Diamonds and Precious Stones – Louis Dieulafait – 1874 | Engravings, Decorative Cloth

Louis Dieulafait’s Diamonds and Precious Stones was first published in English in 1874 by Scribner, Armstrong, and Co. in New York. Translated by Fanchon Sanford, the work examines the classification and commercial relevance of natural and artificial gems. It surveys materials such as sapphires, rubies, emeralds, topaz, pearls, amber, and lapis-lazuli. Topics include gem-cutting methods and counterfeit practices. The text features 126 wood engravings and is presented in green cloth with gilt ornamentation.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Diamonds and Precious Stones: A Popular Account of Gems, Containing Their History, Their Distinctive Properties, and a Description of the Most Famous Gems
• Author(s): Louis Dieulafait
• Illustrator(s): uncredited
• Contributor(s): Fanchon Sanford (Translator)
• Publisher: New York: Scribner, Armstrong, and Co.
• Edition: First American edition. 1874
• Format: (12mo), single volume
• Binding: Decorative green cloth, gilt title and ornamentation
• Size: 7.5in x 5in (19cm x 13cm)
• Collation: [2], xii, 292
• Illustrations: 126 wood engravings
• Contents Include:
  • History of Gem Collecting
  • Gem Cutting and Preparation
  • Common and Rare Gemstones: diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, topaz, pearls, amber, and lapis-lazuli
  • Imitation and Synthetic Stones
• Provenance: Stamp: L. L. Lorillard
  • Louis Lasher Lorillard (1849-1910) was a prominent American clubman, yachtsman, and socialite. Upon his father’s death in 1867, eighteen year old Louis was regarded as one of the wealthiest young men in New York.

Condition:

Near Fine. Decorative cloth remains bright with light handling wear; gilt stamping sharp. Binding firm. Interior pages clean overall with minor age-toning. No markings or tears.

Why Collect This?

• Illustrated American edition from 1874
• 126 wood engravings of gems and stone setting
• Relevant to collectors of minerals, gems, and decorative arts

Item Number: #28902