Painted Ladies - San Francisco's Resplendent Victorians

This happy, gloriously coloured book celebrates the unique collection of Victorian houses in San Francisco - houses of such highly eclectic architectural charm that they can only best be described as being of the San Francisco Style. 48,000 Victorian houses were built in San Francisco during the 1850-1915 period. For half a century the houes were respected by all because of their age and styke - and because they somehow had endured the savage earthquake of 1906. But the facades crumpled with age; the powder cracked; the mascara ran. Then, in the psychedelic sixties, a few brave souls had the courage to paint their homes in the colours of the day. To an outcry that they were barbarious the Painted Ladies slowly and shyly showed their new finery...