Tsar: The Lost World of Nicholas and Alexandra

 A splendid book about a long lost era!

Click HERE to buy on Ebay.

Fifth Avenue: A Very Social History by Kate Simon

Fifth Avenue: A Very Social History

Here is another book I highly recommend! It takes the reader on an a behind the Gilded doors look into many of the great mansions that once lined Fifth Avenue, Called in the era," Two Miles of Millionaires". The book also covers the great institutions and shops that would later claim their prominence on the avenue.

If you love Fifth Avenue mansions of the Gilded Age, please take a look at the blog, 

"Daytonian in Manhattan"

Vizcaya, An American Villa

Here is a must have book on one of America's greatest mansions,Vizcaya

Vizcaya, the Deering mansion, Miami, Florida.

"If you love Downton Abbey"

For all the fans of," Downton Abbey", you will probably enjoy the many films of, Merchant Ivory. Here are  a few books that illustrate their wonderful films, many set in the,"Gilded Age".

Here are some of my favorite Merchant Ivory films that focus mainly on the Gilded Age.

Merchant Ivory Films

SAVAGES

THE WILD PARTY

THE EUROPEANS

QUARTET

HEAT AND DUST

THE BOSTONIANS

A ROOM WITH A VIEW

MAURICE

HOWARDS END

THE REMAINS OF THE DAY

THE GOLDEN BOWL


Movies that cover a similar period but are not by Merchant Ivory

PORTRAIT OF A LADY 
DEATH IN VENICE
AGE OF INNOCENCE
THE HOUSE OF MIRTH
THE WINGS OF THE DOVE
 

" The Locusts" on the Hudson River at Staatsburg, New York

The original "Locusts" at Staatsburg, New York.

The " Locusts" as rebuilt to reflect tastes of the 1940s.

The Locusts located on a commanding bluff overlooking the Hudson River at Staatsburg, New York has a fascinating architectural and social history. Once a 2000 acre estate with a Italianate Villa and numerous outbuildings it was one of the showplaces of it's day. Gilded Age millionaire William Dinsmore built the elaborate Villa with towers that could over look the river and made the grounds a horticultural paradise. The property remained in the family for many years and in 1941 a descendent of Dinsmore, Mrs. Lytle Hull demolished the large house and built a more stylish modern house on the site. Many of the outbuildings from the earlier period remained. In 1985 Robert Guccione, the publisher of Penthouse magazine bought the property and lived there with his wife for many years. The estate today is now owned by hotelier Andre Balazs, please click HERE to visit the website which tells about it's history and is beautifully illustrated with photos.

Also read more on the Downeast Dilettante

The Plaza Hotel in Books

The original Plaza Hotel facing Fifth Avenue circa 1900. Photo: Library of Congress.

The Plaza Hotel has always been located on Fifth Avenue between 58th and 59th Streets. The original building was constructed around 1890 and said to be one of the most luxurious hotels in New York. But the fast pace of New York's growth during the, " Gilded Age" and its love of splendor made this hotel antiquated in only 15 years. By 1905 this original building was torn down to make way for the great landmark building that we still have today. The new Plaza Hotel opened in 1907 and the first guest was Alfred Vanderbilt. Ever since then until recently, it was known as the place of the very rich, socialites and anyone else who could afford to stay there. The famous Palm Court was always a favorite place to have an afternoon meal after a day of shopping on Fifth Avenue. Today the Plaza Hotel is split into a mixed use with most of it sold off as condominiums for the world's new rich and powerful and a smaller part still serves as a hotel. The Palm Court is still a wonderful place to go for meals and it's beautiful stained glass ceiling, once covered up, has been restored. One could write a book about the Plaza Hotel and many have! Here are a few of my favorites from my collection.

 

The Plaza Hotel circa 1912. Photo: Library of Congress.

Four of my favorite books about the Plaza Hotel.

 Please click the following links to read more about the Plaza Hotel's History.

Plaza Hotel

Wikipedia

Daytonian in Manhattan

Mrs. Astor's Fifth Avenue mansion with newly discovered floor plans

Mrs. Astor's Mansion, now the site of Temple Emanuel.

Mrs. Astor's Fifth Avenue mansion with newly discovered floor plans! Please visit my blog, Mansions of the Gilded Age to see all three floors of this lost treasure, demolished in 1926. The site is presently occupied by an equally magnificent building, Temple Emanuel. Former New York City's Mayor Koch's funeral was held there this week. http://garylawrance.blogspot.com/2010/03/mrs-astors-mansion.html

America's most expensive estate, The Crespi-Hicks mansion outside Dallas, Texas.

Please follow the links below to view this magnificent estate designed by famed architect, Maurice Fatio. Click HERE and HERE.

Also please take a preview look at this wonderful book about Maurice Fatio's architecture called, Maurice Fatio: Palm Beach Architect, by Kim Mockler and published by Acanthus Press.