[Rarebooks] FS: The First Amrican Book on Gems [1838]

[Joslin Hall Rare books]

Feuchtwanger, Dr. Lewis.  "A TREATISE ON GEMS, in reference to their
Practical and Scientific Value; a useful guide for the jeweller, amateur
artist, lapidary, mineralogist, and chemist. Accompanied by a description
of the most interesting American gems, and ornamental and architectural
materials"

New York; printed by A. Hanford: 1838.

The first edition of the first monograph on gemstones to be published in
the United States. This work continued as the standard reference, in
various editions, until George Kunz' works in the 1890s.

Sinkankas notes- "The text begins with general gemology: properties,
geographical distribution, enhancement of color, gem setting, cleaning of
gems, imitations, commerce, and gems used in optical applications. The
second part considers individual gemstones and ornamental materials...
Feuchtwanger took special care to record as much information as he could
on native gemstones and the localities that furnished them... Another
'first' of the present work is the extended description of pearls,
artificial pearls, and corals".

All early editions of this work have become difficult to find, and
Sinkankas notes this as "very rare". This copy retains its original
blindstamped cloth binding.

Hardcover. 6"x9", 162 pages, several line illustrations of gem cuts;
original patterned cloth boards, blindstamped with an interesting design
of scrolls and boxes; spine cloth split along the outer hinge for 3.5";
spine head lightly chipped; contents with very minor scattered foxing. 
[9528]
$750.00

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