Il Costume Antico e Moderno

First edition of Ferrario's monumental work, issued in French and Italian, this being the Italian text version. It is a comprehensive account of the flora and fauna, costumes, religious customs, recreations of all the peoples of the world, both ancient and modern and including many topographical views etc. It represented the first detailed study of world geography with reference to civil and military customs, customs and tradition of various diverse peoples, little known at the time. Of particular importance are the illustrations in the United States depicting Native American monuments, cities and populations. It was very successful and reprinted several times.

Giulio Ferrario (1767-1847) was head librarian of the Braidense Library and author of several erudite historical works.