The Complete Costume History (25th) [FACSIMILE] (Hardcover)

~ Francoise Tetart-Vittu (Author) "Racinet's Le Costume historique is in two closely linked but radically different parts: the 473 plates reproduced here (Racinet considered certain of them double plates,..." (more)
Key Phrases: sec pls, earring pendants, female costume, Iron Age (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

From togas to tailcoats: the evolution of style from antiquity to 1888 Originally published in France between 1876 and 1888, Auguste Racinet’s Le Costume historique was the most wide-ranging and intelligent study of clothing ever published. Covering the world history of costume, dress, and style from antiquity through the end of the 19th century, the great work—"consolidated"in 1888 into 6 volumes containing nearly 500 plates — remains, to this day, completely unique in its scope and detail.Racinet’s organization by culture and subject has been preserved in TASCHEN’s magnificent and complete reprint, as have excerpts from his delightful descriptions and often witty comments. Perusing these beautifully detailed and exquisitely colored illustrations, you’ll discover everything from the garb of ancient Etruscans to traditional Eskimo attire to 19th century French women’s couture.

Though Racinet’s study spans the globe from ancient times through his own, his focus is on European clothing from the Middle Ages to the 1880s and this subject is treated with exceeding passion and attention to detail. The Complete Costume History is an absolutely invaluable reference for students, designers, artists, illustrators, and historians; it is also an immensely fascinating and inspirational book for anyone with an interest in clothing and style.

From the Publisher

CONTENTS: Part I – The Ancient World (Egypt, Assyria, Israel, Persia and Phrygia, Greece, Etruscan, Greco-Roman, Rome, Barbarian Europe, Celts and Gauls) Part II – The 19th Century - Beyond the Borders of Europe (Oceania, Africa, Eskimos, North American Indians, Mexican Indians, South American Indians, China, Japan, India, Ceylon, Middle East, Orient, Turkey) Part III – Europe 400-1800 (Byzantium, France-Byzantine, Poland, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, England, Holland) Part IV – Traditional Costume Till the Late 19th Century (Scandinavia, Holland, Scotland, England, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France) Part V - Patterns and Templates

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: Taschen; 25th edition (July 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3822850950
• ISBN-13: 978-3822850954
• Product Dimensions: 15.8 x 10.6 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #706,602 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Impressive size, February 21, 2006

By	Ekaterina Smoldyreva (Dubai, UAE) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Complete Costume History / Vollstandige Kostumgeschichte / Le Costume Historique (Hardcover)

I was very impressed by the size of the book... never seen anything like this before. The content, however, is not that impressive. There are lots of good illustrations, copies from paintings, detailed drawings of selective accessories and furniture, but this is not a complete overview (but you would expect it to be full from such an edition, wouldn't you?). Confusing are the descriptions on each page: timeframes are too foggy and there is no description of each drawing, but those few available you often do not know which drawing to apply to.
The most interesting are the sections of folk and national dresses.
The book is more suitable for the coffee table (make sure you have a big one)to impress your guests than as a serious reference. Though I have used it a lot, I wish it was more complete

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent example of illustrations from a specific time, April 20, 2007

By	ash (Phoenix) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Costume History / Vollstandige Kostumgeschichte / Le Costume Historique (Hardcover)

I just received this book for my birthday, I'd been wanting it for quite a while. When I first saw it, I knew it wasn't a reference book, and am surprised other reviewers thought it would be. For one thing it was written in 1896. Consider the world view at that time - very Eurocentric, very Western Civilization oriented. So that is what you get. However, you also get an example of illustrations and drawings that you just don't see now a days. Its quite lovely really, and is indeed useful when I am reading a historical novel and want a visual. So buy this for what it is, not what you think it is.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Complete Costume History , May 10, 2007

By	Smiling Seamstress - See all my reviews

Wonderful pictures and ideas flow from every page.

For a person seeking a picture book... BEWARE!! This book will not only give you visual clue to the era in question but adds a bit of reading into the concepts and timing of a particular costume you seek to research. This book is heavy and well worth the additional weight it contributes to your collections.

For a person seeking a more in depth concept of a certain period's costumes and accessories...this is a book that will help.