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Jackson Pollock’s Penthouse 1824

by Jackson Pollock, 1912-1956

Abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock moved into 46 Carmine Street sometime in the 1940’s. According to rumors, Pollock chose the building in order to have 46–his lucky number–in his address.

This building was also once owned by Aaron Burr, the third Vice President of the United States. Burr is most famously known for shooting and killing his political rival Alexander Hamilton in one of the most famous personal conflicts in US history. The year-spanning personal conflict between the two men finally came to a head when Hamilton attacked Burr’s character in 1804 during the New York gubernatorial race. The politicians decided to lay their conflict to rest by challenging each other to a pistol duel in the Palisades in New Jersey, a site chosen in order to avoid New York’s strict laws against dueling. The New Jersey cliffs were often used as a dueling ground, and were the site of 18 documented duels between 1798–1845.

Though Hamilton took the first shot, he missed Burr. Burr then returned fire and fatally wounded the Vice President. Though Burr was never tried for the duel, Hamilton’s murder ended Burr’s political career. After the duel, Burr traveled to Europe in an attempt to make a new life for himself and restore his reputation. He then finally settled in New York and purchased 46 Carmine Street.

 

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