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

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

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.

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.

Leather Kodomon Vests from Paloc | 1977

$50.00

Book Title: Paloc Kodmonok Translation: Leather Kodomon Vests from Paloc Author: Maria Kresz Language(s): Hungarian Published: Budapest, Hungary - 1977 Format & Size: Softcover - 8" x 11.25" Pages: 8 page booklet + 15 folded pattern sheets Book Condition: very good; light wear Description: Collection of 15 life size patterns of embroidery from antique sheepskin vests from Paloc region of Hungary. In original folder with text booklet by Alice Gaborjan.

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.

Croatian Folk Costumes in Painting and Graphics of the 19th Century | 1971

$37.00

Book Title: Narodne Nosnje u Slikarstvu i Grafici XIX Stoljeca Translation: Folk Costumes in Painting and Graphics of the 19th Century Author: Marijana Schneider Language(s): Croatian Published: Zagreb, Croatia - 1971 Format & Size: Softcover - 6.5" x 8.5" Pages: 146 Book Condition: good; light wear Description: Museum catalog documenting paintings and illustrated works in the Croatian History Museum that portray Croatian folk dress. Includes nearly 300 artworks with over 50 reproduced in black/white and color images.

Folk Art in Subcarpathian Russia | 1926

$185.00

Book Title: L'Art Populaire en Russie Subcarpathique Translation: Folk Art in Subcarpathian Russia Author: Sergei Konstantinovich Makovski Language(s): French Published: Prague, Czechia - 1926 Format & Size: Softcover - 9.5" x 12.5" Pages: 152 Book Condition: very good; minor wear and tears to protective paper overlay Description: One of the most important early works documenting the traditional folk art of western Ukraine, home of the Rusyn ethnic minority. Illustrated with 100 black/white photos plus 10 color plates of regional embroidery, folk costumes, wood carving, pottery, architecture, and much more. An indispensable work for any serious reference collection.

Folk Costumes of the Western Regions of Ukraine | 1959

$230.00

Book Title: Narodnyy Odyah Zakhidnykh Oblastey URSR Translation: Folk Costumes of the Western Regions of the Ukrainian SSR Author: O.L. Kulchitska Language(s): Ukrainian, Russian, English Published: Kyiv, Ukraine - 1959 Format & Size: Hardcover Folio - 13.75" x 10.25" Pages: 3 x 16 page booklet (1 each in Ukrainian, Russian, English) + 74 plates Book Condition: Very good; complete set; minor wear to folio; occasional discoloration from age Description: Incredible collection of 74 illustrated plates documenting the traditional folk costumes of western Ukraine, including parts of modern-day western Poland as well. This is the complete set, the plates have been counted to ensure that all are present. This is the fundamental work on the folk dress of this region and is an indispensable addition to every serious library on the topic. Includes many plates showing costumes and embroidery element from Rusyn villages in addition to the costumes of Pokuttya, Hutsuls, Polissya, and more. No collection is complete without this scarce set of impressive illustrations.

Postcard – Germany | Group of Men from Schwalm, Hesse

$10.00

Origin: Germany Date: none listed Condition: very good; no writing; not postally used Measurements: approximately 3.5" x 5.5"

Postcard – Germany | Interior Scene from Altenburg

$10.00

Origin: Germany Date: none listed Condition: very good; no writing; not postally used Measurements: approximately 3.5" x 5.5"

Postcard – France | Group of Villagers from Bethmale, Pyrenees

$8.00

Origin: France Date: text on reverse dated 1931 Condition: very good; writing on reverse; not postally used Measurements: approximately 3.5" x 5.5"

Postcard – France | Group of Villagers from Bethmale, Pyrenees

$7.00

Origin: France Date: none listed / postmark illegible Condition: good; minor crease mark; writing on reverse; postally used Measurements: approximately 3.5" x 5.5"

Postcard – Germany | Wedding Costumes from Schwalm, Hesse

$5.00

Origin: Germany Date: none listed Condition: very good; light mount lines on corners; no writing; not postally used Measurements: approximately 3.5" x 5.5"