StevenT Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 I inspected a home yesterday that is probably the most interesting than I have ever been in. Image Insert: 74.68 KB Built in the 1880's, it belonged to the Krieschler family... they made bricks. All of the first floor walls and some ceilings were carved leather. Image Insert: 144.23 KB Image Insert: 112.87 KB Image Insert: 77.29 KB Image Insert: 72.7 KB Image Insert: 101.59 KB Image Insert: 81.24 KB Image Insert: 69.98 KB But there is more to this home's history. It seems that about two years ago, before the present owner purchased it. Someone was murdered and stuffed into the furnace. The FBI took it away as evidence. These babies have been installed as replacements. Image Insert: 53.43 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Hockstein Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Was Norman Bates around when you were there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtblum Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Had the victim been skinned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark P Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Do you know the selling price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenT Posted November 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 The house is already sold. It was bought by an out of state developer that has already built quite a bit on Staten Island. He plans on building on the property. The existing home is a protected landmark. He is going to build around it and use the house as a community clubhouse. The caretaker (an old football team mate of mine) has been living there rent free plus a salary for the past few years and probably at least a few more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 I think I would have booked out the entire day to inspect that one just so I could enjoy it. How long did it take you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHI in AR Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Looks like an all day job to me even if you don't spend an inordinate amount of time "sightseeing". Totally cool. I'm jealous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenT Posted November 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Actually, it wasn't a traditional Home Inspection, it was an insurance inspection. The whole thing took about 1/2 hour... plus an hour of shooting the breeze with my friend that I haven't seen since I was 17. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonOfSwamp Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Carved leather or.... lincrusta/anaglypta? I ask only because it looks like factory-made stuff, what with the repeating patterns. I don't think leather could be carved quite so uniform. Of course, I could be wrong, WJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenT Posted November 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 WJ, I can't even say those words, let alone know what they mean. I guess it's Google time. I asked the caretaker and he told me it was leather. Yes, there is definately a repeating pattern. But I am really not sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenT Posted November 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Walter, I googled lincrusta and anaglypta. I see what you are talking about and I guess it could be that. The only problem is that it seems that lincrusta was invented in 1877, I believe the house was build a few years prior. I also googled leather wall coverings and found embrossed leather wall coverings with repetitive patterns, so I'm really not sure. I wonder how one would tell the difference without damaging the material? Anyway, they say you can learn something new every day... today it was from you. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenT Posted November 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 I just googled "Kreischer Mansion Staten Island", hoping to find out about the architecture of the house. I didn't find out much yet, but there is a ton of stuff about the murders and about the house being haunted. And to think that my friend lives in that place all by himself. EEKS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Originally posted by StevenT I just googled "Kreischer Mansion Staten Island", hoping to find out about the architecture of the house. Queen Anne I didn't find out much yet, but there is a ton of stuff about the murders and about the house being haunted. And to think that my friend lives in that place all by himself. EEKS!!! Could it be the spirit of an old friend that lives there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 I see this stuff as wainscoting in stairwells a fair amount in old 2 flats. We call it embossed leather. I've never really researched the proper name for it, as it's relatively common in the old stuff. Cool job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonOfSwamp Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 I think if one were to cut it up, run sandpaper over it and smell it, it wouldn't smell like leather, and it would turn out to be lincrusta or anaglypta. IIRC, both are essentially thick paper with embossed patterns. WJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 I find it interesting that a brickmaking family would have such a house and not have any brick anywhere. ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenT Posted November 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 There are a number of fireplaces in the house. Some of the hearths are made with bricks that are stamped with their name in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Originally posted by SonOfSwamp I think if one were to cut it up, run sandpaper over it and smell it, it wouldn't smell like leather, and it would turn out to be lincrusta or anaglypta. IIRC, both are essentially thick paper with embossed patterns. WJ I'm sure you're right. In 2 flats, it's usually a paperlike product, but we still (incorrectly) call it leather. I actually saw real embossed leather, but it was in an old mansion they were tearing down on the south side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Originally posted by Jeremy I find it interesting that a brickmaking family would have such a house and not have any brick anywhere. ?? Not everyone likes to take their work home with them[] Very cool house! Steve, when are you giving tours? Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acorn Home Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 This would be a cool place to visit/inspect. Thanks for sharing. [:-thumbu] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenT Posted November 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 I am welcome to bring visitors anytime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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