In Culture and Comfort Katherine C. Grier shows how the design and furnishings of the mid-nineteenth century parlor reflected the self-image of the Victorian middle class. Parlors provided public facades for formal occasions and represented an attempt to resolve the often opposing ideals of gentility and sincerity to which American culture aspired. The book traces the fortunes of the parlor and its upholstery from its early incarnations in "palace" hotels, railroad cars, steamships, and photographers' studios; through its ...
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In Culture and Comfort Katherine C. Grier shows how the design and furnishings of the mid-nineteenth century parlor reflected the self-image of the Victorian middle class. Parlors provided public facades for formal occasions and represented an attempt to resolve the often opposing ideals of gentility and sincerity to which American culture aspired. The book traces the fortunes of the parlor and its upholstery from its early incarnations in "palace" hotels, railroad cars, steamships, and photographers' studios; through its mid-century heyday, when even remote frontier homes could boast "suites" of red plush sofas and chairs; to its slow, uneven metamorphosis into the more versatile living room. The author argues that even as the home increasingly was seen as a haven from industralization and commercialization, its ties to industry and commerce--in the form of more affordable, machine-made furniture and drapery--became stronger. By the 1920s the parlor's decline signaled both a blurring of the Victorian distinctions between public and private manners and the transfer of middle-class identity from the home to the automobile. Describing the deportment a parlor required, the activities it sheltered, and the marketing and manufacturing breakthroughs that made it available to all, Culture and Comfort reveals the full range of cultural messages conveyed by nineteenth-century parlor materials.
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Add this copy of Culture and Comfort: Parlor Making and Middle-Class to cart. $4.98, good condition, Sold by ZBK Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Woodland Park, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Smithsonian Books.
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Pages and cover are intact. Used book in good and clean conditions. Limited notes marks and highlighting may be present. May show signs of normal shelf wear and bends on edges. Item may be missing CDs or access codes. May include library marks.
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Add this copy of Culture and Comfort: Parlor Making and Middle-Class to cart. $7.22, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Smithsonian Books.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Culture and Comfort: Parlor Making and Middle-Class to cart. $9.97, good condition, Sold by SurplusTextSeller rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MO, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Smithsonian Books.
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Good. Ships in a BOX from Central Missouri! May not include working access code. Will not include dust jacket. Has used sticker(s) and some writing or highlighting. UPS shipping for most packages, (Priority Mail for AK/HI/APO/PO Boxes).
Add this copy of Culture and Comfort to cart. $10.72, good condition, Sold by GreatBookPrices rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Smithsonian Books.
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Good. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 280 p. Contains: Illustrations. May show signs of wear, highlighting, writing, and previous use. This item may be a former library book with typical markings. No guarantee on products that contain supplements Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Twenty-five year bookseller with shipments to over fifty million happy customers.
Add this copy of Culture and Comfort: Parlor Making and M to cart. $12.37, Sold by Moon Palace Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Minneapolis, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Smithsonian Books.
Add this copy of Culture and Comfort: Parlor Making and Middle-Class to cart. $14.00, good condition, Sold by The Book House - Saint Louis rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from St. Louis, MO, UNITED STATES, published 1988 by Smithsonian Institution Press.
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Fine. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 280 p. Contains: Illustrations. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Culture and Comfort: Parlor Making and Middle-Class to cart. $18.50, very good condition, Sold by A2ZBooks rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Burgin, KY, UNITED STATES, published 1997 by Smithsonian Institute Press.
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Very Good Condition. The text has light marking, the cover is in very nioe condition. Quantity Available: 1. ISBN: 1560987162. ISBN/EAN: 9781560987161. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 1560791130.
