For many true and serious collectors the hunt and chase of an object are as rewarding as the ownership. The private collector of this important library of books loved the search and was truly rewarded by his exceptional finds. The collection is well thought out and complete; it demonstrates the true passion and connoisseurship of the collector for his subject. He did not just look for a particular book, but rather looked for the rarest edition or signed copy of that book. This is the most important compilation related to this field to be offered in recent years.
Throughout the ages, gems and jewelry have fascinated man as a natural phenomena and as a means to adorn the body. Their rarity, durability and beauty have given them both intrinsic value and intrique. Writers have chosen them as a favorite subject covering everything from their physical properties to their use in jewelry.
From the 1st to the 17th Century many scholars, including Pliny, wrote about gems, yet few of these texts survive. This collection includes one such work, DeBoodt's Gemmarum et Lapidum Historia, 3rd Edition, printed in 1647 (Lot 1). A profusion of books on the subject were written in the 19th Century and yet, because they were not printed in huge quantities or were printed on perishable paper, they are collectible and difficult to find today.
Highlights of this collection include the auction catalogue from the sale of selected French Crown Jewels in 1887 (Lot 38), Kunz's The Book of the Pearl with an inscription to Henry Ford (Lot 25) and Streeter's The Great Diamonds of the World inscribed to Mrs. Hope of the Hope diamond (Lot 19).
The catalogue often refers to the words of John Sinkankas quoted from his book Gemology An Annotated Bibliography Metuchen, N.J.: The Scarecrow Press, Inc. 1993 Vol I and II. For this book is the most complete bibliography on gemology ever written and not only lists the books, but provides valuable information on various editions.
This extraordinary collection will be offered in three parts, the first of which we have before us in this single owner catalogue, and the second two in subsequent jewelry auctions this June and October. It is our hopes that the dispersal of this collection will find new and old collectors alike in pursuit of that rare and unfound book on gems.
AFTERNOON SESSION
AT 2:30 P.M.
(Lots 1-40)
BOOT, ANSELMUS BOETIUS DE. GEMMARUM ET LAPIDUM HISTORIA
細節
BOOT, ANSELMUS BOETIUS DE. GEMMARUM ET LAPIDUM HISTORIA
Leyden: 1647. 576pp.
Together with LAET, IOANNIS DE. ANTVVERPIANI DE GEMMIS ET LAPIDIBUS
Leyden: 1647. 210pp.
This is a very important early work on gemstones and their cutting. Written in Latin it provides the essence of all knowledge on gems available at the time it was written. Of special interest are the woodcuts detailing lapidary apparatus of the period. De Laet's work consists of two books with chapters on each of the many gemstones, transparent and semi-transparent.
Leyden: 1647. 576pp.
Together with LAET, IOANNIS DE. ANTVVERPIANI DE GEMMIS ET LAPIDIBUS
Leyden: 1647. 210pp.
This is a very important early work on gemstones and their cutting. Written in Latin it provides the essence of all knowledge on gems available at the time it was written. Of special interest are the woodcuts detailing lapidary apparatus of the period. De Laet's work consists of two books with chapters on each of the many gemstones, transparent and semi-transparent.