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

The World of the Boykos: Ethnographic Journey Through the Boyko Lands

$60.00

Book 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

$75.00

Book 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

$65.00

Book 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

$50.00

Book 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

$120.00

Book 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

$70.00

Book 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

$90.00

Book 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.

Transylvania Saxon Linen Embroidery | 1979

$75.00

Book Title: Siebenburgisch-Sachische Leinenstickereien Translation: Transylvania Saxon Linen Embroidery Author: Emil Sigerus Language(s): German Published: Thaur bei Innsbruck, Austria - 1979 Format & Size: Hardcover - 9.75" x 13" Pages: 42 pattern plates + 8 page intro Book Condition: Very Good - minor damage to cloth binding at base of spine Description: Beautiful collection of traditional folk embroidery patterns from Transylvania. Clear, detailed charts on 42 plates showing various historic cross-stitch motifs from embroidered textiles.

Ukrainian Rushnyks | 1981

$20.00

Book Title: Ukrainski Rushniki Translation: Ukrainian Rushnyks Author: Oksana Grabovi Language(s): Ukrainian Published: New York, NY - 1981 Format & Size: Softcover - 11" x 8.5" Pages: 26 Book Condition: Very Good Description: Exhibition catalog about Ukrainian embroidered ritual cloths, called Rushniki (plural; rushnik singular) in Ukrainian. Includes several dozen examples of these cloths in the collection of the Ukrainian Museum. Approximately 30 color and black/white photos of embroidery, historic paintings, icons, etc - related to the Rushnyk.

Black Cotton Embroidered Apron with Birds | Nizny Klatov, Slovakia

$285.00

Origin: Slovakia | Myslava region | Nizny Klatov village Era: Early 20th century (circa 1910-1930) Condition: good; some stains; no waist tie ribbons; suitable for both wear and display Measurements 17" across top x 24" long Additional Notes: Traditional man's apron embroidered with floral and bird motifs along with the maker's initials. The edges are trimmed with rare multicolored, handmade bobbin lace. Such aprons were only worn with the most festive folk costumes in this region.

Zdenka Sertic & The Ethnography Museum in Zagreb | 1997

$42.00

Book Title: Zdenka Sertic & Etnografski Muzej u Zagrebu Translation: Zdenka Sertic & The Ethnography Museum in Zagreb Author: Ivanka Ivkanec Language(s): Croatian Published: Zagreb, Croatia - 1997 Format & Size: Softcover - 8.25" x 11.5" Pages: 68 Book Condition: very good; minor wear Description: Lovely catalog from the Ethnography Museum in Zagreb presenting works of art by Zdenka Sertic who carefully documented Croatian traditional folk costumes, patterns, and handcrafts. Exhibition catalog illustrated with reproductions of 28 remarkable artworks.

In the Land of the Reindeer | 1974

$44.00

Book Title: In the Land of the Reindeer Author: N. Kaplan Language(s): English and Russian Published: Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Russia - 1974 Format & Size: Hardcover w/ Dust Jacket - 8.25" x 11.75" Pages: 120 Book Condition: very good Dust Jacket Condition: good; light wear; small tears Description: Great book about the traditional folk art of Siberia. Color photos of handicrafts of various native cultures: Dolgan, Evenk, Nennish, Khant, Koryak, Chukchi, Eskimo, Yakut, and more. Illustrations showing fur clothing, ivory carvings, rugs, metalwork and much more.

Hessian Everyday Dress […] from 1925-1935 | 1983

$40.00

Book Title: Hessischer Trachtenalltag: Tracht als Spiegel landlicher Lebensweisen 1925-1935 Translation: Hessian Everyday Dress: Costume as a Reflection of Rural Lifestyles 1925-1935 Photos: Margarethe Dieffenbach Language(s): German Published: Frankfurt, Germany - 1983 Format & Size: Hardcover - 5.75" x 8.5" Pages: 320 Book Condition: very good; light wear Description: Excellent book presenting ethnographic photos taken by Margarethe Dieffenbach between 1925-35 of people in traditional dress in the Hesse region of Germany, which includes the costumes of Marburg, Hinterlandes, Schwalm, Niederhessen, Schlizer, Odenwald, Wetterau, and Huttenberg. The photos show children, women and men in traditional clothing from each of these parts of Hesse. Includes everyday dress and holiday costumes. A treasure for anyone interested in German ethnic dress as it was worn to work, school, around the house, to church, and for holidays. A detailed publication with priceless photographic documentation.

Folk Costumes of Baranja Croatians | 1986

~~$70.00~~ $65.00

Book Title: Narodna Nosnja Baranjskih Hrvata / Baranyai Horvat Nepviselet Translation: Folk Costumes of Baranja Croatians Author: Duro Sarosac Language(s): Croatian and Hungarian Published: Budapest, Hungary - 1986 Format & Size: Hardcover w/ Dust Jacket - 6.75" x 9.5" Pages: 248 Book Condition: very good Dust Jacket Condition: very good; light wear Description: Detailed work about the traditional folk costumes of the Hungarians of Baranya ethnographic region split between Croatia and Hungary. Illustrated with hundreds of black/white and color photos documenting various garments, embroideries, woven textiles, jewelry, and complete ensembles.

Sale!

Men’s Belts – Beautiful Works of Folk Art | 1998

$150.00

Book Title: Mannsgurten - Schone Arbeiten der Volkskunst Translation: Men's Belts - Beautiful Works of Folk Art Author: Ewald Martin & Ernst-Ludwig Wagner Language(s): German Published: Trostberg, Germany - 1998 Format & Size: Hardcover - 9.5" x 12" Pages: 148 Book Condition: very good Description: Impressive book about traditional men's leather belts from Bavaria and Tirol. These belts have a long history in the region and were also worn in neighboring parts of Italy and Bohemia. The book documents various styles of men's belts including ones decorated with tin nails and feather quill embroidery. Each belt is a work of art on its own and by bringing together so many in one place the book offers the option for comparison and study of these impressive elements of regional dress.

The Vlachs and Cieszyn Folk Costume | 2013

$34.00

Book Title: O Walachach i Stroju Cieszynskim / O Valasich i Tesinskem Kroji Translation: The Vlachs and Cieszyn Folk Costume Author: Marian Dembiniok Language(s): Polish and Czech Published: Jasienica, Poland - 2013 Format & Size: Hardcover - 9" x 9" Pages: 48 Book Condition: very good Description: Interesting book about the Cieszyn Vlachs and their traditional clothing worn in the Cieszyn region of Silesia. Beautifully illustrated with color photos of museum objects and local dance groups in costumes.