Mardi Gras Treasures: Float Designs of the Golden Age

Schindler, himself a treasure-trove of history and lore of New Orleans' "golden age", shares through lucid and eloquent essays and stunning color plates the story of the evolution of the Carnival street pageant, from its beginnings in pre-Civil War affluence to the great depression of the 1930s. He weaves a tapestry of social, political and economic events through the warp of the lives of the great artists and artistic movements that shaped the unique street parades of the New Orleans Carnival. From the sadly anonymous creator of the 1858 Comus pageant memorialized in the London Illustrated News through the accomplishments of prolific Virginia Wilkinson Wilde and the remarkable Plauche family in the last century, Schindler offers a rich chronicle of the men and women who created a unique art form that provided mass public entertainment long before the invention of the motion picture projector and cathode ray tube. Those of us who have enjoyed his prior publications, Mardi Gras and Invitations of the Golden Age will delight in this latest addition to the multi-layered history of New Orleans' pre-Lenten celebration. Readers new to Schindler's magic will eagerly await his next opus.

Love all the Henri Schindler books! The set of 3 makes a very nice gift! So beautifully illustrated and makes a great gift for a graduate, a debutante, a Mardi Gras queen, or a bride to be.

The ultimate Mardi Gras insider's look into the floats of Carnival.

Very nice!

First of all, I like notecards that stand out abit. These definately are eye catchy and NOT supercolorful, giving off that vibe of yesteryear. When I saw the cards I thought,"damn, Id like to write a few letters using those!" I'm pleased w purchase! Happy Early Mardi Gras!

Beautifully detailed history of the Golden Age of Mardi Gras and it's four principal designers. Just enough anecdotes to make it interesting and the reproductions of the designs and parade bulletins are beautifully photographed and reproduced.