Racinet Ethnography c.1886 Asia India Africa Japan Persia 96 fine color plates
Brian DiMambro- Antiquarian Books, Maps & Prints(Old Books, 19th Century Books, Leather Books, Historical Fashions, China, India, Middle East, Weapons, harems, slaves & slavery).
Le Costume Historique- Tome III.
Published c. 1886-88, Paris by Firmin Didot et Cie. for Racinet.
96 color plates. Text in French.
This single volume focuses on the non-European world, with numerous/many plates for each region such as India, Japan, Persia, Asia & Indonesian islands, Africa, Turkey, Byzantine Empire and at the rear a few plates devoted to the European Middle Ages. 80-90% of the plates relate to non-European people, history and regions.
Almost impossible to collate given the complexity of the text and binding style (all plates set in on stubs), we collated it twice and counted 96 plates each time. Vast majority are splendid "high-key" chromolithographs, including numerous double page plates.
Sold as found & described (we see no obvious signs of removal of any plates), a pleasing assortment of detailed color lithographed plates which represent close to the pinnacle of color printing of this late 19th century era. A monumental work, this being one of the most desirable volumes from the set. Each plate has text leaves describing everything seen on each one.
Attractive antiquarian 1/2 leather binding, marbled covers. Covers detached, sold as a text block of 96 color plates. The math indicates a very reasonable/ low price per color plate, a fraction of what they could sell for individually..
Book is physically old and shows some signs of handling and time.
Text block paper is gently age toned as typical, internally book remains mostly clean, tight and sound. A book which has been taken care of but may/ does not look like new.
Please review photos for more detailed attempt to present this great color plate book as it survives.
We often over-describe any flaws that many sellers would not even bother to mention since most people would overlook them as minor and unworthy of comment. Many people tell us the books they receive from us are nicer in person than they appears on the screen. We want you to be clear about what you are buying, so we take numerous photos and try to describe it openly and honestly.
Book Measures c. 9 1/4" H x 8 3/4" W.
[B8950].