Albert von Margutti: Historic Arms

I believe a painting of the coat of arms described above was commissioned by Tante Lisette as a gift for my father the year she died. It was found in her desk drawer, together with a note from my mother asking for a "coat of arms" for my father's birthday gift. Much later, I found the slip of paper above, describing the arms of the Baron von Margutti. I do not think my mother had anything specific in mind when she asked for the gift - probably the Chartrey de Menetreux arms would have done just as well - but it is pretty obvious from what we know now that Victor Margutti of California was Albert's closest male heir.

The public use and display of a personal coat of arms was banned in Austria in 1919, I believe, after the imperial court was abolished. This would have been for private decorative purposes only. Many thanks to Rosemarie Hindle, cousin of Ida von Margutti, who is working on an electronic image (to be posted here someday).

Margutti Children (and their mother Laure)

The Margutti children, from left to right:

Elisabeth, born 1886

Victor, born 1889

Louis, born 1885

These names and dates are noted on the back of the photograph, as well as the date in French, "July 1900." The picture was taken in Melun, France.

Laure Chartrey Margutti with young Victor, in Trieste, Italy

The back of the photo reads (in French):

"To My Dear Papa, Laure, 11 August 1891"

Victor Margutti of America

Victor Mario Margutti

1906-1994
Doctor

Father of Marilyn, Laura, and Elizabeth Margutti.

Victor Margutti of England

Victor Louis Alexander Margutti

1913-1980
Cinematographer

Father of Simon, Judy, and Guy Margutti.

Aunt Carlotta and Uncle Enrico

Carlotta Gallo Margutti and Enrico Margutti, Venice 1907

Parents of Albert von Margutti

This photo was found among Lisette's things. The back is inscribed in French, "Best wishes from your Aunt Charlotte and your Uncle Henri."

This picture was taken in the 40th year of their marriage.

Very rough translation of the wedding announcement (from the Italian):

On this most auspicious day, the 5^th of August 18 1867, the gentle and best Miss Carlotta Gallo, daughter of Dr. Vincenzo Gallo, cultured and esteemed professor of the mathematical disciplines in the honored and illustrious Trieste Naval Academy, and Enrico Margutti, of the glorious Austrian Naval Engineers. An invocation to heaven on this venture in marriage to the colleague and friend of her father, with all pure blessings and joys.

Cousin Albert von Margutti

Albert Alexander Vincenz, Baron von Margutti

Born November 28, 1869

Died January 3, 1940

Albert, a first cousin of our grandfather Louis Margutti, served in the court of the Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary for about 17 years, and in the court of the Emperor Karl until the Austrian-Hungarian Empire was dissolved at the end of World War I. He became one of Franz Joseph's personal aides.

Towards the end of his service, Albert was granted the title of Baron von Margutti. This picture was taken near the beginning of his service, in September 1902, and given to "Tante Laure" (Laura Chartrey).

Rodust Family, San Francisco

The Rodust family when they lived in San Francisco, on Washington Street, near Larkin, about 1885. Left to right: Bernhard (father), "Addie," "Birdie," "Daisy" (in front of Frank), "Frank," Mary (mother).

The children were known by their nicknames all their adult lives. I believe their actual names were Adelaide, Corolla, Mary Estelle (or Stella), and Adolph Francis Bernhard.

Birdie is listed in the 1880 census as a stepdaughter of the head of the household. Her father was probably Mr. Meyer, Mary Remarque Rodust's first husband. (Mary was better known as Marie when she worked as head seamstress at the City of Paris department store.)

I believe Birdie died between 1910 and 1920. Addie died in the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918. Frank and Daisy, the twins, lived to the 1940's. Frank never married; Daisy was the mother of Victor M. Margutti.