 15, 2004, 06:43:45 PM »

I heard about the book during my correspondence with the Adams Davidson Galleries regarding a portrait which turned out to be of the mother of the author, Leila Trapmann von Meister. I was able to order the book through Alibris, an online bookseller of rare and hard to find books. Leila's husband, Wilhelm von Meister, was apparently a German official called a "Landrant" in Homburg.  She writes about having the Kaiser at her home and various social activities, including a 1900 visit to meet Empress Frederick at Friedrichshof, which she described in detail. To quote a bit from that part of the book: "

"In appearance, she is very like Queen Victoria, only I should say better-looking, though of course I can't remember the Queen as anything but a very old lady. Still, I fancy as a younger woman the Empress must have had more looks and certainly very great charm, for this is still abundantly present in her clear straightforward eyes and her kind and gracious smile. You feel in the presence of a very distinguished Grande Dame."

I'm not at all knowledgeable about Imperial Germany, but I'm finding Leila's memoirs very interesting and I think anyone on this board would like to read the book, though it might be hard to find. Try Alibris or abebooks.com; I've had done business with both of them and found them to be reliable.

Rhon

The book was published in 1963 in London by Geoffrey Bles.

5

The Hohenzollern / Re: Crownprince Wilhelm & Crownprincess Cecilie, their family, Part I

« on: November 12, 2004, 07:42:32 PM »

I just received a book called "Gathered Yesterdays" by Leila von Meister, a distant cousin. She and her husband apparently moved in high society circles and she actually attended the wedding of the Crown Prince and the lady she called, "Duchess Cecilia". She described her as having "a most amiable and captivating smile, revealing a delightful personality". She also wrote that it was so hot in the chapel that "it oozed heat".  There are several pages of descriptions of the event and it would be a good book for anyone who'd like to read about the German court before and during WWI.

Rhon

6

The Yussupovs / Books by Felix Yusupov - "Lost Splendour" etc

« on: November 11, 2004, 03:21:09 PM »

I just read this book and would like to hear some opinions on it from others who are more informed and knowledgeable about the subject. Is there a general consensus on the credibility of the book?

Thanks,
Rhon

7

Films and TV shows about the Romanovs and Imperial Russia / Re: Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna - Amy Irving

« on: October 24, 2004, 03:19:17 PM »

Quite a few sellers on Amazon are offering it both used and new. Search for it under the title and the page will come up where you can see all the sellers listings.