1929 An Introduction to the Study of Costume, From Nudity to Raiment

Description

Colour Plates, First Edition, Illustrated, Publishers' Original Binding

The first edition of this history of fashion, clothing and costume around the world from American artist, psychologist, and colour theoretician Hilaire Hiler. An avid costume book collector himself, Hiler was rumoured to own one of the world's best costume book libraries at the time of his death.

Illustrated with twelve monochrome photographic plates, and twelve full colour plates, including a map frontispiece. Collated, complete.

With a particular focus on traditional dress found in African cultures, this is a fascinating and informative work.

From the library of Audrey Pleydell-Bouverie, an extravagant socialite and renowned beauty of the Edwardian period. Impeccably connected, Pleydell-Bouverie was also the illegitimate granddaughter of King Edward VII, and rumoured to be a lover of King Edward VIII. A sparkling figure of fashionable society, her friends included Nancy Mitford, Coco Chanel, Winston Churchill, and Fred Astaire.

This work is from the sale of Pleydell-Bouverie’s library at Julians Park, Hertfordshire. She purchased the home in 1940, redesigning the interior and amassing an impressive library, featuring many examples of her own bookbinding.