Cast-Iron Architecture in America: The Significance of James Bogardus

Margot Gayle, Carol Gayle

ISBN 10: 0393730158 / ISBN 13: 9780393730159

Published by W. W. Norton & Company, 1998

About this Item

Cast-Iron Architecture in America The Significance of James Bogardus; Margot Gayle and Carol Gayle, Foreword by Philip Johnson; W. W. Norton & Company, New York and London, 1998. First edition. Presentation copy. From the blurb Nineteenth-century American inventor James Bogardus was known for his unique grinding mill and other patented devices, but his enduring claim to fame is his cast-iron structures, forerunners of the modern skyscraper. His buildings rose from New York to San Francisco, and from Chicago to the Dominican Republic. The first book on Bogardus s life and work, Cast-Iron Architecture in America describes how iron architecture remade the face of American cities in the mid-nineteenth century, following the appearance of cast iron on the industrial scene in eighteenth-century England and Europe. It documents the role played by Bogardus, who patented his method for cast-iron construction in 1850 and championed its use in America s growing cities. Margot Gayle, President of the Friends of Cast Iron Architecture, a group devoted to the appreciation and preservation of cast-iron architecture, and Carol Gayle, a professional historian, have assembled between these covers the fullest account of James Bogardus, with illustrations of every Bogardus building for which an image can be found. This book, 272 pages measuring 253mm X 202mm, is in fine conditions as is the dust jacket, that is now enclosed in a protective mylar wrap. Laid in are two color photographs of cast-iron buildings and a copy of a newspaper article covering this book and the story of Margot Gayle, who was 90 years of ager at the time of the book being published. Carol is her daughter. A beautiful and warm presentation copy of a unique style of American buildings, and featuring the area of SoHo, New York City, where some 139 of these marvellous buildings still existed in 1998.

Seller Inventory # 2173

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Cast-Iron Architecture in America: The Significance of James Bogardus
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0393730158
• ISBN 13: 9780393730159
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Signed: Inscribed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis

Nineteenth-century American inventor and entrepreneur James Bogardus was known for his unique grinding mill and other patented devices, but his enduring claim to fame is his cast-iron structures, forerunners of the modern skyscraper. A passionate advocate for iron's strength, economy, suitability for ornamentation, and fire resistance, he invented several new methods of construction; his buildings rose from New York to San Francisco and Havana. Modern interest in Bogardus stems from the historic preservation movement; his four surviving buildings, in New York, are recognized landmarks.

About the Authors

Carol Gayle teaches history at Lake Forest College, Illinois.

Margot Gayle, a nationally known authority on cast-iron architecture, lives in New York City.