BIRMINGHAM, STEPHEN - The Grandes Dames the Wonderfully Uninhibited Ladies Who Used Their Wealth & Position to Create American Culture in Their Own Images?from the Gilded Age to Modern Times

Guilford, CT: Lyons Press, 2016. First Edition Thus. Paperback. ISBN: 1493024752. 8.7 X 5.8 X 0.4 inches; 299 pages; Soft cover has purple spine with white lettering. Slight rubbing to covers. Originally printed in 1982. 'Astor. Rockefeller. McCormick. Belmont. All family names that still adorn buildings, streets and charity foundations. While the men blazed across America with their oil, industry, and railways, the matriarchs founded art museums, opera houses, and symphony houses that functioned almost as private clubs. These women ruled American society with a style and impact that make today's socialites seem pale reflections of their forbears. Linked by money, marriage, privilege, power and class, they formed a grand American matriarchy that dominated the social and cultural life of the nation between the 1870s and the Second World War. The Grandes Dames of America knew just what they wanted and precisely how to get it, and when faced with criticism, malice or jealousy, they would rise above their detractors and usually persevere. Preeminent social historian Stephen Birmingham takes us into the drawing rooms of these powerful women, providing keen insights into aspects of an American Society that no longer exists...' Index.. Fine .

See/Hide Conditions of Sale

Following conditions of sale apply:
Terms of Sale

Payment Methods Accepted
We accept VISA, MC, Amex, Discover, Paypal,

Refunds
Money refunded if notified within 10 days of receipt; book must be returned in condition sent. If book is as described, and returned for some other reason, than all shipping will be paid by buyer and only book price will be refunded, upon return receipt of book. If I made an error all costs, including shipping both ways, will be refunded. I try to be extremely thorough and honest in my book descriptions, but....people are people and on rare occasions an error or oversight can occur. In such a case, I always make good on MY mistake; you are not stuck paying for my mistake, nor is your disappointment disregarded.

Packaging
I use clean, recycled materials whenever possible, to reduce expenses and to help protect the Earth's resources. I pack books very thoroughly, so that they survive the vagaries of the US and international postal systems in good order; arriving safely, and as described. For US domestic orders, I use USPS Delivery Confirmation address forms on all books, when possible; these provide a handy tracking mechanism which I gladly share with the purchaser.

Shipping Prices
Shipping prices are as close as possible to actual cost of postage and materials. I do not try to profit on shipping, merely to cover my actual costs.
I have no control over the shipping rates set by US Postal Service, and charge what they charge.

For domestic [USA} shipping on standard sized/weight books the cost will be US$ 6.25 for media mail and US$ 9.50 for Priority [If they fit into the 'flat rate envelopes'].
Oversized and extra-heavy books, which are marked as such in the description section of the book, will have shipping prices quoted upon ordering/enquiry.

International shipping rates will be quoted upon ordering. They may differ from the standard rate listed, depending on speed of shipping requested, and size/weight of book. I'm usually able to respond to an order within 24 hours. If you choose Priority Shipping, and the book[s] is oversized/heavy, requiring extra postage, I will contact you with the additional shipping cost, awaiting your approval before processing a credit card for the higher amount. However, since I don't want to hold a book for too long, if I don't hear back from you within 3 calendar days, I will return the book to available inventory.
Ordering a book with the above situation constitutes agreement with this policy.

Domestic [USA] shipping times are approximate: 3-6 business days for priority, 5-20 business days for media mail [I have recently been informed that media mail can now take from 30-45 days; it's loaded only 'if there is room' basis, per USPS].

For shipments to Hawaii and Alaska, as well as any US Territories or other US Mail recipients, media mail delivery time can range from 4-24 weeks, Air/Priority 5-10 business days.

When possible I ship domestic orders with a "Delivery Confirmation" on them.

Express Shipping:

Price quoted upon ordering. Buyer must supply a zip code + 4 for shipping and phone hnumber; this type of zip code [9 digit total] is required by the Post Office.

Foreign orders: typically, but not always, 10-45 business days. I have no control over the package once I mail it, and customs officials/departments in the receiving country can greatly delay the delivery time. I ship books 3x per week. Shipping days are counted as business/working days; they do not include holidays and weekends.