First Post and we will see how inept I am with this!
I am an architect in the Pasadena, California, area and have a particular interest in the Architecture of the Alexander Palace.
I, like all of you probably, have collected thousands of images and downloaded the entire Beinecke collection so I can study them closely.
Given the severe climate on the area, it is surprising so much of the architectural detail of the Palace has survived, much of it from Catherine's time. I have noticed that the iron railings and balusters outside the Semi-circular Hall is still obviously intact from the time of the Romanov residence there. But I am curious if anyone has noted that a similar, if not exact, duplicate of this ironwork once was place in front of the palace. I am going to try and upload four photos. If it does not work (and it still seems like Greek to me) you can go to my Photobucket account:http://photobucket.com/albums/e236/Kevint1us/
The file is ironwork.
One shows the present state of the ironwork outside the Semi-Circular Hall. Another is a photo, somewhat vague, of the Palace front, adjacent to the Imperial Family wing, which shows both the heavy shrubs that used to exist there and a guard kiost. this was taken presumably during their residency.
Another shows Alexei being pedaled around the drive and again, the railing there is very clear. And a fourth picture is copied from the new book "The Amber Room" and shows several people standing next to a railing that appears to be the same iron detailing.
No such railings exist today.
Mark