Product Details
Historic Costume in Pictures (Dover Pictorial Archives)

Historic Costume in Pictures (Dover Pictorial Archives)
By Braun & Schneider

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Product Description

Chronologically arranged plates of historic costume originally published in the German magazine Munchener Bilderbogen between 1861 and 1890.


Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #186050 in Books
  • Published on: 1975-06-01
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 256 pages

Features


Customer Reviews

Not useful to those interested in costume history1
This is another book of Victorian redrawings of historical garments and outright inventions and fantasies where ancient clothing is concerned. While it might be useful to theatrical costumers, Victorian recreationists, or those interested in the history of costume illustration or interpretation, it is of no use to those doing historic costuming or interested in costume history.

If you want accurate representations of historic clothing, get a book with reproductions of art from the time period of the clothes you're interested in.

No-no-no-no!1
If you are interested in the proper history of costume, this book is not for you. It was created in the 19th century, when costume history was at its beginning and it reflects all major faults of the researchers of that time. Many things, claimed to be true at that time, are now proven to be completely wrong. Personally, I have found some blunders in this book. So, if you want to do a thorough and accurate research for your costume, refer to the modern researchers, authentic paintings and manuscripts. Definitely not this book. It is like using 14th century manuscripts for studying modern English.
But if you want to compare the work of modern and Victorian authors - go ahead, this is a wonderful example.
This book can also be quite suitable for those, who are interested in theatrical costume, where looks come first and authenticity does not matter.

Inadequate details2
This book is a reproduction of the 1907 book "Costumes of All Nations" (3rd edition), which in turn was reproduced from a series of plates produced by Braun and Schneider in "Zur Geschichte der Kostume" between 1861 and 1890. Unfortunately, in the process, all of the text (both the German and English) was removed (as was the color). So we have no way of knowing what went along with these drawings.

Furthermore, there are no references of any kind, so you can't go back to the "original" painting, or source to verify the information. It may be helpful for getting ideas, but not for any serious costume design.