The Opulent Interiors of the Gilded Age: All 203 Photographs from Artistic Houses, with New Text

This collection of 203 black-and-white photographs of the interiors of late 19th century mansions originally appeared as Artistic Houses, a book published in 1883. Reprinted here, the pictures are accompanied by a new text and new captions, which give detailed information about the families these houses were built for and about the history of the structures in the past 100 years. Most of these 97 homes were located in the Northeast, and some of themand their ownersare instantly recognizable. For example, there are shots of the interior of the Henry Villard house, now a part of New York City's Helmsley Palace Hotel, that show the landmark building in its original splendor. Sadly, many of the other structures are gone, and their charm and ostentation can be enjoyed only through photographs. (May)