Racinet's Full-Color Pictorial History of Western Costume: With 92 Plates Showing Over 950 Authentic Costumes from the Middle Ages to 1800 (Paperback)

by Auguste Racinet (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Superb copyright-free plates from rare original edition of famed sourcebook depicts suits of armor from the Middle Ages, floor-length capes and striped tights of the Renaissance, the high-waisted Empire look of the Napoleonic era and much more.


Language Notes
Text: English, French (translation)

Product Details

• Paperback: 92 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (October 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 048625464X
• ISBN-13: 978-0486254647
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #652,992 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A rich visual history, October 23, 2002

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"Racinet's Full-Color Pictorial History of Western Costume," by Auguste Racinet, is a marvelous collection of illustrations that record trends in European clothing. The cover and title page boast that the book contains 92 plates showing over 950 costumes from the Middle Ages to 1800. The copyright page notes that this book is a selection of plates from the 6-colume "Le Costume Historique" published in 1888.

Depicted are costumes from France, Spain, Italy, Russia, and other nations. Many different types of people are depicted: soldiers, clergymen, nuns, noblewomen, peasants, etc. The plates of military dress are particularly interesting; in addition to showing knights' armor and other clothing, the illustrations also show many different weapons. Horses in regalia are shown in addition to human figures. Also depicted are musical instruments.

The pictures include both individual figures and scenes depicting costumed figures in social interaction. Some famous people, like Elizabeth I of England, are depicted. There are some really colorful and ornate items, like elaborate ladies' headdresses. I really liked the illustrations of kilted Scotsmen. Along the way are some curious sights, such as a bizarrely dressed and masked Venetian penitent. Overall, this book is a marvelous and educational visual feast.