{"product_id":"great-american-mansions-and-their-stories-merrill-folsom-1963-architecture-1","title":"Great American Mansions and Their Stories Merrill Folsom 1963 Architecture","description":"AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE • HISTORIC HOMES • GILDED AGE ESTATES\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGreat American Mansions and Their Stories by Merrill Folsom, published by Hastings House in 1963. This illustrated architectural history will appeal to readers interested in historic American homes, Gilded Age society, architectural preservation, interior design, and the families whose wealth and ambitions produced some of the country’s most remarkable residences.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThrough historical narrative and extensive black-and-white photography, Folsom explores the design, construction, ownership, and changing fortunes of celebrated estates including Biltmore, Monticello, Taliesin, Ca’ d’Zan, Hearst Castle, and other nationally significant homes. The book connects architectural choices with the personalities, fortunes, and social aspirations of the people who commissioned and inhabited these buildings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeyond displaying grand rooms and monumental façades, the book helps readers understand houses as physical expressions of power, taste, technology, and personal identity. It encourages a more thoughtful way of viewing historic architecture—not simply as expensive decoration, but as evidence of how earlier Americans understood status, beauty, privacy, permanence, and their place in society.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOriginal 1963 hardcover with 310 pages and numerous photographs. Condition is poor. This is an ex-library copy with exterior labels, catalog markings, stamps or other institutional evidence. The boards have heavy rubbing, bumped and worn corners, creasing, staining, and possible old tape repairs. The binding is badly damaged and separated in places, with exposed binding material, weakened hinges, loose or loosening sections, and a rear cover that is substantially detached. Pages show toning, handling wear, and occasional marks. Completeness has not been independently verified. Sold as a reading, reference, or repair copy; please examine every photograph carefully.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSKU D-4","brand":"Second Chapter Book Co.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67706743062776,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0859\/1025\/7912\/files\/13298e33-c948-4bb1-9bd1-c7af8555accb_6458b3de-0a5e-4527-a9b3-87b7ee1db049.jpg?v=1792237001","url":"https:\/\/secondchapterbookco.com\/products\/great-american-mansions-and-their-stories-merrill-folsom-1963-architecture-1","provider":"Second Chapter Book Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}