The Great Diamonds Of The World, Edwin W. Streeter, 1882

THE GREAT DIAMONDS OF THE WORLD.
Their History And Romance.

Collected from official, private and other sources, during many years of correspondence and inquiry.

By Edwin W. Streeter, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society; Author of "Precious Stones and Gems;" Gold Medallist of the Royal Order of Frederic; Holder of a Special Gold Medal from H. M. the King of the Belgians.

The MS. of the "Koh-I-Nur" graciously read and approved by Her Majesty The Queen.

The accounts of the "Pitt" and the "Eugenie" revised by Her Majesty The Empress Eugenie.

Edited and annotated by Joseph Hatton and A. H. Keane.

Published by George Bell & Sons, York Street, Covent Garden, London.

Second Edition, printed 1882.

The Great Diamonds of the World: Their History and Romance is considered Streeter's most important contribution to the literature of famous stones. The book celebrates the very best diamonds of history — the Koh-i-Noor, the Regent, the Sancy, the Hope, and many others — combining historical accounts, provenance narratives, and physical descriptions. This work was considered the most comprehensive English-language treatment of its time, bringing together sources that were not easily accessible to the general reader. Streeter recorded dimensions, weights, reputed origins, and ownership chains as they were understood in 1882, providing a baseline against which later research can be measured. Historians of famous diamonds regularly cite Streeter as a primary Victorian source. However some of his historical attributions have since been revised in light of archival research. Streeter was working before the systematic archival methods of twentieth-century gem history had been developed.

The book measures approximately 16cm x 23cm, 3cm thick.

CONDITION:
Original publishers green cloth binding, bevelled edges. Blind stamped decoration matching on both boards. Gilt title on spine remains bright. A few light surface marks, boards edges shelf worn/rubbed, corners bumped. Head and tail edge of spine rubbed and crumpled. Hinges/joints holding well, no splitting. Dark turquoise end pages and paste downs in good condition, front end paper has small patch of sticky sticker residue. Text block age toned/yellowed throughout. Some occasional foxing. Page edges a little rough cut, end of preface and beginning of contents left uncut and joined along top edge. Page edges foxed. Overall text block binding good, firm with no loose or missing pages. List of Authors works along with opinions of the press at the rear. No previous owner inscriptions, highlighting or notes. Please view all listing photographs for the best understanding of condition.

Overall the book remains in good reading condition, with usual signs of age, use and wear. A much respected body of work from the expert on Diamonds.

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