EDITORS: Photos available on request.

ANN ARBOR—Starting with paper and pen and ending with velvet and jewels, the process of costume design from inspiration to finished product is on display at the University of Michigan’s Special Collections Library through April 14. Costuming in Shakespeare’s History Plays” is presented in conjunction with U-M’s hosting the March residency of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Among the items featured in the exhibit that concentrates on the Bard’s Histories are artifacts from the Zelma Weisfeld collection. Weisfeld was a professor of costume design at U-M and has provided her research notes; preliminary sketches of the costumes; plans developed between the director, costume designer and stage designer; textile swatches; final drawings with swatch materials; and finished production photos.

“The most stunning pieces of the exhibit are the costumes themselves,” says Kathryn Beam, curator of the exhibit. “One of the most impressive items is a blue velvet, medieval-styled gown worn for the role of Queen Elizabeth in a 1988 production of ‘Richard II‘ at the Stratford Festival.”

Also included in the materials contributed by Stratford is a full-jeweled crown, a suit of armor and armor for a horse. A contrasting costume from a 1999 production mixes historical period details from the 14th century with contemporary 20th century interpretation.

Documents that demonstrate changing attitudes toward theatrical costuming during the 18th and 19th centuries are from the Special Collections Library. Highlights include two publications from John Robinson Planche, one of the first to pursue historical accuracy in costuming. The 1823 original publication of his costuming of Shakespeare’s “King John” and his 1830 drawings for a production of “Richard III” are also included. On display is a reprint engraving of David Garrick in the role of Richard II by the artist William Hogarth, and a souvenir 1899 album that includes Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree in his role of King John.

Several items from the Royal Shakespeare Company will also be available for viewing, including a pair of leather gloves reputed to have belonged to William Shakespeare and an engraving of Edmund Kean in the role of Richard III, hand colored and decorated with pieces of cloth, silver, gold leaf, beads and glass stones.

In conjunction with the Company’s residency, Beam will present a lecture, “From Jerkin to Jacket: Changing Styles in Shakespearean Costume Design,” in the Special Collections Library on the seventh floor of U-M’s Hatcher Graduate Library March 11 at 1 p.m., March 15 at 6:30 p.m. and March 18 at 1 p.m.

The costume display can be viewed Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon. The exhibit will also be open

Special Collections LibraryZelma Weisfeld collectionKathryn BeamKing JohnEdmund KeanHatcher Graduate Library