Gemology.- Nicols (Thomas) A Lapidary: Or, The History of Precious Stones..., first edition, issue with "Printer to the Universitie" in imprint, lacking initial blank and folding table, woodcut initials and head-pieces, contemporary ink inscription to head of first leaf of text and scribblings to verso of final leaf, browned and water-stained, hole to title, contemporary calf, rubbed, splits to joints, [Wing N1145], small 4to, Cambridge, by Thomas Buck, printer to the Universitie, 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.