Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

Ferndale Ranch [INSCRIBED BY COUNTESS DOHENY]

n/a

Hardcover. Oblong folio. Unpaginated (56 plates, 4 blank leafs). Brown leather binding by Bitterolt with blind-embossed floral motif and gold-stamped lettering on front cover. Raised bands. All gilt edges. Finely gold-tooled dentelles. Silk endpapers. Binding protected by modern mylar. Unique album from the library of the Doheny family, illustrated with 56 full-page reproductions in photogravure of exteriors & interiors of the Ferndale Ranch and the lush landscape surrounding it. Ferndale Ranch was owned by oil tycoon Edward Laurence Doheny (1856-1935) and served as the family's summer home. It was located in a remote rural setting outside the sleepy town of Santa Paula (Ventura County), amidst the steep mountains of the Los Padres National Forest.

In 1929, architect Wallace Neff was put in charge of building a 9,000 square foot, five-bedroom, seven-bath mission-style Hacienda on the property. The Hacienda was constructed with thick adobe brick walls, framed with solid massive wooden beams and columns. The house was surrounded by 35 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds including an interior garden with a 78 ft long galleria, a fountain, three large reflecting pools, a lake, manager's house, horse stables, citrus orchards, golf course, tennis court, an aviary, a lush array of plants, as well as Redwood trees, California oaks, Japanese maples, palm trees, etc. The breathtaking photographs show the outer stonewall and wrought-iron entry gate, the gatehouse, guesthouse, gardens, streams, pool, exterior views from many angels, as well as interior images of the 32 seat chapel, bedrooms, dining & living rooms. Inscribed on free front endpaper by Countess Carrie Estelle Doheny: "To Lucy, Dicky Dell, Larry, Billy, Pat and Lemmir from Gramfrie & Lammir, April 1930." Today the property is the home of the Thomas Aquinas College.

Minor rubbing on head and tail of spine and corners. Brown stain at bottom edge on verso of one plate, not affecting image. Tight copy with binding in very good, interior in near fine condition. Unique. vg+ to near fine. Item #24447

Price: $6,000.00