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3 Responses to “American Country Houses of the Gilded Age (Sheldon’s “Artistic Country-Seats”)”

1. admin
   01月 31st, 2008 at 11:52 pm

   

   By Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA)
   “American Country Houses of the Gilded Age” reprints 100 photographs from “Artistic Country-Seats,” a book originally published in 1886-87 with commentary by George William Sheldon. This new version of the collection replaces Sheldon’s original comments with those of Arnold Lewis. But the real “stars” of the book are the 93 houses and four casinos portrayed in the excellent black-and white photos.
   These houses represent some of the most stunning mansions of the late 19th century. Most of these buildings were built in the northeastern United States. Each plate is accompanied by both Lewis’ comments and by a first floor plan.

   The houses themselves represent many of the popular styles of the era: Tudor, “Shingle,” Queen Anne, Chateauesque, Richardsonian Romanesque, Colonial Revival, and Exotic Revival. The crisp photography captures a wealth of beautiful details: covered verandas, stone arches, classical pillars, towers, pinnacles, parapets, half-timbering, castellations, fanciful dormers, and intricate decorative flourishes.

   The only disappointing aspect to the book is the fact that only the first floor plans are included. Plans for the other floors would have increased the book’s value as a record of social history. Nevertheless, the detailed first floor plans do offer fascinating insights into the lives of the wealthy families of the “Gilded Age.” You can imagine yourself wandering through the billiard room or music room of your favorite mansion! If you are fascinated by American home architecture, or if you simply want a taste of this opulent era, you will love this book.

2. admin
   01月 31st, 2008 at 11:53 pm

   

   By A Customer

   I work in the home construction field and marvel at the houses that were erected in the late 19th century. I try to imagine what it would be like to build these homes today. Reading the book gives me an idea of the time and effort put into constructing these homes. The sad reality is that more than half of them have been lost to fire, the wrecking ball, or progress. I recommend this book to anyone who is working in the residential construction field. In particular anyone who is erecting our modern “McMansions”for the pseudo rich. The book will show you what a real Mansion should look like.

3. admin
   01月 31st, 2008 at 11:54 pm

   

   By A Writer (VT USA)
   This book is richly illustrated with black & white photos of historic houses in the United States. For the person interested in houses from the gilded age, this book provides clear photographs with a minimum of text that can be studied in detail. The photos, more often than not, set the house in its surroundings, however photos of gardens and landscape architecture is minimal. This book is ideal for someone looking for ideas to incorporate into their own plans for home-building, as well as for students and professionals seeking a good photographic reference to the gilded age that covers houses in many regions of the country.