Britannic Auctions recently sold an 1822 edition of Costume of the Lower Orders of the Metropolis by Thomas Lord Busby for $1,400. This book is packed with hand-colored plates showing what London’s working-class people were wearing back in the early 19th century. From street vendors to laborers, Busby illustrated the everyday clothing of people who kept the city running.
This edition is housed in full red Morocco bindings, which means it’s covered in a high-quality goatskin leather. Morocco leather is smooth, durable, and often used for premium bookbinding. If a book was bound this way, it was made to last—and to impress.
Busby’s illustrations were first published as part of Samuel Leigh’s New Picture of London and were also sold separately. That means people at the time saw real value in these images, whether as a reference or a collectible.
One interesting feature of this copy is its bookplate from Mario Serandrei, possibly the well-known Italian film editor. When a book has a notable previous owner, that can add to its desirability among collectors. Provenance like this gives buyers an extra layer of history beyond just the content itself.
Who Was Thomas Lord Busby?
Thomas Lord Busby (1755–1838) was a British illustrator who documented everyday life in London through his artwork. Instead of painting the wealthy elite, he focused on working-class people and what they wore. His drawings captured the kinds of details that often get lost in history books—things like how a street vendor dressed or what a dockworker might wear on the job.
Why Collectors Want Books Like This
Illustrated books from this period, especially those with hand-colored plates and high-end bindings, continue to attract collectors. Books like Busby’s aren’t just about the art—they’re a window into the past, showing how people really lived. The $1,400 auction price shows that demand for well-preserved historical books is still strong, especially when they come with good binding, clear provenance, and detailed artwork.
