Living Architecture: A Biography of H. H. Richardson

New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, November 1997. First Edition. Cloth . Very Good/Very Good. Gemlike and nearly perfect, the century-old Trinity Church in Boston regularly appears on every list of the greatest buildings in America -- n enduring tribute to the genius of its creator, Henry Hobson Richardson. Richly textured and nobly formed, Richardson's homes, libraries, churches, and public buildings changed the face of American architecture in the last century. This long-overdue volume -- the first biography of Richardson and the first color presentation of his work -- celebrates the legacy of a man who stands alongside Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan as a giant among architects. Few others have exploited color, form, and texture to such dramatic effect, and the stunning photographs of Richardson's buildings -- from Chicago's Glessner House to the Allegheny County Court House in Pittsburgh -- shimmer with the beauty of his work. Close friends with many of the luminaries of the day, this charismatic architect became a central figure in the emergence of America's distinct cultural heritage. Elegantly written and filled with lush, full-color photos, this is the first in-depth portrait of H.H. Richardson, the greatest American architect of the 19th century and a man whose magnetic, colorful personality was equal to his genius. 150 photos, 100 in full color. [9' x 13'] Folio in dustjacket with moderate edgewear, including one-quarter inch rough-hewn tear at top of front flap. Navy blue cloth covered boards with gold lettering along spine. Light grey end pages front and back. Laid in: small octavo stapled pamphlet [5 & 1/2' x 8 & 1/2'] of orange light weight cardstock staple cover with black lettering and front cover drawing of Boston sketch artist Jack Frost (1915 - 1997). Pamphlet is 'A Description of Trinity Church' by the Architect Henry Hobson Richardson, without publisher information or date. It is in good condition with various words handwritten in black ink on back cover. Many or most of these marked through with same ink pen. Interiors clean and unmarked. The James F O'Gorman book is overall in very good plus condition. [200 pp.]