Talbot Hughes (1869-1942) was a British painter, a collector of historical costumes and miniature portraits, and writer on fine art and costume design. His collection of historical costumes and accessories was huge - totalling 750 pieces dating from 1450 to the through the 1870s. He used the costumes as props in his studio which enabled him to produce his historical paintings. In 1913, he published this book on Dress Design: an account of costume for artists and dress makers, illustrated by the author from old examples.
The contents Include: Prehistoric Dress, Male and Female, The Development of Costume to the Tenth Century - Male and Female, Tenth to the Fifteenth Century - Male and Female. Fifteenth Century - Male and Female, Sixteenth Century - Character of Trimmings and various Male and Female designs, The Character of Trimmings through the Seventeenth Century and various Male and Female designs, The Character of Decoration and Trimmings of the Eighteenth Century and various Male and Female designs, Character of Trimmings of the Nineteenth Century and various Male and Female designs, Patterns of Various Reigns from Antique Costume, Patterns to Scale and an Index.

This book is new and has been carefully reproduced from the original, complete with all the photographs and illustrations.