Grand Hotel

Grand Hotel: The Golden Age of Palace Hotels, An Architectural and Social History by David Watkin. Published by The Vendome Press, New York, NY, 1984. 1st US Edition. Hardbound, Paper DJ. Folio (up to 15'' tall). Condition: Nr Fine in Good- DJ. Shelf wear to boards, overall content excellent. DJ back & bottom front lamination cracking. 272 Pgs. ISBN 0865650403. LCCN 87-7299. Introduction by Jean D'Ormesson of the Academie Francaise. Texts by David Watkin, Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd, Pierre-Jean Remy, Frederic Grendel and Marc Waller. In a hundred year span, 1830 to 1930, a style was created both in the United States and Europe that is encapsulated in this beautifully illustrated book. A collection of 470 photographs, 236 in color, depicting all the grandest hotels of Europe, many of which are still with us. This book is not the usual guide to comfortable places to stay; for the first time ever, the subject of the grand hotel is treated in a systematic and thematic fashion. A way of life is discussed as architecture, as a social and sociological phenomenon, and as an ever developing commercial enterprise. Description text copyright 2007 BooksForComfort. Item ID 14342.