WITH 60 BRILLIANTLY HAND-COLORED ENGLISH COSTUME PLATES

MARTIN, Charles and Leopold. The Civil Costume of England, from the Conquest to the Present Time. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1842. Large quarto, contemporary three-quarter brown morocco gilt, raised bands, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. $2000.

First edition of this lavishly illustrated book of English historical costume, with 60 intricately hand-colored etchings by Leopold Martin after drawings by Charles Martin, heightened with gilt and gum arabic.

The figures presented in this historical survey of English dress from the Norman conquest to the middle of the 19th century are taken from contemporary tapestries, illuminated manuscripts, portraits and paintings, including Stothard’s Monumental Effigies, Strutt’s works and Lodge’s portraits. With additional etched title-page also hand-colored, with gilt highlights. Colas 1995. Lipperheide 1003.

Plates superb and colors true, leaves mounted on stubs throughout. A very fine copy.