COSTUME OF THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE.

Illustrated title page and 72 (as called for in the plate list) full page coloured stipple engravings of figures in costumes in landscape. The plates are numbered 1-70 with two extra numbered 5* & 20*. Each plate states they are published by E. Harding 1st Jan 1803 though certainly some are watermarked in 1808. Full original gilt decorated leather with front board detached and rear board re-attached with textile tape. Some paper tape has been removed from the paste-downs of the boards, no doubt for once securing a protective cover. Once handsome boards and spine worn and aged. Text block has gilt edges. There is a 2" closed tear to fore-edge of engraved title diminishing across the two textual titles. Both introduction pages have a 1" tear by the lower hingeside corner. Plate 2 has a closed tear running half way across above the image. There is a 2" by 1" tear to the bottom fore-corner of plate 3; Plate 15 has two coin sized brown spots; a 1.5" closed tear to the bottom edge of plate 20; there is a spattering of brown spots to the foot of plate 46 and its facing text page. None of the above affect the images. There are some minor marks or dustiness to many images, especially to the verso of the contents page and the first page of the introduction and the last three pages including plate 70, which are markedly dusty. One or two nicks and chips from bottom page corners and a few small closed tears to early page edges but no loss of text. Ow very good.…