Customer Reviews

Fonthill : The Home of Henry Chapman Mercer--An American Architectural Treasure in Historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania

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I have visited Fonthill Museum many, many times and finally there is a book that does this fantastic place justice. The color photographs and the floorplans alone are worth the price of the book. Fonthill is a unique artistic expression of a relatively unkown renaissance man, Henry Chapman Mercer. As the book describes, despite its random apperance from the exterior and interior, the house is built with a great deal of thought, intent, and philosophy. If you love tiles, architecture, archaeology, the Arts & Crafts Movement, and history, then this book is a must read, and Fonthill is a must visit!

In 1908, tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer turned his artistic talents to planning and constructing Fonthill, a "castle in concrete". Fonthill served as Mercer's residence and a personal museum for his decorative tiles, prints and artifacts from 1912 until his death in 1930. Fonthill: The Home Of Henry Chapman Mercer is an informative survey and presentation of this architectural achievement, enhanced throughout with photography (22 b/w, 56 color), heretofore unpublished illustrations, as well as sketches and comments from mercer's own construction notebook. The photography, architectural cross sections and floor plans for each level of Fonthill highlight the innovative design, artistic detail and decorative tile work comprising an original American architectural treasure. Fonthill: The Home Of Henry Chapman Mercer is very highly recommended reading for architectural students and anyone with an interest in American architectural history and the National Historic Landmark series.

This comprehensive book beautifully illustrates an extraordinary home built by Henry Mercer in Doylestown, PA. The color photographs give the reader a glimpse of this tiled concrete castle. What a fascinating book about a fascinating home!