Giulio Ferrario (1767–1847) - Il Costume Antico e Moderno – Asia, Band VI - 1830

Giulio Ferrario – Il Costume Antico e Moderno – Asia, Band VI – 1830 – 14 handcolored copperplate engravings – Siberia, Australia and Oceania – Complete

Third Edition – Turin, Alessandro Fontana, 1830 – All 14 plates present – Historical half-leather binding

Offered is the sixth and final Asia volume from Giulio Ferrario's prominent cultural-historical work Il Costume Antico e Moderno, or History of the Government, the Militia, the Religion, the Arts, the Sciences and Usages of all Ancient and Modern Peoples.

The volume appeared in 1830 in Turin by Alessandro Fontana and belongs to the third edition of this extensive, richly illustrated work on the history, clothing, religion, art, social customs and ways of life of the peoples of the world.

Bibliographic details

* Author: Giulio Ferrario (1767–1847)
* Work: Il Costume Antico e Moderno
* Part: Asia – Volume Six (Band VI)
* Edition: Terza Edizione (3rd edition)
* Place of publication: Torino (Turin)
* Publisher: Alessandro Fontana
* Year of publication: 1830
* Language: Italian
* Illustrations: 14 original, hand-colored copperplate engravings (Nos. 79–92)
* Binding: Contemporary half-leather binding with marbled boards and decorative gold-decorated spine

Content – From Siberia to the South Sea

This particularly interesting volume covers an exceptionally wide geographic range.

The first chapters concern Siberia and the historical ethnic groups of North Asia, including the Burjiats, Yakuts, Samoyeds, Kamchadales and Kalmyks.

Further sections describe Mongolia and Manchuria.

Subsequently follows an extensive presentation of the island world of Southeast Asia and Oceania, including:

* Sumatra, Java and Borneo
* The Philippines and the Moluccas
* Australia, then referred to as New Holland
* New Zealand and New Caledonia
* New Guinea and the Melanesian island groups
* Polynesia, including Tahiti and the Society Islands
* The Marquesas, the Marianas and the Carolines
* The Sandwich Islands, today Hawaii

The historical descriptions and illustrations document European knowledge and the prevailing notions about these regions in the early 19th century.

The 14 historical copperplate engravings – complete

Notably, the complete plate set should be highlighted: All 14 plates listed in the original plate index (Nos. 79–92) are present. Not a single plate is missing.

The plates depict:

1. Barabinski – Historical costumes from Siberia
2. Burjati o Barga-Buriatt – Burji population
3. Samoiedi – Historical depiction of Samoyed populations
4. Yakuti – Yakut costumes
5. Kamtsciadali – Population of Kamchatka
6. Calmucchi – Kalmyk costumes
7. Foggia di vestire de’ Giavanesi – Clothing of the inhabitants of Java
8. Malesi di Timor – Historical costumes of Timor
9. Animali della Nuova Olanda – Australian fauna, including kangaroos and emu
10. Abitatori dell’Isola di Beaupré – Historical portrait depictions
11. Abitatori dell’Isola degli Amici – Inhabitants of the Friendly Islands
12. Piroghe de’ Taitesi – Impressive depiction of Tahitian boats
13. Abitatori delle isole di Pasquaa: idem delle isole Sandwich – Inhabitants of Easter Island and Hawaii
14. Danza – Historical depiction of a dance from the Pacific island world

The plates are characterized by detailed copper engravings and predominantly beautiful, vibrant historical colorings.

Particularly appealing are the colorful costume representations from the Pacific region, the historical illustrations of Australian animals, and the large depiction of Tahitian boats.

Condition

Overall good antique condition with normal age- and use-related signs.

The contemporary half-leather binding has marbled covers and a decorative gold-embossed leather spine.

The binding covers and leather show typical age wear, especially at corners and edges.

The pages show occasional browning, foxing, small stains, and sporadic signs of use.

The historical copper engravings are overall in good condition with mostly well-preserved, attractive colorings. Some plates show age-related spots or discoloration.

All 14 copperplate engravings are completely present.

A beautiful and interesting copy for collectors of historical travel and explorations literature, early ethnographic depictions, Australian and Pacific history, and hand-colored book illustrations of the 19th century.

Note / Disclaimer

This is an original antique book from 1830 with the corresponding age and use marks.

The plate equipment has been checked against the original plate index and is complete with all 14 plates.

The photographs are part of the state description and show the actual offered copy. Please examine all images carefully.

Private sale from a collection of historical travel and illustrated books built up over more than 30 years.