Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1528556
Salle Werner-Vaughn in the garden of her Harmonium compound in Houston's West End. The faded grandeur of Slippers, in River Oaks, on a corner lot encircled by Salle's dense tropical garden. Architectural historian Stephen Fox provided details about the home's lineage. "It was built in 1936-1937 by the Russell Brown Company, a prolific Houston residential builder which had in-house architects, in the country French style." Before the Vaughns acquired the house, the first long-term owners were Ada and Robert P. Doherty. Stephen Fox says, "Mr. Doherty was president, then chairman of the board, of the National Bank of Commerce, Jesse H. Jones' bank. The university library at the University of St. Thomas is named for the Dohertys." Opposite page: In the sculpture room, antique Italian trestle table, English stools. What remains of Jimmy's book collection, which traversed his downstairs library, as well as a wing of the upstairs that extended over the garage. The library amounted to thousands of volumes, many rare and sourced from distinguished book dealers such as Bernard Quaritch Ltd in London. Upon his passing, the most important tomes were donated to the Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas, Austin. The Ransom Center's Dr. Aaron T. Pratt says, "These volumes have already captivated international researchers, students at UT and other Austin-area institutions, and visitors to our exhibition galleries." Salle says, "Jimmy's mind was an ocean, vast and deep." XX