Chappuzeau, Samuel | The history of jewels, first edition in English

Chappuzeau, Samuel 

The history of jewels, and of the principal riches of the east and west... Attended with fair discoveries, conducing to the knowledge of the universe and trade. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671

8vo (135 x 80 mm). Contemporary calf, spine gilt; dry and a bit worn.

First edition in English. "There is nothing more admirable in this lower World then Precious Stones, seeing they are the Starres of the Earth, and shine in competition with those of the Firmament" (preface). A rare and important early work that provides some of the first reliable information on the international jewelry trade, and on several large and famous diamonds which have survived to this day. With information on Peru, the West Indies, and America.

Referred to as an "adventurer in literature" Samuel Chappuzeau (1625-1701) is perhaps best known for his work on French theatre of the 17th century, Théâtre François (Lyon 1674). He was a prolific author, particularly after his move from his native Paris to Geneva in 1662, where he worked with the publisher Widerholt. In this gem of a book, he describes the wealth of the East: "The text is in two parts, the first, of six chapters, describes gemstones beginning with diamond, then those of color, pearls, coral, amber, yellow stones, the metals, ambergris, bezoar, indigo and other 'rich' productions of the East and West Indies, and including salts. The second part describes the places which are referred to in the first part, from Abyssinia to Visapur" (Sinkankas).

REFERENCES

Wing C-1959

PROVENANCE

Earls of Macclesfield (bookplate; Sotheby’s London, 10 June 2004, “The Library of the Earls of Macclesfield removed from Shirburn Castle, Part 2: Science A-C,” lot 512)