Vase, circa 1900

Edmund G. Burke was born in Bethel, Ohio, in 1877. As a titan of real estate, Mr. Burke was a passionate collector and philanthropist who sought to preserve history for future generations. In 1926, Mr. Burke acquired the famed 'Idle Hour', former residence of William Kissam Vanderbilt (1849-1920), in Oakdale, New York. That same year, a record breaking auction of select treasures from 'Idle Hour' brought over $34,000 with the proceeds eventually destined to fund arts programs in his hometown state of Ohio. Of particular note was Mr. Burke's bequest to fund a significant arts center at Denison University in Granville, including the Denison Art Treasure Collection. As an avid art collector himself, Mr. Burke retained several articles from the early 'Idle Hour' acquisition, to maintain in his own collection, several of which have passed down through his family today.