Letters

The Bonwit Teller building was once the crown jewel of Fifth Avenue. I just loved that department store. The building was so historic.

Beginning in my early teens in the 1950s, my regular visits to Manhattan were always a pleasure. I would visit Bonwit’s each time. I could not afford anything there (OK, yes, stockings), but the experience was always joyful.

For those of you who do not remember it, the entrance to the store had a large, handsome bronze grate above the doors. High on the building were two bas relief Art Deco friezes featuring nearly nude females dancing with scarves. I loved them — the sheer beauty of the entire structure fascinated me.

I was so disappointed when the store closed. But times had changed, and the women who frequented the store were gone and other styles were predominating. Understandable, but sad as well.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art asked the owner if they could have the grate and the friezes. The museum felt they had historic value for the city of New York.

At first, the owner, Donald J. Trump, agreed, but soon changed his mind, citing time and money considerations. He also claimed that he had consulted with art specialists who did not agree with the museum’s contention that the items had any historic value. Soon, the items were smashed to dust and lost.

Another interesting fact is that two very famous artists in their youth worked at Bonwit’s as window dressers: Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol. Each of these important-to-New York City artists had their artwork displayed in the wonderful, full view windows facing Fifth Avenue. It was amazing. And, if I might note, historic.

In its place now stands the Trump Tower, a very tall building. Personally, I am not impressed by it.

I guess we might consider ourselves fortunate that Rockefeller Center or St. Patrick’s Cathedral were not available to destroy for the improvement of New York City.

America the beautiful is more than crass money. At least I think so.

Suzanne Murphy

Southampton