In the introduction
by Roger Moss he relates that the idea for The Golden Age of Ironwork
comes from a book by Philip Wallace published in 1930. He states,
"But no Philadelphia overview like those for New York City and Richmond
has appeared to replace Philip B. Wallace's narrowly-focused Colonial
Ironwork in Old Philadelphia (New York, 1930). Now, happily, such
a book exists. Henry Jonas Magaziner has done far more than update
Wallace. He has expanded the coverage well into the twentieth century
and added much useful information on the architects, craftsmen,
and the buildings of which the ironwork is such an important part.
Photographer
Robert D. Golding, whose splendid images appear here and in accompanying
exhibition at The Athenæum of Philadelphia. Moss goes on to say,
"The work of Yellin and other gifted ironsmiths is the subject of
this study. It also includes the creations of some of the foundries,
that produced cast iron façades and America's finest ornamental
cast ironwork." The author explains the focus of the book in the
following way; "While both cast and wrought architectural and ornamental
ironwork are found everywhere, certain American cities have inherited
especially great examples of them." "Since Philadelphia is so rich
in its collection of cast iron façades as well as being home to
both the nation's foremost ornamental iron foundry and America's
greatest wrought iron craftsman, I chose the Philadelphia area to
illustrate Iron's Golden Age." "Besides providing information on
the appropriateness of certain ironwork, this book also discusses
and illustrates good and bad practice in the design and fabrication
of architectural ironwork. In highlighting what is good ironwork
from the past, it is hoped that this book will inspire better ironwork
today."
224 pages.
173 photographs. Hard cover. © 2000. ISBN 978-1879535145 .
Order Number: AP-SJ149. Price: $34.00 On
Sale for $29.50
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