Edward B. Corey

Corey was a New York City real estate developer and theater architect and builder who was active in the early 20th century. He owned many high-value properties in Manhattan. He's probably best known for developing and constructing the Cort Theatre (now the James Earl Jones Theatre) in Manhattan's Theater District. He was involved in many other theater projects, as well, and had a significant impact on the theatre district's landscape.

In addition to his real estate dealings, Corey was the owner of the notorious dance hall known as the Haymarket that was located in the Tenderloin district. The Haymarket was popular for its illicit entertainment and was even referred to as the Moulin Rouge of New York. It made Corey very wealthy. It also earned him an indictment in February 1903 for keeping and maintaining a disorderly place (see upload).

The Haymarket was the subject of a 1907 painting by John Sloan (see upload).

Jamaica Bay Yacht Club Scandal | Belle Harbor Yacht Club

An April 24, 1904 article in The New York Times (see upload) reported that the Belle Harbor Yacht Club had just broken ground for their new clubhouse. According to the article, the majority of the members of the Belle Harbor Yacht Club were recessionists from the long-established Jamaica Bay Yacht Club who were angry because "Ed" Corey, former owner of the Haymarket, had been elected Vice Commodore. Corey's scandalous association with the Haymarket wasn't widely known when he was running for election. When some of the people Corey used to entertain at the Haymarket began to show up at the Jamaica Bay Yacht Club, membership was divided, and the Belle Harbor Yacht Club was formed to absorb the yachting prestige of Jamaica Bay.

The Evening World's August 5, 1912 edition ran a long article about Edward B. Corey and his antics (see upload) with the subtitle New York No Longer Good Enough for Ex-Owner of the Haymarket. Here are two things from that article:

"Corey had made good his promise to put the painted, frivolous creatures of the night and the gentry of the underworld into "society." The Jamaica Bay Club never knew such a season. But Corey and his friends had the club to themselves. He lasted only a year."

"... the Haymarket denizens "pinched" his yacht. Corey was sitting on the broad piazza with several members of the club and their families when a vessel, ablaze with light, was seen approaching. Her whistle was blowing, and was sending up rockets and her searchlight was writing names in the sky. Across the placid bay came the shrieks, laughter and ribald songs of women. The yacht was the Stella. As she drew near both anchors went rattling overboard. Her cannon boomed out a Presidential salute. The etiquette of yacht club was forgotten. Three boat loads of women reeled up to the landing..."

The Stella

The April 22, 1903 issue of the New York Tribune (see upload) reported that Edward B. Corey had sold the Haymarket. The article also mentions that Corey will be going on a cruise to the Thousand Islands on his steam yacht Stella.

The Brooklyn Eagle also ran an article in their April 22, 1903 issue that described the Stella as an 85-foot steam yacht. At that time the yacht was being thoroughly overhauled and refitted in Far Rockaway, L.I. She was being painted and her spars scraped. Her cabins were being upholstered with rich hangings and new rugs and furniture were being added. It's possible the cup & saucer offered for sale was part of a set of china that was ordered around that time.

What Became of Edward B. Corey?

The article that appeared in The Evening World in 1912 reported that Corey had sold his 18 houses at Far Rockaway and had told friends that he planned to live full-time in Paris. The article made the point that the Haymarket name had hurt Corey, and that he became enraged when people called him an ex-divekeeper.

From what I've been able to piece together, Edward B. Corey and his wife retired in Manhattan. Little is documented about Corey's life post-retirement, but he appears to have lived quietly as a real estate investor in New York City. He may have wanted a quiet life, away from the spotlight and his prior reputation.

Identification

One side of the cup features an EBC monogram (Edward B. Corey) above STELLA, the name of the vessel. The other side features a gold mast with a double swallow tail burgee (flag) that's blue with a white "X" with a shamrock in the center. Corey was associated with the Jamaica Bay Yacht Club. However, this burgee doesn't appear to have belonged to this club. It may have been a personal design.

Item Description

The cup is marked Higgins & Seiter New York. Higgins & Seiter sold fine china, crystal, and other home furnishings from the late 19th Century until it filed for bankruptcy in 1915. Both pieces are also marked CHINA with an M above and L beneath. This mark is from Maddock Pottery in Trenton, NJ, and was used around 1900.

The saucer measures 4 11/16" and the cup is slightly more than 2 1/4" tall. Both pieces are trimmed in bands of green. The green band towards the center of the saucer has some wear. No chips, cracks, or other damage to either piece.

This set is a rare piece of history with an interesting story to tell about an infamous real estate mogul who had a hand in shaping New York's theatre district. Despite the fact that he also ran one of the city's most legendary houses of ill repute during New York's Gilded Age, he somehow managed to fade into obscurity.