The Golden Age of Ironwork (Hardcover)

~ Henry Magaziner (Author), Robert Golding (Photographer) "While it is true that Samuel Yellin, with his favorite whimsical animal heads in iron, drew more heavily on French Gothic tradition, the Spanish craftsmanship..." (more)
Key Phrases: true wrought iron, basement window grilles, exterior ironwork, Spruce Street, Street Architect, Samuel Yellin (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The theme ... is to further a better appreciation of the inherent beauty of fine ironwork, both wrought and cast. -- Anvil's Ring, fall 2000

Product Description

The Golden Age of Ironwork, by Henry Jonas Magaziner, covers ironwork from roughly 1840 to 1930. Thus, it includes cast iron, which prevailed during the nineteenth century and hand wrought iron, which triumphed from about 1900 to 1930. With 173 photographs by Robert Golden the books describes this period golden period. There are also a few examples of contemporary ironwork

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Skipjack Pr (October 13, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879535149
• ISBN-13: 978-1879535145
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #608,301 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book on Iron Work, March 13, 2001

By A Customer

The Golden Age of Ironwork by Henry Jonas Magaziner

Reviewed by Chuck Hamsa

I have been fortunate enough to get my hands on a copy of the latest book from SkipJack Press, and, as usual, publisher Jack Andrews has made a significant contribution to the world of architectural ironwork with the publication of this book. It examines ironwork from a unique perspective. It's about a specific place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a specific time - roughly 1840 to 1930. However, it is not about a specific technique. There is a lot about cast iron in this book as well as forged iron. It's more about the context in which architectural iron was used, both cast and wrought, and how examples of the iron worked with the houses and buildings where it was place.

Before reading this book, I looked down on cast iron as a poor substitute for blacksmithing. In today's world, that opinion may be debatable, but after heading this book I've changed my views. I will never look at cast iron the same way again. The examples of early iron casting shown in this book are works of art in the truest sense. Throughout the book examples of how the ironwork enhances and supports the architecture, both cast iron and wrought iron, and why the iron works. For example, the author examines the symbolism found in a cemetery gate detail, complete with cast weeping willow tree, doves and lambs, and explains that it was used as a typical Victorian image for the grief of family members.

The information about casting is most interesting; at the same time, there is no shortage of wrought iron examples here. Many photographs of Yellin's work in Philadelphia are included which is logical, since Philadelphia was the home of Yellin's Arch Street studio for so many years. There are many examples of railings and gates by other unknown blacksmiths as well, all in high-quality images by photographer Robert Golding. The 168 photographs are logically catalogued in the back of the book There is also a glossary; the book's research is documented with references, a bibliography is given, and it is indexed. These details help the book serve as a valuable research tool.

I can strongly recommend this book; the approach is unique, the commentary informed and the examples are beautiful. It would make a wonderful present for someone whose interests lie in the field of ironwork.

5.0 out of 5 stars far reaching, October 9, 2007

By	tom "really messy cook" (nola) - See all my reviews

i am a tour guide/buggy driver in new orleasn(lots of iron work). this helps give a more complete understanding of the subject.