Evan, Viscount Tredegar : Evan in California and the relic of the ‘True Cross’ of Christ

 

BUST OF EVAN MORGAN BY PRINCE BIRA OF SIAM

Evan Morgan in California and the ‘True Cross’ of Christ

 An Extract  ( with additional text ) from the book

“Evan Frederic Morgan : Final Affairs Financial and Carnal”

 By William Cross, FSA Scot

 ISBN-13: 978-1905914241

 In the late 1920s  the Hon. Evan Morgan [1] was in Riverside, California as a guest of Frank A Millar [2] the proprietor of the Mission Inn hotel.

 Evan’s visit made such an impact that it features in a book published about Frank Millar and the Mission Inn:

 The book declares that:-

 “There was the incident of the visit of the Honorable Evan Morgan, son of Baron Tredegar of England.”  [3]

 Several tall stories are told of how Evan acquired a piece of the ‘ True Cross’ on which Christ was crucified, including  one ludicrous yarn of Evan making the find in the Holy Land (  he did  visit Jerusalem at least once ). Another ridiculous romp mentions Evan hiring a whole carriage of a train passing through Turkey to convey the relic back to  his home in Britain.

In  fact the real story of Evan’s precious possession relates to a reliquary of St John on the Cross at Mission Inn.

“ Mr Morgan had arrived at the [ Mission]  Inn on a trip around the world. Wandering among the crosses of the collection, he came upon a reliquary of St John of the Cross. Mr Morgan’s Catholic sympathies were pronounced, and St John was his patron saint; he went to curator, saying that he wished to buy this cross. The curator told him courteously that nothing in the cross collection was for sale.

“I must buy it.” The Honourable Evan Morgan repeated.      “ You must let me buy it.”

Impressed by the absence of any mention of price or inclination to bargain, Mr Borton, the curator promised to lay the matter before Mr Miller. Mr Miller replied that he was sorry, that nothing in the cross collection could be sold.

Mr Morgan now cried.  “Please tell Mr Miller that I will pay anything he wishes, but I must have the cross.”

This word he followed with a personal letter to Mr Miller, repeating the wish to have the cross at any price, and enclosing three papal rings, whose settings were exquisite intaglios cut in amethyst and topaz. Sitting before an open fire in his cowled monk’s dressing gown of brown burlap, Mr Miller dictated his reply.

My DEAR FRIEND:  I cannot find it in my heart to traffic in anything which you value as manifestly you this cross. Take it, with my appreciation of you.

I am returning the three papal rings, which I am sure that you value more than I would know how to do.

Sincerely yours, 

FRANK  A MILLER”[4]

Another  teller of the same tale suggests that on Evan’s visit to Riverside he  “ secured a relic of the ‘True Cross’  in exchange for a Cross which he [ Evan] procured from the Belgian battlefields and had blessed by the late Cardinal Mercier”. [5]

A COPY OF THE BOOK MENTIONED ABOVE 

“Evan Frederic Morgan : Final Affairs Financial and Carnal”

IS AVAILABLE FROM THE AUTHOR WILLIAM CROSS

EMAIL :

williecross@aol.com

[1] Hon. Evan Frederic Morgan ( 1893-1949). The last Viscount Tredegar of Tredegar Park, Newport, South Wales, UK

[2] Frank A Miller( 1858-1935) . Owner and developer of Mission Inn Hotel

[3] Gale, Zona. ‘Frank Miller of Mission Inn.’  D Appleton-Century company. (1938).

[4] Ibid.

[5] Advocate ( Melbourne), Vic. National Library of Australia. 18 August 1927.

 

Visitor Attendance at Tredegar House, Newport 2013-2020

 

Tredegar House

Newport Council* advises attendance at Tredegar House for the past 7 years TARGET 120, 000 ACTUAL 2013/14 57,280 2014/15 78,984 2015/16 90,285 2016/17 94,850 2017/18 88,309 2018/19 81,377 2019/20 89,234 RESULT FAILURE * Freedom of Information REFS 8381 8448 & 8496

Tredegar House, Newport, South Wales in the Post Virus World

 

Tredegar House, Newport, South Wales

In The Post Virus World

Is this the Shape of things to Come?

 The National Trust works  in a mysterious way, but there are leaks. A recent article in the ‘Daily Mail’ [1] revealed a “secret 17- page memo [2]described on its front page as ‘a ten year vision’ [3].. “described by the Mail as making “ chilling reading for those who cherish  [The Trust’s] traditional role of preserving great homes and their contents”. [4]

 

The memo attacks the Trust’s ‘outdated mansion experience, serving a loyal but dwindling audience’ and proposes an ‘urgent review of the opening hours of properties, along with a policy of putting art and antiques collections into storage so rooms can be used to develop “ new sources of experience –based income.” [5]

 

If this unattractive scenario is the fate of Tredegar House i.e. to be in the words of a Trust insider a property to be  “repurposed” [6] does Newport  want it that way for its Morgan time capsule?  Newport still owns the house, the National Trust are leaseholders.  Might the asset be better sold off lock stock and barrel or turned over to a  Welsh Heritage Trust (along the lines of CADW or a new post virus body?). Or is there support for acquiescing and the House being refashioned as a  National Trust  guinea pig?  Lawyers may be the only beneficiaries of  any challenge.

 

Additions to the Collections at Tredegar House : More Omissions

 

It is further reflection upon the  failed  management of Tredegar House by the National Trust that some Morgan artefacts that have appeared for sale in the public domain have been snubbed. It is unclear what, if any, substantial additions to the Tredegar Collections have been made in recent years under the Trust’s regime.  It is ONLY by having a  good spread of new features and discoveries that will attract visitors, rather than  languish in a graveyard of pictures and furniture offerings that have remained largely unchanged for several years.

 

The Appendix of this book refers to a number of  items that caught the Author’s eye where the National Trust may have benefited from their purchase to enhance  visitor experience or by having them on hand for display, or at  least adding them to the Collection where  they have valid Morgan family provenance or  new visitor appeal credentials. 

 

Compellingly, the fabulous collection of Chinese/ Tibetian art that was sold by Bonhams of London (and its branches elsewhere) in December 2019 is a  monumental loss to Morgan history, and whilst the sums of money involved were high, the point is many of these stunning items were previously owned by Courtenay and Evan Morgan. Several pieces sold in 2019 for comparatively modest prices.  Visitors would  have come miles to see them on show at Tredegar House.  Bonhams contacted the Author at the time the items were being catalogued for sale – in September 2019 -and information about them  was conveyed  to the National Trust at  Tredegar House. [7] It seems they did absolutely nothing to try to acquire any single piece. What a shame.  In previous years Newport Council have done far better than the National Trust in seeking grants, donations, and funding for Morgan artefacts, even where items were estimated to fetch into the many tens of thousands of pounds. [8] In bygone days popular events at Tredegar House brought in the crowds too.  A recent article in the ‘South Wales Argus’  mourns many of the events staged by Newport Council when Tredegar House’s true heart beat was for the people of Newport. [9] We shall not see those days again.

 

9 November 2020

 

EXTRACT FROM  A NEW BOOK BY WILLIAM CROSS

“ More Sketches of Evan, Viscount Tredegar, ‘Lord of the Lies’ ” ( 2020)

COPIES OF THE BOOK MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE AUTHOR WILLIAM CROSS - ALSO ON AMAZON AND EBAY

e-mail Author

wiliecross@aol.com

---

FOOTNOTES
 
 
[1] Daily Mail, 22 August 2020. “Is The National Trust Turning Into A National joke?” by Guy Adams.
 
[2] The memo is the work of Tony Berry, a senior visitor experience director if the Trust.
 
[3] Daily Mail, 22 August 2020.
 
[4]  Ibid.
 
[5] Ibid.
 
[6] Ibid.
 
[7] E-mails exchanged re: Sources re Tibetan art at Tredegar House  with Robin Hereford
Director of Private Clients, UK  Bonhams.
 
5 Sept 2019. Dear Mr Cross:   This autumn at Bonhams we are offering a collection of Tibetan / Chinese bronzes for sale this autumn that according to family history were owned by Courtenay Morgan in the 1920s / 30s.  He acquired them from someone called Alice Getty, who was born in Michigan, and who travelled extensively in the Far East collecting bronzes with her father before settling in Paris.  I was wondering if you had ever encountered her name amongst any correspondence with the family, or if you had ever noticed any records / inventories mentioning a collection of Tibetan / Chinese bronzes at Tredegar?  Any thoughts would be most welcome!
 
With best wishes, Robin Hereford
 
5 September 2019:  Hello Robin. Interesting mail.   This is new territory. I haven't seen anything in  the Archives  that clicks.  So  I’ll pass this email to  my writing partner Monty Dart   )( copied to this reply). She will send it to Emily Price, the Collections Manager at Tredegar House ( it’s now a National Trust property).  Not least  it  will serve  to inform Emily of the existence of the items coming up in case of interest in bidding.  But Emily will  also check I’m sure to see  if they have anything relevant to add to the background story from Tredegar House. 
 
Otherwise, the following  may be something or nothing!  But from a quick flick through sources I see that Evan ( Courtenay’s son)  opened a “Tibetan Exhibition” at the Berkeley Galleries  on the 14th December 1945  ( The Times  has it in their daily diary)
 
The Times of 27th  November 1945 also  has an appeal worded :
 
“ TIBETAN OBJECTS wanted to purchase for the Exhibition of Tibetan Art at the Berkeley Galleries 20 Davies Street, London W1”
 
It seems there was also  an earlier exhibition in 1943 and Evan contributed.  This is described as  a “ delightful exhibition of Chinese Art at the Berkeley Galleries…. Many of the lovely things are lent by private collectors, including Lord Tredegar, Major Peter Harris, Mrs. V. Alport, Mr. A. Kaufmann, Mr. E. Keeling”  Source :  The Tatler – 16 June 1943.
 
I don’t know if  any of Evan’s item(s) in these exhibitions  are the same as those you have for sale, but it's possible.     You will know how to track down the original  Berkeley Galleries  catalogues - if still available and worthwhile.  Evan did collect Chinese jade.  I believe he visited  China with Peter Watson the art collector.  Hard times  hit Evan in the 1940s so his art collection was flogged to private buyers.
 
Dear Will :  Thank you very much for your swift reply, and for the very interesting information.  From the dates we have it could be that some of Evan’s items that were exhibited in 1945 are the ones we are offering: we will track down the catalogues and see if they can shed any light!
 
Thank you too for sending the message on to Monty and the NT, and once they are photographed I will send you a selection of photos and a copy of the catalogue.
 
Best wishes,
Robin
 
[8] This article below on the rare ( c1720)  Morgan owned Cabinet  8 August 2010 is relevant to prove this point when funding of  £69,600 was generated by Newport Council’s Collections Curator at Tredegar House.  
 
http://www.friends-of-tredegar-house.co.uk/archive/miniature-cabinet-returns-to-tredegar-house/
 
[9] “The house and grounds became major visitor attractions, even before the National Trust took over the property.
Some of my best memories of the house include the annual Newport show, that included home wines, crafts, jams and other competitions. The prizes were nominal, usually less than a pound.
In the summer open air Shakespeare was a big attraction. My favourite performance was of A Midsummer Night's Dream by the Cwmpas Company on a particularly fine summer's evening.
In September the Vintage Car Rally attracted thousands of visitors and was a really enjoyable day. The weather was usually kind.
There were also antiques and craft fairs throughout the year. One year the South Wales Argus sponsored a motor show, supported by all the main garages ahead of the new registrations. I can even recall an open air concert. The audience brought their own picnics. If they had the foresight, they would have brought their own waterproofs as well.
It is a shame these events no longer take place In Tredegar House. It is a real asset to Newport.” South Wales Argus 4 October 2020. Sarah Wigmore.

 

More Sketches of Evan, Viscount Tredegar 'Lord of the Lies'

“More Sketches of Evan, Viscount Tredegar : ‘Lord of the Lies’

As seen by friends, foes and lovers ”

Book Midden Publishing  : ISBN 9781905914470

 ·        A new book about Evan Morgan, the last Viscount Tredegar was  published on 9  November 2020.

Copies of the book can be obtained by contacting the Author William Cross, FSA Scot  by e-mail  - also on Amazon and e bay. 

williecross@aol.com

 

Tredegar House Parties, Frolics and Fun 1934-1938 : Highlights

“Tredegar House : Weekend Parties, Frolics and Fun”

“Evan Morgan, Lord Tredegar's House Guests 1934-1938”            

    

·      A  cast list of over 300 guests who slept under Evan Morgan’s (Viscount Tredegar’s) 500-year-old-roof  at Tredegar House,  Newport, South Wales,  between 1934  and 1938.

·  The truth about the séances, spooky nights  and fortune telling!

·    Biographical sketches, dates of visits & photographs of the good, bad and disgraceful, including literary personalities, politicians,  spies, spivs, & many of the rich & noble & some  glamorous women of the era.

·   Details of  the famous novelist who finished off the final chapters of a best   seller at  Tredegar House? 

·   After the  ‘ rumour and myth’  that the American  Denham (Denny) Fouts ‘The World’s Best Kept Boy’ was ‘saved’ from jail by Evan Morgan,  what are the facts of  Evan’s relationship with Fouts, a boy  dubbed by Gore Vidal as “un homme fatal” . Did Fouts ever come to Tredegar House?

·    The gigolo and the  Archbishop…..

·     ‘Jolly boy’ sex and drugs  trips for Evan’s inner crowd to secret places. 

·  The facts concerning  Evan Morgan’s friendship with Crown Prince Paul of Greece ( later King of Greece).

·  Revelations (and written evidence ) of  how the ill-fated  Prince George, Duke of Kent became indebted to Evan Morgan. Learn too how Evan took charge of the Duke’s honeymoon trip in  Nassau.

·  Personal testimony and anecdotes from Alan Pryce-Jones,  Brian Howard,Cyril Hughes Hartmann, Lord Charles Carnegie, Desmond Leslie and many others on Evan Morgan’s house parties.

·   Recollections of a world  famous conductor’s stay-over at Tredegar House when he and his 92 musicians played to packed audiences at Cardiff and Swansea, making Welsh  musical history.

·  How Evan Morgan’s house party of 1936 reacted to the news of the Abdication of King Edward VIII,  a few weeks after the visit to Tredegar House by one of the King’s former mistresses and after Evan  met the King  during the infamous Valleys tour of “Special Areas”.

For further information contact the Author, William Cross, FSA Scot, by e-mail

williecross@aol.com

The book is available direct from William Cross and on e-bay and Amazon.

Tredegar House : Weekend Parties, Frolics and Fun: Evan Morgan, Lord Tredegar's House Guests 1934-1938

Tredegar House : Weekend Parties, Frolics and Fun

Evan Morgan, Lord Tredegar's House Guests 

1934-1938.   

Compiled by William Cross

FROM  NEWPORT HISTORIAN :  WILLIAM CROSS

·        A new book about  Evan Morgan’s notorious weekend house parties  has been published by Book Midden Publishing.

·        The compiler is Newport writer/historian  William Cross, FSA Scot,  author of eight other books featuring members of the Morgan family.

·         A complimentary segment of the book ie  the introduction (10 pages as a PDF file)   and  promotional flyers are available from the Author on request by e-mail. See contact details, below.

Essential reading for those interested in Newport’s most famous family and their history  and those who want to know the truth about Evan’s hospitality and who he invited to stay under his 500 year old roof during his early years as the lord of the Manor.

Cross adds “ The book is 150 pages long, over 55,000 words with over 400 End Notes. The main text  contains  over  100 images. There is also a  directory of over 300 guests whom Evan entertained, with biographical details, and dates when they visited Tredegar House,  some entries have photographs ”.

* Further Enquiries about the book etc please contact

William Cross

58 Sutton Newport, Newport, NP 19 7JF

Telephone: 01633 779731

FOR EDITORS

“Tredegar House : Weekend Parties, Frolics and Fun”

“Evan Morgan, Lord Tredegar's House Guests 1934-1938. “  Compiled by  William Cross. ISBN 9781905914531.   ( 2019)

Contact William Cross by e-mail

williecross@aol.com

The book is on Amazon and on e-bay.

 ISBN 9781905914531. 

Evan Morgan Viscount Tredegar : Remembered Friends Dead and Gone : Sir John Richardson : Bohemian Art Collector

Sir John Richardson : Picasso Man and Art Expert
Born 1924 : Died 2019

Reflecting in sorrow on the death in March 2019 in Manhatten, New York of Sir John Richardson (1924-2019) , art historian & Picasso expert, one the last old world bohemian aristocrats who knew Evan Morgan’s ( Lord Tredegar's ) shady world & the crude circle of patronage around Evan’s intimates Tony Gandarillas, Christopher Wood, Augustus John, the Cunards, mother Emerald and daughter Nancy et al,

Evan Morgan, Viscount Tredegar of Tredegar House, 

Newport, South Wales

Poet and Patron of the Arts 

1893-1949 

Evan Morgan on Twitter

https://twitter.com/EvanTredegar

Contact Evan's biographer William Cross, FSA Scot for more information on Evan Morgan, Lord Tredegar 

 williecross@aol.com