DE BOODT Anselm de Le Parfaict joaillier ou histoire des pierreries: ou sont amplement descrites leur naissance, iuste prix, moyen, de les cognoistre, & se garder des contrefaites, facultez medicinales, & proprietez curieuses.

Sinkankas, 780; Neville, I, 177; Hoover, 147; Krivatsy, 1541; Wellcome, II, 202; Caillet, I, 1286 (“rare et singulier”); Brunet, I, 1108.

First edition of the first French translation of this important work on gems.

“The first translation into French by Jean Bachou, of the first Adrian Toll Latin edition (Leyden 1636). The publisher, J.A. Huguetan, dedicated the book to Gaspard de Monconys, and the privilege is dated 4 Jaunary 1644. Important as the authority on historical gems, and for giving the prices of gems and pearls and illustations of lapidary’s tools and apparatus for cutting and polishing diamonds” (Zeitlinger).

“There is a long section on the lodestone and magnets” (Neville).

The two folding tables (p. 7 et 17) explain the differences between ordinary and precious stones (“Division des pierres précieuses et communes”). The book alos contains 45 woodcuts in the text depicting tools, apparatus, and minerals.

Uniformly toned.

WIthout the rare errata leaf but containing the two rare folding plates, and the additional leaf pp. 95/96 with more information on a cutting and polishing apparatus.