DIAMONDS AND PRECIOUS STONES, THEIR HISTORY, VALUE AND CHARACTERISTICS. WITH SIMPLE TEXTS FOR THEIR IDENTIFICATION. WITH NEW TABLE OF PRESENT VALUE OF DIAMONDS — By Harry Emanuel (GOLD AND SILVERSMITH TO THE QUEEN AND PRINCE OF WALES 1862 - 1864) — 2nd Edition 1867 — JEWELER TO THE ROYALTY OF VICTORIAN ENGLAND Publisher: John Camden Hotten, London (1867)
Very scarce second edition from 1867 of "Diamonds and Precious Stones" by Harry Emanuel, in well preserved condition. Rebound with minimal wear to the boards and binding. Pages are crisp and clean save for sporadic foxing on the borders of a few pages and library stamp on the first page. Sparse notes in margin of p. 82 only.
266pp plus list of publisher's books at end. This is the second edition which contains a special frontispiece of crushed
blue felt velvet with gilt title and small water color cartouche, not found in
other editions. Illustrated with five full-page plates. Included
are chapters on the properties, characteristics, and geographical occurrence of
precious stones, the precious stones mentioned in the Bible, descriptions of
famous large diamonds (Braganza, Orloff, Polar Star, Shaw, etc.), methods of
cutting and polishing. Numerous illustrations in the text and tables at the
rear of the book listing the distinguishing characteristics of diamonds and gems. Following the tables is a substantial bibliography. Harry Emanuel (1855 - 1873; active). Jewelry
retailer continuing a family business that began in 1802 with Joel Emanuel. Specialized
in the selling of diamonds, expensive jewelry, objects of vertu and silverware.
Appeared at the International Exhibition of 1862 and the Paris Exhibition of
1867. Achieved great renown and so was bestowed titles such as 'gold and
silversmith to the Queen & Prince of Wales' (1862-64) until his retirement,
at which time his remaining stock was sold at Christie's (17th-21st December
1873). Died 1898.
