Artistic Houses (2 Parts of 4) by George William Sheldon - 1883

New York: D. Appleton and Comapny, 1883. 1st. Collectible; Very Good. Subtitled "Being a Series of Interior Views of a number of the Most Beautiful and Celebrated Homes in the United States with A Description of the Art Treasures contained therein", this is the very uncommon 1883-84 1st edition. 101 of the 203 photographs of the interiors of the 19th century's most opulent homes are present. Each mounted photograph crisp and clean with printed tissue guards and handwritten captions (suggesting this may be a pre-publication copy). Sold by subscription only in a very small--but unknown--edition, this set was issued in 4 portfolio parts (or separate volumes) housed in custom-made cases. The 2 (of 4) parts offered here are Elephant folios, with unbound pages, as issued. Handsome maroon cloth cases, leather spine labels. The set has held up very nicely, in spite of its age and its brittle paper. Both volumes solidly VG and well-preserved. Light fraying along the cases' outer hinges and a bit of light soiling to the title pages. All plates though bright and clear and very lavish. Considered a true rarity in 19th century American architecture, the Sheldon set is viewed by many architectural historians as the great record of early 1880s interiors of the homes of the Eastern well-to-do. A well-researched and informed text complements each plate, paying its proper due to woodwork, color scheme, paintings and other key ingredients of interior decoration. A magnificent--and, at almost 2' tall, imposing--set, even if only half present.