TWA Hotel opens at JFK airport. The hotel will take guests back in time to an era of luxury, accommodation, and service. The 505 room hotel, conference center and meeting rooms will remind travelers of the era of jet set travel.
Harold Stevenson Jet Sets from New York to Paris
The jet set became a cultural term in the 1950s when international travel became popular for the wealthy and those with leisure time. Pan Am began their iconic New York City – Paris route in 1958. Harold Stevenson, the man from Idabel Oklahoma, moved from NYC to Paris in 1959. He would spend the next ten years jet setting back and forth. In 1963 – 1964, Richard Feigen Herbert Palmer gallery exhibited Harold Stevenson at 3 of their locations: Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. Stevenson’s Parisian agent, Iris Clert, was a mistress of marketing.
Iris Clert Post Cards of Pan Am Flight
Iris Clert would mail post cards to galleries, collectors, patrons, museums, media, gossip columnists, and friends. Iris Clert promotes Harold’s art with catchy ideas. Who knew her Idlewide JFK airport terminal would become an iconic representation of the era of jet set travel. The airport is called Idlewide for decades. After President Kennedy’s death on Nov 22, 1963, the New York City airport name was abruptly changed to JFK. The renaming ceremony was held on December 24, 1963, barely four weeks after the loss of our President.
Post Card from Idlewide
When looking at ephemera, the postcard reads “Arrive Idlewide.” It was probably one of the last photographs made in front of the iconic sign.
Death of President Kennedy
In another twist of fate, the Feigen-Palmer gallery would send a postcard cancelling Stevenson’s party. It was scheduled for Monday, November 25, 1963, the day of President Kennedy’s funeral. It is one of the saddest days in United States history. Little John John held is grieving mother’s hand and saluted his father.
Did Harold Stevenson have Feigen-Palmer exhibition in 1963?
After a week of research in New York City, I have been unable to document a Feigen-Palmer exhibition in November 1963 for Harold Stevenson. Stevenson had a 1962 exhibition with Sidney Janis Gallery. Harold had a 1963 exhibition in Paris France and the 1964 exhibitions with Feigen-Palmer. If you know of a 1963 United States exhibition for Harold Stevenson please contact us.
Cover Photo: Post card of Harold Stevenson and Iris Clert, 1960s Jet Set ready for the TWA Hotel at JFK. Photo by Andre Morain.
