The Curious Lore of Precious Stones: Being a Description of Their Sentiments and Folk Lore, Superstitions, Symbolism, Mysticism, Use in Medicine, Protection, Prevention, Religion, and Divination, Crystal Gazing, Birth-Stones, Lucky Stones and Talismans, Astral, Zodiacal, and Planetary FIRST EDITION
Philadelphia & London: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1913.
First Edition. Hardcover. Very good. Item #UB-17851
A gleaming treasure trove of knowledge on the history, folklore, esoteric symbolism, and occult properties of gemstones, this 1913 first edition comes richly illustrated in 6 tissue-guarded color plates, 56 doubletone illustrations, and 24 linecut vignettes of Gothic crowns, African agate charms, Tibetan mosaics, Japanese crystal balls, Egyptian masks of obsidian, ancient Mexican rock-crystal skulls, Dr. John Dee's divinatory 'Shew Stone,' heart-shaped amber amulets, fairy stones of Staurolite crystal, and more.
The Curious Lore of Precious Stones is the work of George Frederick Kunz (1856–1932), the Tiffany & Co. gemologist, discoverer of kunzite, champion of the international carat, fashioner of the Tiffany Yellow Diamond, curator of the Morgan-Tiffany collection of gems in the American Museum of Natural History, and founder of the Museums of the Peaceful Arts.
Kunz drew on the unrivalled scope of his own library, now known as the George F. Kunz Collection of the US Geological Survey Library, including rare works on mineralogy, gemology, the lapidary arts, and archival gem trade records, as well as medieval lapidaries in Greek and Latin, the Norse Eddas, Rabbinical traditions and Biblical text, old English ballads, alchemical treatises, the writings of occultists such as Eliphas Levi, and much more in compiling the veritable gemological tome he entitled THE CURIOUS LORE OF PRECIOUS STONES.
A sought-after guide to the magical, medicinal, religious, and astrological properties and abilities of gemstones, THE CURIOUS LORE OF PRECIOUS STONES offers among its contents: a study of talismans and amulets, a survey of "Ominous and Luminous Stones" (including poisonous diamond dust, ominously darkening rubies, and opalescent Evil Eyes), an in-depth cross-study of birthstones and their zodiacal symbolism across cultures and traditions, a globe-spanning exploration of crystal balls and their otherworldly powers, an examination of the therapeutic value of certain gemstones, and an investigation of the "Planetary and Astral Influences of Precious Stones," among other chapter titles.
Whether "adorned with brilliant diamonds, fair pearls, warm, glowing rubies, or celestial-hued sapphires," it is certain that, as Kunz writes in his introduction, and as the epochs of gem lore contained within this masterwork by the famed jeweler surely attest: "The love of precious stones is deeply implanted in the human heart..."
9" X 6 3/4". xiv, 406pp. Bound in sapphire blue cloth over boards, ornamented in gilt and lettered in white to upper board and spine, with top edge gilt. Mild wear to binding, with rubbing and bumping to corners, crushing to head and tail of spine, and white-stamped title faded to blue at spine. Hinges tender, with archival adhesive reinforcement to shaken text block; binding remains sound. Scattered foxing and occasional toning from laid in newspaper clippings, else pages unmarked. Illustrated in 6 tissue-guarded color plates, 56 doubletone illustrations, and 24 linecut vignettes throughout.
Chapters include:
"Superstitions and Their Sources";
"On the Use of Precious and Semi-Precious Stones as Talismans and Amulets";
"On the Talismanic Use of Special Stones";
"On the Use of Engraved and Carved Gems as Talismans";
"On Ominous and Luminous Stones";
"On Crystal Balls and Crystal Gazing";
"Religious Uses of Precious Stones, Pagan, Hebrew, and Christian";
"On the High-Priest's Breastplate";
"Birth-Stones";
"Planetary and Astral Influences of Precious Stones";
"On the Therapeutic Use of Precious and Semi-Precious Stones"
Price: $475.00