Art & Architecture Collection > Costume and Fashion History: A Guide to Resources

Selected Key Historical Titles

Books with plates of costume first appeared in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. A “golden age” of illustrated plate books then developed by the mid-to-late eighteenth century and extended into the early nineteenth century. These publications were intended for wealthy clients and featured a variety of historical dress depictions, unlike earlier efforts that concentrated on contemporary garb. More works began to appear regularly through the nineteenth century, many geared toward theater costume needs. Historical visual surveys, often with large-size plates, grew in popularity during the Victorian era. The following titles are a sample (without annotations) of the Library’s large collection of landmark historical costume studies, including innovative works on national and ceremonial dress. 

A Collection of the dresses of different nations, antient and modern. London: Thomas Jefferys, 1757-72. 4 vol. (MMC+)

Duplessis, Georges. Costumes historiques des XVIe, XVIIe,  et XVIIIe siècles. Paris: Levy, 1867. (MMC+)

Jacquemin, Raphael. Iconographie générale et methodique du costume du 4e au 19e siècle. Paris: s.n., 1869.  (MMC++)

Lipperheide, F.J. von. Kostümsammlung Lipperheide. Leipzig: s.n., 1884. (MMB)

Meyrick, Samuel Rush. A Critical inquiry into antient armour… London: H.G. Bohn, 1842. (MMC+)

Racinet, Auguste. Le Costume historique. Paris: Firmin-Didot et Cie, 1888. (3-MMC+)

Schneider, Louis. Gallerie der costüme… Berlin: Winkelmann, 1844-48. (MMC)

Strutt, Joseph. A Complete view of the dress and habits of the people of England… London: H.G. Bohn, 1842. (MMK+)

Tiron, René. Histoire et costumes des orders religieux, civils et militaries. Brussels: Librairie Historique-Artistique, 1845. (MMED)