Jansen, E. - Concepts about Diamond Science and Diamond Processing (1923)
Originally written in dutch, this momentous work titled "Concepts about diamond science and diamond processing", collected in volume by E. Jansen, the Director of the Vocational School for Diamond Workers, giving a complete view to the diamond science, diamond cutting, diamond processing, diamond industry and trade, the most important diamonds in the world and the most important diamond mines from the time. Contains over 400 b/w drawings in-text, 11 photographic plates, one sketch illustration, 3 maps and one folding sketch map.
The chapter "Diamond Mines" contains sections about the diamond findings in South Africa (with the sketch map of diamond mines and 4 photographic plates), South-West Africa, Belgian Congo (with the folding sketch map of the diamond beds in the Kasai region by P. Lancsweert), Brazil (with the sketch map of diamond fields) and India (with the sketch map of diamond fields).
The chapter "The Most Important Diamonds in the World" contains sections with descriptions and illustrations of The Regent Diamond (or Pitt Diamond), The Amsterdam Diamond, The Koh-i-Noor (or Mountain of Light), The Florentine Diamond (or the Grand Duke of Tuscany), The Sancy Diamond, The Hope Diamond, The Tiffany Yellow Diamond, The Star of the South (also known as 'Limar'), The Jubilee Diamond (originally known as the Reitz Diamond) and The Cullinan Diamond.
The book is consisted of four chapters:
- Diamond Science;
- Diamond Processing;
- Diamond Mines;
- The Most Important Diamonds in the World.
"An instructional manual designed to provide apprentices in the diamond cutting industry with a fund of information on the nature and properties of the diamond, details on all aspects of the cutting craft, and a general background in other matters concerning the diamond and the industry... At the time, this was the most complete instructional manual on diamond cutting available." (Gemology by J. Sinkankas, entry no. 3183.)
"Work awarded gold in the competition organized by the Province of Antwerp."
Printed in a small limited edition, this is an extremely rare copy of this precious work, hard to find even in National and University Libraries - and the only complete copy selling on internet.
"Begrippen over diamantkunde en diamantbewerking. In bundel verzameld door E. Jansen. Aalmoezenier van den Arbeid. Bestuurder der Vakschool voor Diamantbewerkers."; Antwerpen, Maatschappij "Voor God en 't Volk", 1923; First edition; Size of the book: 24,5 x 16 cm; Original publisher's grey cloth; Text in Dutch; Collation complete - Title page, 391 pages, with 400 b/w drawings in-text, 11 photographic plates, 3 maps and one folding sketch map; Binding is strong, tight and firm, with usual traces of shelf wear, little dusty and with some discoloration. Boards little bumped and wavy, spine rubbed and bumped to the extremities, corners crushed. Generally hinges are strong and secure, only rear hinge is little weak, but whole. Text block/pages clear and very bright, no marks throughout, little age tanning, some pages with fingerprints to margins and a few little brown spots to a few text pages. Overall a well preserved copy.