The Costumes of All Nations (1882) | 1st English Edition | 104 Hand-Colored Plates, Folio | Henry Sotheran – Kretschmer & Rohrbach

A striking and highly sought-after 19th-century folio illustrating the historical dress of civilizations across the world.

The Costumes of All Nations: From the Earliest Times to the Nineteenth Century, representing the dresses and habits of all classes—royal, ecclesiastical, noble, military, judicial, and civil. By Albert Kretschmer and Dr. Carl Rohrbach. London: Henry Sotheran & Co., 1882. First English Edition.

This substantial folio volume contains 104 full-page hand-colored plates, each richly detailed and depicting figures in historical attire spanning Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, Medieval Europe, the Renaissance courts, Eastern nations, and beyond. Each plate features multiple figures with carefully rendered costume details, textiles, armor, regalia, and ceremonial dress.

Bound in a dark green leather binding with black silk moiré cloth boards with dark green leather spine, gilt titling, and decorative onlaid costume vignettes to the spine compartments. A beautifully illustrated frontispiece introduces the work. 

Binding remains in very good condition, structurally sound and attractive, with strong joints and bright presentation. Internally, the volume is complete, including all hand-colored plates. Age and use wear noted to pages including edge wear more to prelims, light tears with archival tape reinforcement to a few pages/ tissue guards, and typical signs of handling consistent with prior institutional use. Library stamps appear within. The plates themselves remain vibrant and well-preserved. 

Notably, copies of this title are frequently found incomplete, with plates removed for framing. This example retains its full complement of 104 plates, making it particularly desirable for collectors.

A foundational reference for:

• Fashion historians
• Costume designers & theatrical researchers
• Textile and decorative arts scholars
• Medieval & Renaissance enthusiasts

Condition: Good +

Scarce

Size: 9.9” x 12.6” (folio).

A visually impressive and increasingly scarce complete 19th-century costume folio—especially desirable in full plate condition.