Le Costume Historique. Cinq Cents Planches, trois cents en couleurs, or et argent. Deux cents en camaieu. Types principaux du vetement et de la parure rapproches de ceux de l'interieur de l'habitation dans tous les temps et chez tous les peuples, avec de nombreux details sur le mobilier, les arms, les objets usuels, les moyens de transport, etc.
Paris: Librairie de Firmin-Didot et Cie, 1888. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Item #48721
The rare First Folio edition, far less common than the smaller quarto edition released the same year. Published between 1876 and 1888, this monumental work on costume remains one of the most comprehensive visual surveys of global dress history from antiquity through the 19th century. Richly illustrated with hundreds of exquisite chromolithographs, it explores traditional attire from diverse cultures and historical periods. Racinet meticulously documented major clothing styles and adornments, placing them in context with domestic interiors, furnishings, weapons, everyday objects, and modes of transport. Elephant folio. 6 Volumes. Half red Morocco over marbled boards. Rebacked, with closely matched red leather, with the original spines laid-down, spine compartments heavily tooled in gilt, with gilt lettered labels to two compartments, and date to the spine of each. Not the prettiest rebacking job but functional, with the bindings tight and square. Corners consolidated, touched-up, edges worn and bumped, plates and text clean throughout and spot free. The original laid-down spines are scuffed and scratched but still quite attractive. All volumes without issues except volume 5, which has a two inch tear in the margin at bottom edge of endpaper, half-title, 2 leaves of text and the first illustration, all margin only and not affecting any printed matter.
Price (CAD): $7,000.00