TRAPPINGS OF DEATH

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LIII, Issue 14, 19 February 1932, Page 8

TRAPPINGS OF DEATH

INVENTOR OF ETON CROP.

GLASS COFFIN AS BED.

Antoine, the famous Parisian hairdresser—the man who invented the Eton crop, which brought him a fortune—lives to-day surrounded by symbols of death in one of the most amazing houses in the world (writes the Paris correspondent of the London Sunday Chronicle).

Antoine is still young, still successful and popular, yet once he crosses the threshold of his home he enters a weird apartment where everything reminds him of the grave.

In his bedroom a crystal coffin serves for a bed until such time as it shall be needed for its regular purpose. Vases filled with lilies dot the room, while a place of honour is accorded to a replica of his tomb in miniature. The elevator leading to the apartment is made of glass and aluminium, and resembles the famous balloon in which Professor Picard made his altitude recgrd. In one corner of the great living room, on a pedestal, is a huge head carved in the manner of the most advanced modernists. It portrays "Thoughts on Death."

Within the pedestal is situated a radio set, and at the room's opposite end is a magnificent pipe organ.

Everything is carried out in a de-, corative scheme of sombre black. Even the bath is of black porcelain. Antoine has a grave, almost melancholy manner, and his eyes are dreamily sad. "I have prepared this home with all its symbols of death to remind me that soon I shall pass," he told me. "I have already had my tomb constructed at Gravignies, on a little property I own there. "It is of marble, and was executed by the noted Polish sculptor Xavier Dunikowski, of Cracow, from plans drawn by me. It represents the spirit's last kiss as it departs from the body. "I have planned my funeral in every detail. I shall lie exposed in the coffin surrounded by masses of lilies. My head will lie on a gathering of silver wings. "Vari-coloured lights will play upon me for 24 hours. The invitations to the funeral will be on glass. While the organ plays for the last time 12 beautiful mannequins, with hair dressed in my various most famous styles, will act as pallbearers."

! Antoine says there are also several surprises which will not be made known until the proper time. "I call the ceremony at my funeral j 'My last creation.' " he added.