Welcome to Ellis Island Vintage, a unique collection of historic ethnic clothing from the homes of our ancestors.
Our mission is to preserve traditional forms of clothing worn throughout the rural regions of Europe by making them available to discerning collectors worldwide. By focusing exclusively on this niche of fashion history, we are able to provide unsurpassed customer service in the field of traditional European dress. Our selection of vintage and antique garments has been personally selected and sourced from remote villages, antique markets, and fine collections on both sides of the Atlantic. Every item we sell is guaranteed authentic and is presented with accurate historical information based on 20 years of experience and ethnographic research.
You will also find a wide range of specialized reference books and postcards related to ethnic fashion, folk jewelry, and traditional textiles from around the world. We invite you to browse our selection and join the growing number of museums, fashion designers, private collectors, textile enthusiasts, and cultural institutions already investing in these one-of-a-kind treasures.
Newest Arrivals

Polish Embroidery | 2012
$130.00Book Title: Polish Embroidery Author: Jadwiga Turska Language(s): English Published: Warsaw, Poland - 2012 (2nd edition of 1997 original) Format & Size: Hardcover w/ Dust Jacket - 8.5" x 11.5" Pages: 336 pages Book Condition: Brand New Condition Dust Jacket Condition: Brand New Condition Description: Beautiful album about folk embroidery from all over Poland. Full-page color illustrations showing the incredible details of traditional embroidery designs. Hundreds of color illustrations of embroidery as well as regional folk costumes at the beginning of each section.

Podillya Traditional Folk Embroidery | 2010
$60.00Book Title: Podilska Narodna Vishivka [Etnografitchnyi Aspekt] Translation: Podillya Traditional Folk Embroidery [Ethnographic Aspect] Author: Lyudmyla Bulhakova-Sytnyk Language(s): Ukrainian with short English summary Published: Kamyanets-Podilsky, Ukraine - 2010 Format & Size: Hardcover - 6.75" x 9.25" Pages: 336 Book Condition: Very Good Description: Excellent book about the traditional folk costume of the Podolia region of western Ukraine. Lavishly illustrated with color and black/white photos as well as diagrams of folk costume elements and domestic embroideries.

Clothing of the Old Republic of Poland | 2016
$22.00Book Title: Stroje Dawnej Rzeczpospolitej Translation: Clothing of the Old Republic of Poland Author: Andrzej Famielec Language(s): Polish with English summary and captions Published: Warsaw, Poland - 2016 Format & Size: Softcover - 8.25" x 5.75" Pages: 72 Book Condition: New Description: A collection of images first published in 1841 presenting traditional costumes of historic Poland, which at the time did not exist as a political entity on the world map. The Old Republic, which existed from the fourteenth-eighteenth century, included not only parts of modern Poland, but also regions of Lithuania, Ukraine and Belarus which are thus represented in these 39 drawings. Preceded by an introduction and explanation of the original publication and the included regions.

Traditional Dress in Wallachia | 2017
$125.00Book Title: Jak jde Kroj, Tak se Stroj: Katalog expozice o tradicnim odivani na Valassku Translation: When in Wallachia, Do as the Wallachians Do: Exhibtion Catalog of Traditional Dress in Wallachia Author: Lenka Drapalova and Jana Ticha Language(s): Czech Published: Roznov pod Radhostem, Czechia - 2017 Format & Size: Hardcover - 9.25" x 8.5" Pages: 392 Book Condition: very good; new book with minor bumps on corners Description: Phenomenal museum catalog detailing the traditional clothing of the Moravian Vlachs. Presents individual garments for men, women and children - blouse, skirts, aprons, vests, pants, hats, footwear, and more. Wonderful photography.

Traditional Costumes and Ornaments of Bilgoraj Region | 2013
$95.00Book Title: Tradycyjne Stroje i Zdobienia Bilgorajskie Translation: Traditional Costumes and Ornaments of Bilgoraj Region Author: Elzbieta Piskorz-Branekova Language(s): Polish Published: Zamosc, Poland - 2013 Format & Size: Hardcover; 8" x 11.25" Pages: 150 Book Condition: Very Good Description: Fantastic publication about the traditional folk costumes and embroidery of the Bilgoraj region in eastern Poland. Includes a full descriptive catalog of 576 elements of regional costume from the collections of four Polish museums. Illustrated with color photos of some of the museum holdings, plus archival images and an embroidery stitch guide.

Traditional Costumes and Embroidery of Hrubieszow | 2011
$85.00
Book Title: Tradycyjne Stroje i Hafty Hrubieszowsko-Tomaszowskiego
Translation: Traditional Costumes and Embroidery of the Hrubieszow-Tomaszow Regions
Author: Elzbieta Piskorz-Branekova
Language(s): Polish
Published: Zamosc, Poland - 2011
Format & Size: Hardcover; 8" x 11.25"
Pages: 110
Book Condition: Very Good
Description: This book is an excellent study of the local folk costumes worn in the Polish regions of Hrubieszow and Tomaszow in the Lublin district of southeastern Poland. As the author describes, the costumes presented here were once part of a larger regional tradition that spanned territories now in the Ukraine; however, the costume developed in a mixed environment of Polish and Ukrainian interaction and show the influence of both cultures. The author has focused her research on the costumes worn specifically on the modern Polish side of the border, and on the collections of three Polish museums. The book includes an analysis of 269 clothing elements related to Hrubieszow/Tomaszow costume and presents the regional varieties of men's and women's dress worn in the 19th and early 20th century. Select objects from the collection have also been presented with a special focus on their embroidery, and numerous designs have been recreated in charted patterns and line drawings.

Traditional Jewellery in Nineteenth-Century Europe | 2013
$35.00Book Title: Traditional Jewellery in Nineteenth-Century Europe Author: Jane Perry Language(s): English Published: London, UK - 2013 Format & Size: Hardcover - 8.5" x 10" Pages: 144 pages Book Condition: New Condition - in original shrinkwrap Dust Jacket Condition: New Condition Description: Traditional or “ethnic” jewelry worn with traditional or folk costume was highly fashionable in the 19th century and is now enjoying a revival. This book draws together a selection of beautiful pieces, from Iceland in the north to Cyprus off the shores of Asia Minor, to demonstrate the wonderful variety of this “folk” or “peasant” jewelry, made from a wide range of materials. Spectacular examples, many rarely seen and never before published, include gilded Norwegian wedding crowns and extravagant golden crosses from Normandy, ornate earrings from Spain and Italy, and imposing filigree clasps from the Balkans. The book illustrates how the jewelry was originally worn with traditional dress and explores its popularity in the 19th century.

Blueprint Designs from Slovenia | 2000
$95.00Book Title: Modeli za Modrotisk Translation: Blueprint Designs Author: Andrej Dular Language(s): Slovenian and English Published: Ljubljana, Slovenia - 2000 Format & Size: Softcover - 6.25" x 9.25" Pages: 248 Book Condition: Very Good Condition Description: Detailed monograph about blueprint history in Europe and Slovenia specifically with a detailed catalog of woodblocks and blueprint fabric samples and garments from the National Slovenian Ethnography Museum. 212 pages of bilingual text plus 34 pages of photographs of the museum collection. Scarce.

Folk Costumes of the Czech Republic | 2001
$110.00Book Title: Lidove Kroje z Ceske Republiky Translation: Folk Costumes of the Czech Republic Author: Jirina Langhammerova Language(s): Czech Published: Prague, Czech Republic - 2001 Format & Size: Hardcover - 7" x 9.5" Pages: 264 Book Condition: Very Good Description: Scarce book about the folk costumes of the Czech Republic - one of the fundamental reference works on Czech folk dress. The book provides an introduction to regional folk dress and the cultural background, then explains various types of peasant dress (dress for work, festive dress, holiday/wedding dress, and children's dress). The bulk of the book is an overview of Czech costumes by region: Southern Czech costumes, Central Czech costumes, Western Czech costumes, North-Eastern Czech costumes, Eastern Czech costumes, Horacko, Central Moravia, North-Eastern Moravia, Silesia (Slezko), Southern Moravia, & Slovacko. Each of these chapters is broken down by more specific region such Melnicko, Hana, Tesinko, Hornacko, Kyjov, etc. There is also a list of books on costumes, a glossary of Czech terms, and a helpful index. An excellent work devoted to the costumes of the Czech Rep & Moravia. Hundreds of photos, illustrations, diagrams, maps, reproductions of paintings, and much more. At least one image per page, often two or three including some full-page images.

The World of the Boykos: Ethnographic Journey Through the Boyko Lands
$60.00Book Title: Swiat Bojkow: Etnograficzna Podroz po Bojkowszczyznie Translation: The World of the Boykos: Ethnographic Journey Through the Boyko Lands Author: Andrzej Karczmarzewski Language(s): Polish Published: Rzeszow, Poland - 2014 Format & Size: Hardcover - 8.5" x 11.5" Pages: 210 Book Condition: Very Good Condition Description: Beautiful book about the culture, history, arts, and way of life of the Boyko people. The Boykos are a Rusyn people living mainly in the Ukrainian part of the Polish/Slovak/Ukrainian borderlands of the Carpathian Mountains. The book is illustrated with excellent historic and contemporary photos that accompany a rich text describing Boyko culture, religion, holidays, rituals, costume, farming, architecture, and more.

Embroidery from Zhydavchiv | 2019
$75.00Book Title: Vishivka Zhydachivshchini z kolektsii Muzeyu narodnoi arkhitektury ta pobutu u Lvovi Translation: Embroidery from Zhydavchiv from the Collectionof the Museum of Folk Architecture and Folkways in Lviv Author: Irina Bachkova Language(s): Ukrainian Published: Lviv, Ukraine - 2019 Format & Size: Hardcover; 12" x 15.25" Pages: 92 Book Condition: Like New Description: Stunning book presenting the traditional folk costumes and embroidery of Zhydavchiv area located in western Ukraine. Illustrated with breathtaking detailed photos of embroidered blouses and other elements of traditional garb. A treat for both embroiderers and enthusiasts of traditional textile art and folk dress.

Gabrovo Sokai Embroideries | 2019
$65.00Book Title: Gabrovski sokaini shevitsi - katalog Translation: Gabrovo Sokai Embroideries - Catalogue Author: Aksinia Bouteva Language(s): Bulgarian and English Published: Gabrovo, Bulgaria - 2019 Format & Size: Hardcover; 9.5" x 12.5" Pages: 80 Book Condition: Like New Description: Beautiful catalog featuring several dozen antique embroidered sokai headdresses from the Gabrovo area of Bulgaria. Useful introductory text in both languages plus detailed captions for each of the presented artifacts. An important reference on this subject and a nice addition to your library.

Women’s Beaded Jewelry of Transcarpathia | 2020
$50.00Book Title: Zhynochy Prikrasy z Biseru na Zakarpatty Translation: Women's Beaded Jewelry of Transcarpathia Author: Vasyl Kotsan Language(s): Ukrainian and English Published: Uzhgorod, Ukraine - 2020 Format & Size: Hardcover; 8.25" x 8.5" Pages: 116 Book Condition: Like New Description: Wonderful book presenting the traditional beaded folk jewelry of the Zakarpattya region of western Ukraine. Divided into ethnographic groups: Dolinians, Hutsuls, Boykos, and Lemkos. Beautifully illustrated with color photos and historic images of women in regional folk costumes. A nice addition to your library.

Costumes of the Polish People: Beskid Highlanders | 1932
$120.00Book Title: Ubiory Ludu Polskiego: Zeszyt III - Gorale Beskidowi Translation: Costumes of the Polish People: Volume III - Beskid Highlanders Author: Seweryn Udziela Language(s): Polish Published: Krakow, Poland - 1932 Format & Size: Softcover; 9.5" x 12.5" Pages: 40 Book Condition: wear and small chips to cover; light wear, but overall quite good Description: Very rare book from 1932 about Polish folk costumes of the Beskid highlanders. Very few copies of this book survive today and it would be a treasure in any Polish history or ethnography collection. While, the book does have some light wear and signs of use, it is still in very good condition considering its age and remains a useful and important historical reference. Scarce and highly recommended.

Folk Costumes of the Matyo | 1956
$70.00Book Title: Matyo Nepviselet Translation: Folk Costumes of the Matyo Author: Istvan Gyorffy Language(s): Hungarian Published: Budapest, Hungary - 1956 Format & Size: Hardcover; 9" x 9.5" Pages: 206 Book Condition: good; laminated cover; split hinges; modern color photo glued to back of title page Description: Beautiful book about the traditional folk costumes of the Matyo people from the Mezokovesd region. Present the regional characteristics and variations of men's and women's dress from the 19th and early 20th century. Illustrated with hundreds of historic black/white photos, drawings of costume elements, and several color plates. Scarce and highly recommended.

Albanian Folk Motifs – Textiles and Needlework | 1959
$90.00Book Title: Albanskiye Narodnyye Motivy Tekstilya i Trikotazha Translation: Albanian Folk Motifs - Textiles and Needlework Author: Ikbal Mustafa Language(s): Russian Published: Tirana, Albania - 1959 Format & Size: Hardcover - 10.5" x 14.25" Pages: 108 Book Condition: generally good; marks and wear to cover; interior very good Description: Very nice collection of 161 traditional weaving and embroidery patterns from Albanian ethnographic textiles and garments. The patterns are bound with string so that the book can be taken apart for ease of reproducing the designs if desired. Beautiful, complete set of designs.