Costume of the Russian Empire. Costume de l'empire russe. Illustrated by upwards of seventy richly coloured engravings. Representé en plus de soixante-dix gravures superbement colorées

HARDING, E[dward] (publisher) [and William ALEXANDER]

Published by T. Bensley for Stockdale, London,, 1811

About this Item

With a focus on Siberian costumes --- An attractive example of this great book. The costumes were drawn after Georgi and Mueller, the English text was written by William Alexander, after the main texts available at the time on Russia: Pallas, Chappe d'Auteroche, Krashenenikov, Sauer. Publishing the first issue of his work in 1803, Harding had probably to compete with Miller, who published at the same time a very similar work as part of his series of costume books. The present edition has one costume plate fewer but includes an engraved title, longer explanatory text and more decorative plates enriched with background. As the introduction puts it, "to conclude: no pains nor expense have been spared to render this Volume worthy of public attention; and without depreciating the merit of other performances of similar nature, the Publisher flatters himself that it will be found the most complete work of the kind that has hitherto appeared in this or in any country"! Provenance: Physical description:Large 4to (36.5 x 27.5 cm). Hand-coloured aquatint English half-title, [6] ll. including French and English title pages, dedications, prefaces and tables of contents, and 72 hand-coloured aquatint plates numbered 1-70 with two bis numbers, each with two pages of accompanying text in both English and French except pl. 14 accompanying pl. 12, text watermarked Edmeads 1809 and plates Whatman 1808. Contemporary dark blue morocco, covers with large gilt floral borders, recent spine blind-stamped in compartments, gilt lettering to two, gilt roulette to boards edges, marbled endpapers. Condition:A bit foxed, binding a bit rubbed in places, corners restored. Bibliography:

Seller Inventory # 727

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Costume of the Russian Empire. Costume de l'empire russe. Illustrated by upwards of seventy richly coloured engravings. Representé en plus de soixante-dix gravures superbement colorées
• Publisher: T. Bensley for Stockdale, London,
• Publication Date: 1811
• Binding: Hardcover
• Seller catalogs:
  • Costumes, Fashion & Military
  • Travels & History: Russia, Siberia, Asia and Pa...