This volume investigates the historical and technical documentation of theatrical aesthetics by cataloging an extensive bibliography and iconography of costume, masks, make-up, and wigs. Sidney Jackson Jowers provides a comprehensive research framework for scholars and practitioners interested in the evolution of stage appearance. By synthesizing diverse archival sources, the work establishes a structured reference point for the visual history of performance. The text serves as a primary tool for identifying source material related to the development of theatrical design across various eras.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational reference text for theater historians and costume designers. The academic density of the prose makes it a specialized resource for those conducting formal research into stage history.