Samuel Chappuzeau

A finely bound, first edition in English copy of The History of Jewels.

• Samuel Chappuzeau (French).
• The History of Jewels, and of the Principal Riches of the East and West, taken from the relation of divers of the most famous travellers of our age. Attended with fair discoveries, conducing to the knowledge of the universe and trade.
• London: Printed by T.N. for Hobart Kemp, at the Sign of the Ship in the Upper Walk of the New Exchange, 1671.
• 128 pages.
• Bound in contemporary tree calf, spine gilt, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece, rebacked, edges stained red.

"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 a number of 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).

Job Lousley (ink inscription to front free endpaper and pastedown 'A rare and curious work and worth 5/0... Hampstead Norris Berks 1842').