Des Pierres précieuses et des Pierres fines, avec les moyens de les connoitre & de...
2 p.l., xii, 124, [4] pp. 12mo, cont. blond calf (two corners a tiny bit worn), triple gilt fillet round sides, spine finely gilt with chevrons “à la grotesque,” red morocco lettering piece on spine. Paris: F.A. Didot & De Bure, 1776.
First edition of this introduction to precious stones written for collectors and jewelers; according to the author this is the first complete treatise on precious stones. Dutens describes the chief varieties including diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, etc. He has also provided an interesting table at the end of current prices of diamonds of increasing carats. In the Preface... More