Cyclopedia Of Costume, Or, Dictionary Of Dress, Including Notices Of Contemporaneous Fashions On The Continent; A General Chronological History Of The

A treasury of dress across Europe. It is a vivid compendium.

James Robinson Planche's A Cyclopedia of Costume, Volume II, is a meticulous European dress dictionary and a general chronological history of the principal countries of Europe from the commencement of the Christian era to the accession of George the Third. Part dictionary, part cultural narrative, the work serves as a historical costume reference that maps period clothing styles and traditional European costumes across centuries. Resembling an illustrated fashion encyclopedia in scope, it supplies descriptive entries that explain cuts, fabrics and social use, and it frames Christian era fashion, medieval dress, Renaissance court costume and the shifts that culminate in eighteenth century europe. The language remains readable, the comparisons sharp; the result is both a costume designers resource and a practical reenactment costume guide for makers, stage directors and enthusiasts seeking authenticity. Students of the history of european fashion will use the cyclopedia to trace influences across borders and eras, while collectors and curators will appreciate its specificity when cataloguing pieces or researching provenance. Familiarity with earlier modes also makes the volume unexpectedly illuminating for those studying Victorian costume history and for anyone investigating the wider james planche costume collection.

Historically significant and shaped by nineteenth-century methods of description, Planche's cyclopedia remains a bridge between antiquarian curiosity and modern scholarship. Out of print for decades and now republished by Alpha Editions. Restored for today's and future generations. More than a reprint - a collector's item and a cultural treasure. Casual readers, theatre-makers and classic-literature collectors will each find the volume rewarding as readable survey, dependable reference and handsome addition to any library. Elegantly readable and robustly informative, this edition suits students, stage practitioners, living historians and collector-librarians. Every page rewards a different reader: frank description for the curious, precise reference for the professional. Ready for study, display and practical use.