American Country Houses of the Gilded Age (Sheldon's "Artistic Country-Seats") (Dover Architecture) [Paperback]

A. Lewis (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Architecture | Publication Date: December 1, 1982

Reproduces all of Sheldon's fascinating and historically important photographs and plans for a total of 97 buildings (93 houses, 4 casinos) built during the 1880s. Adds a new, thoroughly accurate text by Arnold Lewis. Approximately 200 illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; 1ST edition (December 1, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 048624301X
• ISBN-13: 978-0486243016
• Product Dimensions: 12.3 x 9.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #518,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A smorgasbord of architectural opulence, January 11, 2001

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Country Houses of the Gilded Age (Sheldon's "Artistic Country-Seats") (Dover Architecture) (Paperback)

"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.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the money, August 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: American Country Houses of the Gilded Age (Sheldon's "Artistic Country-Seats") (Dover Architecture) (Paperback)

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.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, August 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: American Country Houses of the Gilded Age (Sheldon's "Artistic Country-Seats") (Dover Architecture) (Paperback)

This book let's readers see how the wealthiest people in America lived back in the late 1800's. The floor plans are, although small, completely readable. I do wish the author would have included the floor plans for the second, third, etc. floors. Great photographs and good desrciptions of the homes.