FLADUNG, J.A.F.

Versuch über Kennzeichen der Edelsteine und deren vortheilhaftesten Schnitt. Zum Theile nach der Berschreibung des Museums des Herrn de Drée...Nebst einem Verzeichnisse und einer Abbildung der ausgewählten Edelstein-Sammlung des Herrn J.F. von der Null.

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One folding engraved plate depicting 82 faceted gems. 4 p.l., iv, [6] , 138 pp. (the last two leaves are folding), one leaf of ads. 8vo, orig. blue-grey printed wrappers (minor foxing), uncut. Pest: Hartleben, 1819. First edition of an extremely rare book; this is a fine copy in original state. “The text falls into three distinct parts: the first, a short essay embodying general remarks on gemstones and their properties and the determination of specific gravity, the second, a systematic description of gemstones, and the last part treating technical matters. The descriptions of gemstones include names in other languages besides German but is otherwise undistinguished. However, of much more interest is the last part which discusses in detail the lapidary arts with emphasis laid upon the correct proportions of faceted gems if they are to appear at their best; this is one of the earliest places in the literature where correct proportions are recognized as being vital to development of brilliance. Here also appear observations on the use of backing foils for transparent gems and their imitations. The folding leaves…list and describe the cut gems in the cabinet of Jacques Friedrich von der Null. These gems are shown in outline, alone, or in settings, upon the engraved plate. The tables give the plate number, name, and weight of the gem, its color, source, and specific gravity. A very rare work.”–Sinkankas 2143. Fine copy. ❧ Schuh, Mineralogy & Crystallography: A Biobibliography, 1469 to 1920, 1686–“Rare.”

• USD 4,750.00 > other currencies
• ordernr.: HillBibl-1949

• bookseller: Jonathan A. Hill, Bookseller, Inc. (USA)