Samuel Merrin & The New York Times

The Merrins' apartment in the prewar building
at West End Avenue also features a gym.

Samuel Merrin, like his father Edward, is no stranger to appearing in the New York Times. Whenever hosting an exquisite exhibition at their NY Fifth Ave. gallery, the pair would be heavily quoted in the weeks piece on antiquities at the NYT.

No doubt this is because they are prime experts in the field.

Recently, however, Samuel's wife, Holly, was  featured in an article on New York property, titled "In New York, the Suddenly Buff Prewar Building".

The article discusses that there are many renovated, prewar buildings littered around New York, but only a portion have modern facilities, like a gym, etc.

Holly Merrin, who with her husband just bought two apartments in a prewar building at 845 West End Avenue, shares these sentiments [that a prewar building needs to be modern]. Early next year, the condominium will open a basement playroom with a window facing a new fitness room, “so you can watch your children when you’re in the gym,” said Ms. Merrin, who has three children, 4, 5 and 7.  

The Merrins, currently renters, had been apartment hunting for five years. “We wanted a prewar but one with great amenities,” Ms. Merrin said. “We wanted a combination of old and new — my husband, Sam, who’s an art dealer, especially cared about the old — and this was the perfect combination.”

It is true that many buildings in NY are already outdated, despite being a more modern city than, say, London — where the small streets and even smaller apartments still cost in the millions.

Reviews on the Merrin Gallery

In addition to hosting information about Samuel Merrin - such as his early years with ancient art, his work, internships, experiences, friends - the Yelp listing of the Merrin Gallery also provides space for reviews.

Showing a map, and transport information (i.e. how to get there), the gallery's page also lists the history of the Merrin Gallery, going into specifics such as when it was established, how, and where the idea came from (a honeymoon). It also lists recommendations of the Merrin Gallery, including but not limited to former client museums and friends. A particularly interesting excerpt is on the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York:

A renowned client of the Merrin Gallery, the Met Museum cultivated Samuel Merrin's early interest in ancient art, through an internship at the museum.

A very beautiful silver amphora
(a type of jar) which actually
doesn't come from Greece or Rome
as usual - but the older tradition
of the ancient Near East.

The Merrin Gallery's specialities are also listed, which gives readers an idea of what's available (and it seems - art from any and every ancient civilization). Reviewers have listed the gallery as accepting credit cards, being wheelchair accessible, and "good for kids", which seems to be something to do with a later comment I found: "Ask to see the secret cabinet behind the revolving wall".

It also shows some images of ancient art-works, although more can be seen on their own official website. I investigated, and these images are mostly from the "Sold" collection, but are very beautiful indeed. However, there's a huge selection of works at the Merrin Gallery's disposal as can be seen on their website, so it's not like they're limiting your options. But take do take a look at the gallery's images on Yelp.

Overall, a good page, and an interesting read - although very similar to the many other resources of the Merrin Gallery that are out there (as listed on this blog). Which, is not a bad thing - as they're all very good, but I'll be looking out for some new information.