Colonel Thorn apparently was mistaken for royalty after he purchased Charles X's coronation carriage. here is a description of it: On 28th May 1825, Charles X was crowned in Reims, thus reconnecting with the principles of monarchy by divine right. This grandiose ceremony demanded an exceptional coach. Designed from 1814 by the architect Percier and... Continue Reading →
I have copied this from The American Register newspaper article that published Jane Mary Thorn's last will and testament. I am most curious about the missing art she mentions, but I also believe her tiara was quite famous. I wonder whose collection it now sits in? The most important find from reading this, is the... Continue Reading →
So, I'm a little confused over something. I'd love your thoughts! Which of the Thorn girls are in the first two paintings below with Ellen? Alice or Ida? The Frick collection notes say it's the Countess de Ferussac (Alice), but in his biography Healey refers to painting the two youngest Thorn girls, which would make... Continue Reading →
You can't imagine how thrilled I was to find this ghost story about Colonel Thorn. Even if the journalist denounces its veracity, it's quite a find! I love how this family saga has so many dimensions. It seems the Colonel loved having his big family all around him, and in latter years it was nothing... Continue Reading →
In researching Herman Thorn's life, I have found a rich composite of stories and snippets that paint a picture of the man. While clearly a spendthrift and a classist social climber, he was also gentlemanly, with a sense of humour and an inclination to host benefits for people in need, such as the impoverished German... Continue Reading →
I have not been able to establish if this was a model of a real boat. If it was, I suspect it had a different name. But there is no mention (that I can find at least) that the Colonel commissioned a boat to be built to sail his family to Europe. Below is the... Continue Reading →
As I try to build a picture of Colonel Thorn's character, I try and envisage many things: how he dressed, what things he surrounded himself with, what his tastes were - in essence, his style. Below are some of the glimpses I've had into the material aspects of his life. This also gives me more... Continue Reading →
And so the recounts of the Colonel's masked ball continues. If nothing else, I will one day write this in a fictional form because... well I do love a good party! COLONEL THORN'S BALL Everyone in Paris knows the Hotel Monaco, a veritable reception area, which belongs to Mme Adélaïde, which M. Colonel Thorn, this... Continue Reading →
The Colonel's masked ball in 1840 with the Louis Quatorze theme was written about in many places. I've outlined the evening in two earlier posts but I think it's worth sharing other accounts of the night, so that we can see exactly what an incredible event it was. Here is a version of the evening... Continue Reading →
The renown artist, G.P. A. (George) Healy had an enduring friendship with his patron, Colonel Thorn. Not only did he paint many portraits of the family, but he had his "own room" in their Sixteenth St residence in the Flatiron district in Manhattan. They met on a voyage to Paris in 1831. From that first... Continue Reading →
The Colonel and Mrs Thorn 
[…] Mr Maurer […]
I noticed that too..nicknames add even more color to the picture
Oh, yes I found the photo amd put it on the poat about the Thorn granchildren! From Jane's letters it…
I shared her portrait and her father James with you…James is the black framed portrait vs the giant gold framed…
Dear Jacqueline, I feel the same as you. It has brought so much to life. Jane is clearly very fond…