WAHLEN, Auguste. - Lot 226

WAHLEN, Auguste. Customs, Traditions, and Costumes of All the Peoples of the World... Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Oceania. Brussels: Librairie Historique-Artistique, 1843–1844. 4 volumes, in-8. Contemporary half-basane leather binding, spine with 4 faux raised bands, gilt title, panels decorated with cold-stamped metal and gilt fillets (some scuffing on the binding and faint foxing, mainly on the first few leaves; the headbands are slightly split). First edition of this important work, comprising 210 hand-colored plates of costumes from peoples around the world, enhanced with gum, along with four title vignettes, also colored. The plates, engraved notably by Doms, Duverger, Lisbet, and Markaert, are all preserved with their endpapers. A fine copy. The number of plates varies considerably from copy to copy; those containing 210 plates are considered the most complete. All the endpapers are present, in good condition, and free of foxing. Asia (1843). (2) ff., 591-(1), 84 plates -- Europe (1844). (2) ff., 361 pp., (1) ff., 46 plates -- Africa and America (1844). (2) ff., 365 pp. (1) f., 47 plates -- Oceania (1843). (2) ff., 368 pp., 33 plates. Colas, 3041.