Costumes Historiques Des XVIe, XVIIe et XVIIIe Siecles

First edition illustrated with 150 superb hand-painted plates in colors, painted with gouache or watercolored by hand, printed on heavy laid paper.
Publisher's binding with loose leaves. Half olive sheep slipcase and chemise. Gilt title on spine. Gray cardboard covers reproducing the title page. Back cover with advertisement for another book offered by the publisher. Ties. Head of spine of both volumes split at both joints and loose, more so for volume 1. Corner of lower cover of volume 1 missing with part of the border. On the last leaves of volume II, p. 247 to the end, and on the table of contents, clear traces of dampstaining. Only one plate bears the discreet trace of an old dampstain in the lower margin. Overall superb freshness of the paper, notwithstanding some rare worming or pale foxing on a few leaves.
Bookplate of J. Baumgartner.
Each plate is the subject of a descriptive notice. The representation of costumes is particularly extensive, and embraces all of Europe (France, Germany, Italy, England, Switzerland), from forgotten trades (Falconer, pikeman, mace-bearer) to the nobility. One also finds some famous figures such as Isabella d'Este, Francis I. The drawing of the plates is particularly fine and pure and great attention has been paid to the realization of the colors.