Gemology.- Nicols (Thomas) A Lapidary: or, The History of Pretious Stones: With cautions for the undeceiving of all those that deal with Pretious Stones, first edition, folding table (a few tape repairs to verso), woodcut initials and head-pieces, lacking initial blank, last few ff. lightly foxed, the odd spot or small stain, some water-staining, bookplates, cracking to hinges but firm, later half-calf, spine repaired, some bumping, rubbed, [ESTC R3332; Wing N1145], small 4to, Cambridge, by Thomas Buck, to the Universitie of Cambridge, 1652.

⁂ The first book written in English on gemstones. Nicols begins with a general study of precious stones, discussing their origin, history, physical properties, methods of polishing, types of settings, real and imitation stones, and supernatural properties. He then devotes one chapter to each of more than 60 individual gems.

Provenance: Bookplate red calf and gilt of F.B. Lorch. Bookplate of Henry and Carol Faul. Carol Faul was an established geologist, and was the only woman elected to the Council of the Geological Society of America in 1962. She advocated for more physical accessibility in the field of geology.