ROBIDA (Albert). Mesdames nos aïeules. Ten centuries of elegance. Paris: Librairie illustrée, [1891]. - In-12, 187 x 120: frontispiece, (2 ff.), 254 pp. 28 plates, illustrated cover. Blond calf, boards and spine decorated with compositions drawn and watercolored by Robida, author and title in pen on spine, gilt edges on witnesses, covers and spine preserved (period binding). First edition of this work on the history of women's fashion in France since the Middle Ages, written by Albert ROBIDA and illustrated by the author with 29 out-of-text color drawings, including the frontispiece, reproduced in zincography after Colas, and black illustrations in the text. ONE OF 50 EXEMPLIES ON LARGE VELIN PAPER, the only edition on large paper. A precious copy in a contemporary binding decorated with 3 original color compositions by Albert Robida, covering both boards and the spine, the first board being signed, and enriched with a large original watercolor signed by the artist on the false title, dedicated to his publisher and friend Georges Decaux (1845?-1914): to my friend // Georges Decaux // A. Robida In 1877, Decaux founded the illustrated bookshop with the help of Maurice Dreyfous. Both publishers encouraged Albert Robida to experiment with etching and lithography. "Georges Decaux was an innovator, one of the most active minds in the book trade" (Paul Margueritte). Almost his entire library of over 3,000 works is preserved at the Paris Historical Library. An exceptional copy in a binding decorated by Robida. Spine faded, scattered brown spots. Provenance: Georges Decaux, with consignment.