> From: Larry Loc <[email protected]>
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Robert W. Chambers and Broadalbin
> Date: Monday, July 28, 1997 11:36 PM
>
> Dear Linda:
>
> I am looking for information on Robert W. Chambers, a Gaslight writer
> from 1895 to 1933 and before that a painter and illustrator of books. He
> was from one of the 400 families. His father was William Chambers and> his mother was Caroline (Broughton) Chambers. He had a son, also a
> writer, named Robert Husted Chambers.
>
> 20th. Century Writers states that "Chambers was able to gratify his
> tastes for Chinese and Japanese antiques, old china and furniture,
> armor, and the restoration of his early nineteenth-century home in
> the Adirondack foothills, called Broadalbin".
>
> I do not know if the town of Broadalbin has anything to do with the
> Chambers faimly seat, Broadalbin. I am just shooting in the dark here.
> If you do know anything about the family I would be glad of your help.
> --
>
> Thank You
> > Larry Loc
> --------------------------------------
> | <[email protected]>��������������������������|
> | <www.ioc.net/~larryloc/index.html>�|
> --------------------------------------
> | Flying is Like Walking On Water,�����|
> | You can Either do it or you can't�������|
> --------------------------------------
Hi,
Your shot in the dark hit the target! I go by his former estate several
times a day on the way to and from work. It is now owned by the Catholic
church. The two best sources for info would be our Town Historian, Jay
Nellis ( xx xxxxx Street, Broadalbin) or the Fulton County Historian, Lewis
Decker (xxx xxxxxxx Street, Gloversville) There is supposed to be a bookwritten soon about him and his estate - I don't remember who was writing
it, but I do know how to find out. will let you know when I do.
Hope this helps,
Linda
Sent out 2 letters the next day to County and Town Historians
Saturday, 8-2-97
Phone call from Lewis Decker, Futon County Historian
Facts from interview:
Tells of paintings on the wall, books and papers still in place. Said that
he found papers from the 1700's in the attic. Also tells of the sale of
Chambers' butterfly collection.
Also found out that there is a book about Chambers or booklet that was written
by a local newspaper man
Facts from interview:
Mr. XXXX is 82 years old. He told much the same story as Mr. Decker.
Also arranged for me to get a copy of the Tomlinson book. Promised to
talk to Tomlinson and get me an introduction. Unlisted phone because of
his work as a reporter.
Searched for the name Chambers in Broadalin phone book online. Found a
family of that name. Called but they were not at home.
Said that Chambers's son Robert lived until the 60's and that his wife, in
his words "cleaned his clock" meaning that she took him for all he was worth
and cleaned out his mansion.
Said that Chambers' son was a bit cracked
> I understand that you have a book of Robert W. Chambers' horror stories
It's going to be out some time early in 1998. I've included a tenative
Shannon THE COMPLETE WEIRD FICTION OF ROBERT W. CHAMBERS [#60XX,
$XX.XX] This massive tome contains the complete weird fiction of Robert
W. Chambers, reknowned
author of The King in Yellow, and one of the literary influences
on Lovecraft's career. Figures such as Hastur, Carcosa, and Hali all
appear in early forms in these stories.
Table of Contents:
The Repairer of Reputations-(TKIY)
All stories are by Robert W. Chambers. The short stories are drawn from
six different
collections: The King in Yellow, The Maker of Moons, The
Mystery of Choice, The Tree of Heaven, and Police!!!
Dear Larry,
The Yellow Sign-(TKIY)
As far as sources for Chambers's works go, I'm afraid I can't help: apart
from a copy of THE KING IN YELLOW, the only Chambers works I have are the
photocopied stories Hugh has sent. I don't even know where to suggest to
look for Chambers's books: I know that Hugh got most of his material from
British libraries, which is probably the only place in Britain you'll find
Chambers in any quantity. I assume he's slightly easier to find in the
States, but I don't know.
Best wishes,
Henrik;
Got the booklet, "Robert W. Chambers: Life in Broadalbin" by Shawn M.
Tomlinson, Zirlinson Publishing. It is 18 pages xerox with a printed
coverstock cover in black and white. Has a number of photos I have not
seen before but not very good print quality.
Sad end to RWC's days. No one in town liked him. He lost lots of his
money in the 1929 stock crash. He stuck to himself and never had much to do with the town. After his death his wife published
books that he had started until she died in 1938.
The house was left open with everything in place and local kids burning his
papers to keep warm when drinking and making out in his abandon house. It was even used as a
brothel from time to time. Half of the land is under water now because
of a new dam and part (1/3) of the house has been pulled down and the
rest remodeled by the church to from a rectory. His son is reported to
have been in an asylum at one time. Maybe that is why nobody was there
to take care of the place after his wife's passing.
There is a picture of the house, not the best quality, which I will scan
and email {once I get the go ahead from Shawn}. Looks kind of like a small U.S. White House.
There is also one of the most complete listing of the works of RWC that
I have ever seen. I am putting it with some of the others I have and
will be posting as soon as I get it done.
More later
Larry Loc
Articles:
Stephen
Larry Loc
I have done a lot of research on Chambers' life in Broadalbin and think
that it could be of use to anyone with an interest in RWC. I am
including some of my research here since Hugh can't pick it off the
internet.
.....................reprint of Nellis info ............
X-Sender: [email protected]
From: Christopher Roden
Dear Larry,
Thanks for all the information about Chambers, which I've forwarded on to
Hugh Lamb, along with your snail-mail address. You've obviously done a lot
of research into Chambers's life, and I'm sure Hugh will appreciate the info.
Best wishes,
Hugh Lamb
25 October 1997
Dear Larry,
I am sorry it has taken me so long to contact you about the information on
Robert W. Chambers you so kindly sent to Barbara and Chris Roden. I'm happy
to say I've been able to incorporate it into the intro to the book, and you
will get a credit and a copy when it appears. Information on Chambers is
very scarce over here and this stuff on Broadalbin was priceless.
I've got two queries for you:
That's all I need to know to round off the bit on Broadalbin. As you have
gathered, I'm not on computer, not even likely to be, I'm afraid. If you
send me your phone number I can always ring, especially about the second book
for which I still have to write the intro, some time next year.
I understand there's another book of RWC stories edited by Joshi due out
soon, but he works differently to me and his will be a lot more weighty.
Again, thank you very much for the info, it was invaluble. And I say so in
the book.
Best wishes,
Hugh Lamb
Hugh Lamb����������������October 31, 1997
Dear Hugh,
Came in late from teaching last night, found your letter at the breakfast
table on All Hollow Eve morning, most apropos. Glad the Broadalbin stuff
helped.
To your questions, yes, the reservoir did cover 200 of his 400 acres.
Some say that he acted as if it didn�t bother him. I think that this was
just stoic behavior. This was the land he wrote about in his five great
novels of the revolutionary war. The drowned land, the Vlaie, the
Kennyetto river, and Sir William Johnson�s beloved Summer House Point and
Fish House all were covered. I think it took the heart out of him. He did
not live too many more years after the water covered his land.
What is left of Broadinbin House is owned by the Catholic Church. About
1/3 of the house was pulled down when they rebuild it into housing for
the clergy. The rest of the land is owned by a doctor. It was logged about
20 years ago. RWC�s 40,000 plantings going to make tooth picks, dog
houses, and toilet paper.
Thanks for the credit and the copy of the book. I�m just glad to do
something to help get Chambers� work back before the public. His horror
and historical is some of the best stuff of his day, even if most of the
romance is next to unreadable.
Check out Shawn M. Tomlinson�s "Robert W. Chambers - A Life in Broadinbin"
Also included some copies of the paintings I am doing for the first
Swedish edition of "The King in Yellow" that should be coming out next
year, Some articles from the 30�s that my research turned up, my database
of the printed work of RWC, my research path, and some of my wild
speculations from my web site.
My phone number is at the top of the letter head. I teacher
10 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Monday through Friday and teach night classes
Tuesday and Thursday nights. Should be home most of the other times.
(Times are California times)
Take Care
Larry Loc
====================================================
Reprints of emails: Sources on Chambers
====================================================
........................email and web site reprints.....
Nov. 9th. 1997
Phone call from Hugh
He read "Slayer of Souls" as a young man and has been a Chambers fan
ever since.
Wants to know more about the dam and how RWC reacted to the public
taking of his beloved land.
Wants info on RWCs later years for 2nd book, Chambers after 1900
Jay H. Nellis������������������November 11, 1997
Dear Mr. Nellis:
To start with I wish to thank you for the information you kindly sent me
on the life of Robert W. Chambers. It has been invaluable. I really loved
the interview and personal eye witness statements. The one about the fish
that got away did much to give me insight into the nature of the man.
It currently appears on my internet web site along with the rest of your
information with your name as source. And your information just figured
in the introduction of an anthology of Chambers� short stories coming out
from Ashtree Press. Here is what Hugh Lamb, the English editor of the
anthology has to say: "Information on Chambers is very scarce over here
and this stuff on Broadalbin was priceless."
The first book in this two set anthology is about the work of Chambers
before 1900 and should be out next year. I will be sure to tell you when
it comes out. The second book will be on the work of Chambers after 1900.
Both Hugh and I are interested in the later life of Chambers and in
particular the building of the dam that covered half of RWC�s beloved
estate. I would be grateful for any information on the controversy over
the building of the dam; things that appeared in the paper, things people
remember, anything that relates to the dam. Was there a split in the
community on this project, who was on what side, is this why some of
my sources say that Chambers was not liked in the community at the end of
his days? Any other information on the later life of RWC would also be
much appreciated.
Yours Truly
Larry Loc
--
Mr. Decker said that he and his friends use to play in what they
called the hunted castle, aka Broadalbin, Robert W. Chambers' family
estate, when Mr. Decker was a child.Shawn M. Tomlinson
Zirlinson Publishing
152 Stevers Mill Rd.
Broadalbin, NY 12025
Gave me the name, address, and phone number of a collector of Chambers work
who lives in Johnstown and was major source for the Tomlison book.
Called XXXXXXX XXXX in Johnstown.
8-3-97
Letter to Mr. XXXX
Talked to J F Chambers in Broadalbin, not related. RWC's family was Scotch,
his, J F Chambers, family was Irish.
That is two conflicting reports, one that the mansion was left empty with
everything in side and the other that Robert H. Chambers lived into the 60's
and that his wife got everything.
According to Scots Kith and Kin, Clan Chambers was in Lanarkshire in the 13th Century.
Subject:
Re: Robert W. Chambers
Date:
Mon, 4 Aug 97 10:17:53 -0700
From:
"Chaosium Inc." <[email protected]>
To:
<[email protected]>
> coming out. I run one of the three Chambers web sites on the internet
> and would like to know about this book for my own personal information
> and for announcement on my web site.
table of contents below. It'll be a real big book.
--
The Mask-(TKIY)
The Court of the Dragon-(TKIY)
The Yellow Sign-(TKIY)
The Demoiselle d'Ys-(TKIY)
The Prophet's Paradise-(TKIY)
The Maker of Moons
A Pleasant Evening
The Purple Emperor
Pompe Funebre
The Messenger
The White Shadow
Passeur
The Key to Grief
In Search of the Unknown
The Tracer of Lost Persons (Five chapter excerpt)
The Carpent of Belshazzar
The Sign of Venus
The Case of Mr. Helmer
The Bridal Pair
Out of the Depths
The Third Eye
The Immortal
The Ladies of the Lake
One Over
Un Peu d'Amour
The Eggs of the Silver Moon
Subject:
Re: Robert W. Chambers
Date:
Wed, 30 Jul 1997 11:58:38 -0700
From:
Christopher Roden <[email protected]>
To:
[email protected]
Thanks for the posting about our upcoming collection of stories by Robert
Chambers. It's being published in November, under the title OUT OF THE DARK:
TALES OF TERROR VOL. 1 (Vol. 2 is scheduled to appear either late in 1998 or
early in '99). Both volumes are edited and introduced by Hugh Lamb, who has
been researching Chambers for some time, and will include photographs of the
author. The books will be hardbound with dustwrapper, and can be ordered
directly from Ash-Tree Press. If you'd like, I can add your name to our
mailing list so that you receive advance information about the titles,
ordering details, price, etc.
The first volume concentrates on Chambers's pre-1900 fiction, with the
second volume picking up the story in 1900. Hugh has sent a preliminary list
of inclusions for the first volume: it might change (be added to), but here
it is so far:
Un Peu D'Amour
The Case of Mr Helmer
Grey Magic
The Mask-(TKIY)
In Search of the Great Auk
Passeur
The Death of Yarghouz Khan
Out of the Depths
The Third Eye
The Demoiselle D'Ys?-(TKIY)
In Search of the Mammoth
Death Trail
In the Court of the Dragon-(TKIY)
The Bridal Pair
The Messenger
Hope this is helpful. If you'd like to have your name added to our mailing
list then send me your snail-mail address and I'll do it.
Barbara Roden
Ash-Tree Press
*************************************************
*��������������Christopher Roden����������������������������������������������������*
*��������������P.O. Box 1360���������������������������������������������������������*
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Subject: Re: Chambers
����Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 22:48:19 -0700
����From: Larry Loc
����Organization: Loc Studios
����To: [email protected]/xxxxx.com
���References: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11
From: "STEPHEN DAVIES, MT. ROYAL COLLEGE"
From Kunitz and Haycraft's _20th C. authors_:
Book chapters:
Baldwin, C.C. _The men who make our novels_
Chambers, R.W. _The king in yellow_ (see Foreword
by R. Hughes to 1938. ed.)
Cooper, F.T. _Some American story tellers_
Honee, C. _A Sherlock Holmes birthday_
Overton, G. _Authors of the day_ (Grant Overton?)
_Cosmopolitan_, 1911-apr
_Forum_, 1918-may
_New Republic_, 1918-nov-30
_New York Times_, 1933-Dec-17 (This must be an obit.)
Here is snail mail
xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx. No. xx
Xx Xxxx, CA 9xxxx
X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.4 (32)
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Date: Tue, 09 Sep 1997 00:29:18 -0700
To: [email protected]
X-UIDL: 873811762.000
Subject: Re: Robert W. Chambers and Hugh Lamb
Status: U
X-Mozilla-Status: 0011
Content-Length: 282
Barbara Roden
152 Stevers Mills Rd.
Broadalbin, NY 12025
XX XXXXX Street
Broadalbin, NY