*** Resending note of 11/18/97 12:04
Federalist & Regency Costume: 1790-1819, by R.L. Shep
Is it available yet? Where can I get it? Historic costumers will devour it!
are the eager reactions to news of the reprinting of the oldest (1796)
tailoring book published in the English language.
The Tailor's Complete Guide was published in the U.K. during a transitional
time in fashion, society, politics, and industry. A revised version, The
Tailor's Instructor was published by James Queen & William Lapsley in
Philadelphia in 1809. R.L. Shep includes both tailoring guides in his
latest release, again providing the costume world with affordable access to
rare primary source materials.
Federalist & Regency Costume contains a complete transcription of The
Tailor's Complete Guide and a comparison to the Queen & Lapsley book, with
notes on additions, deletions, and changes. The late costumer Betty
Williams fostered this reprint and had a hand in identifying the pattern
pieces. Until this reprint, only portions of The Tailor's Guide have been
reproduced: by Victorian master tailor Edward Giles, and by Nora Waugh.
According to historic costumers and book dealers consulted, neither
tailoring book is readily available in the marketplace or even in academic
libraries. In addition, few primary sources have been reprinted from this
time period. Books like this one that add to the understanding of the
history of men's clothing are especially welcome in the costume world.
R.L. Shep has chosen to place The Tailor's Guide on the right hand pages,
and comments and comparisons to Queen and Lapsley on the left hand pages.
The text is interspersed with patterns and illustrations of garments for
men, women. boys. Queen and Lapsley has a chapter on uniforms which reflect
on the War of 1812. The inclusion of reprints of fashion news,
descriptions, and fashion plates from The Lady's Magazine 1796, and La
Belle Assemblee 1807 and Le Beau Monde 1806-9 aptly complement the
tailoring guides.
The format of Federalist & Regency Costume is consistent with R.L. Shep's
other books: large paperback, b/w illustrations, easy to read typeface,
additional pithy notes, glossary, and bibliography.
This book is a true boon to anyone studying or working on clothing from
this time period. Historic costumers and reanactors will find it
particularly helpful in replicating the uniforms of the period. Even if you
don't sew this book is an important, affordable, tool for understanding the
fashions and mind set of the Federalist/Jane Austen/Napoleonic time period.
--- Debra Regan Cleveland
Fashion Journalist
Member, Costume Society of America
&
The Costume Society
for further information contact:
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