DUTENS (Louis): Des pierres précieuses et des pierres fines, - Lot 155

DUTENS (Louis): Des pierres précieuses et des pierres fines, avec les moyens de les connoître et de les évaluer. Paris, F.-A. Didot & De Bure aîné, 1776. One volume. 7.3 by 12.5 cm. (4)-XII-124-(4) pages. Contemporary full marbled calf, ornate smooth spine, red title-piece, triple gilt filleting of boards, filleting over boards. One bit split, the other rubbed, with no effect on the solidity of the work, small loss to the title page. Good condition inside. First edition of this rare and sought-after gemmological treatise. "John Sinkankas, author of a reference bibliography on gemmology, never consulted it". Also sought-after for its typography. "It is the first work to come out of the presses of M. Didot l'aîné, in which we have seen that superiority of talent which immediately set him above all his colleagues in France, Italy, Germany and Holland...". A book as precious as what it describes...