RUEUS, Franc. (François de LA RUE) De Gemmis... Editio secunda. - Tiguri (Zürich), (Gesner), 1566
12mo. Recently rebound in old vellum, leather label on spine. Printer's device on title. (2), 85 (recte 86) ff.; small repair in upper blank margin of last six leaves, and light uniform toning of the paper.
This «interesting book» (Adams) on precious stones is an important early source for the history and development of the geological sciences. The author, a Flemish physician and naturalist (born in Lille, † 1585), «endeavors by ingenious explanation of the sacred text to reconcile the theories of instantaneous creation and of development...» (Adams, Development of Geolog. Sciences, p.306). Among the 26 precious stones and minerals discussed is also the magnet. First published in Paris, 1547, our edition is much rarer and, although an absolutely indipendent publication, forms sometimes part of Conrad Gessner's collection of eight works, united under the collective title De rerum fossilium... Hoover Coll. 508 (1st edn. of 1547). Ward & Carozzi 1332. Mottelay, Electricity and Magnetism, p.538. Ferguson II, 302. Sinkankas, Gemology, 5627.
Euro2700
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