Illustrated Jewelry Dictionary History Ancient Egypt Rome Greece Byzantium Gems

Description

"An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewellery" by Anita Mason and Diane Packer.
NOTE
:   We have 75,000 books in our library, almost 10,000 different titles.  Odds are we have other copies of this same title in varying conditions, some less expensive, some better condition.  We might also have different editions as well (some paperback, some hardcover, oftentimes international editions).  If you don’t see what you want, please contact us and ask.  We’re happy to send you a summary of the differing conditions and prices we may have for the same title.
DESCRIPTION:
Hardcover with dustjacket.  Publisher: Harper & Row (1974).  Pages: 390.  Size:  9½ x 6¾ x 1½ inches, 2½ pounds.
Alphabetically arranged and extensively cross-referenced, this useful book treats every aspect of jewelry making, included are entries on tools and techniques; precious and non-precious metals and gemstones; the history of jewelry from Ancient Egypt to the present day; and biographies of notable jewelers of the past. There is also a wealth of practical information and background on such topics as the folklore of gemstones and jewelry. Extensively illustrated with sharp ink drawings.
CONDITION
:  GOOD.  Unread (lightly browsed) hardcover with dustjacket. Harper & Row (1974) 390 pages. Book appears to have been never been read, the pages evidence only indications of having been flipped through a few times. Pages are clean, crisp, unmarked, unmutilated, tightly bound, the indications being that the book was never read (as in cover-to-cover). It looks like someone flipped through it once or twice, then put it away on a bookshelf unread. However there is a rusty paper clip stain to the front end paper (the underside of the front cover. Worse, the upper edge of the book seems to have come in contact with some sort of caustic liquid...I would guess bleach...as the very (top) edge of both the front and back covers are almost white (not green), and oxidized (the cloth fabric somewhat eaten away). No damaged to the pages themselves...just that the extreme top edge of the covers are somewhat damaged. The green cloth covers are otherwise clean. The dustjacket atop the cover is reasonably nice, evidencing modest edge and corner shelfwear, principally in the form of a 1/2 inch closed (neatly mended) edge tear along the bottom edge of the front side of the dustjacket, and a little bit of rubbing/chipping at the spine head. Given the cosmetic damage to the book's cover one could hardly consider the book a "shelf trophy", but otherwise it is a clean and almost unread (likely only blightly browsed) copy of this classic study of jewelry through the ages. A great reading copy at a budget price. Satisfaction unconditionally guaranteed. In stock, ready to ship. No disappointments, no excuses. PROMPT SHIPPING! HEAVILY PADDED, DAMAGE-FREE PACKAGING! Meticulous and accurate descriptions! Selling rare and out-of-print ancient history books on-line since 1997. We accept returns for any reason within 14 days! #8594b.
PLEASE SEE DESCRIPTIONS AND IMAGES BELOW FOR DETAILED REVIEWS AND FOR PAGES OF PICTURES FROM INSIDE OF BOOK.
PLEASE SEE PUBLISHER, PROFESSIONAL, AND READER REVIEWS BELOW.
PUBLISHER REVIEWS
:
REVIEW
:  A reference book dealing with all aspects of jewelry, including tools and techniques, types of jewelry, precious and non-precious metals and gemstones, the history of jewelry, and jewelers of the past.  It covers Western European jewelry from Greek and Roman times to the present day, although more space is devoted to jewelry from the seventeenth century onwards.  Brief surveys of other types of jewelry, for example Byzantine and Egyptian, are given where their styles or techniques are significant to the latter development of jewelry.
The 200 detailed drawings by Diane Packer add greatly to the attraction and usefulness of the book, and those which illustrate gems do so perhaps more accurately than photographs.  Although the main intention of the book is to provide a quick reference, it is at the same time comprehensive in scope and offers more than a mere dictionary of terms. For instance the entries on gemstones describe the physical characteristics of the stones, the forms in which they occur, and the way in which they are usually cut and set, and also summarizes their use in the past and the various superstitions which have gathered around them.
The entries on types of jewelry trace the development of each type from the beginning to the present day, or whenever it ceased to be worn, and describe its chief characteristics at each period. There is systematic cross-referencing throughout the book, to make it easier for even the amateur reader or occasional inquirer to find relevant information.
The book is intended primarily for those in the jewelry trade, providing a comprehensive work which so far has not been available. It will also appeal to students of art and design, and the increasing number of people who are making their own jewelry in evening classes and at home. Although it contains much technical information, it is written as far as possible in non-technical language and in a style which makes it a book to be read as well as consulted.
REVIEW
:  Diane Packer trained at Chelmsford Art School and after working for a period in a commercial art studio started her own workshop as a jeweler in London in 1958, producing fine silver jewelry for a range of shops in London and Paris. She also made costume jewelry for theatre and film productions. She now shares her time between London and Cornwall, designing and making jewelry for private clients, and teaching.
REVIEW
:  Anita Mason read English at Saint Hilda’s College, Oxford, from 1960 to 1963, and then worked for several years as editorial assistant in a technical publishing firm in London. Since then she has been engaged in editing and translation of specialist works in historical research.
REVIEW
:  Anita Mason was born in Bristol, England during the middle of WWII. She read English at Oxford, lived in London, and worked in the publishing field for five years. She then settled deep in the English countryside of Cornwall, where she began writing fiction, building on a base of non-fiction, magazine writing, and newspaper reporting. She is the author of six novels, the second of which, The Illusionist, was short-listed for the Booker Prize. She currently teaches writing at Bath Spa University College in Bath, England.
PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS
:
REVIEW
:  This meticulously researched book contains much more than definitions. For instance, the entries on individual gemstones describe the [physical characteristics of the stones, the forms in which they occur, the ways in which they are usually cut and set, their use past and present, and the various popular beliefs that have gathered around them.  The entries on types of jewelry trace the development of each type from the beginning to the present day, or whenever it ceased to be worn, and describes its chief characteristics in each period.
Prepared for jewelry makers, students of art and design, rockhounds and others interested in this important art form, “An Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry” is a book which the craftsman and student can consult with confidence and the layman browse through with pleasure.  Considered one of the “bibles” of the jewelry and gemological trades, this tome is enthusiastically recommended for both professional and interested layman.
READER REVIEWS
:
REVIEW
:  Good information with lots of details, for the novice and the pro! I really like how they give enough information on a subject.
REVIEW
:  An excellent, comprehensive, time-honored source of still relevant information pertaining to both contemporary as well as historical information pertaining to the jewelry trade and gemology.
I always ship books Media Mail in a padded mailer.  This book is shipped
FOR FREE
via USPS
INSURED
media mail (“book rate”).  All domestic shipments and most international shipments will
include
free USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the
USPS Web Site
) and free insurance coverage.  A small percentage of international shipments may require an additional fee for tracking and/or delivery confirmation.  If you are concerned about a little wear and tear to the book in transit, I would suggest a boxed shipment - it is an extra .00.  Whether via padded mailer or box, we will give discounts for multiple purchases. International orders are welcome, but shipping costs are substantially higher.
Most international orders cost an additional .99 to .99 for an
insured
shipment in a heavily padded mailer, and typically
includes
some form of rudimentary tracking and/or delivery confirmation (though for some countries, this is only available at additional cost). There is also a discount program which can cut postage costs by 50% to 75% if you’re buying about half-a-dozen books or more (5 kilos+).  Rates and available services vary a bit from country to country.  You can email or message me for a shipping cost quote, but I assure you they are as reasonable as USPS rates allow, and if it turns out the rate is too high for your pocketbook, we will cancel the sale at your request.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASES
do receive a
VERY LARGE
discount, typically about per book (for each additional book after the first) so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs.  Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment.  We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers.
All of our shipments are sent via insured mail so as to comply with PayPal requirements.  We do NOT recommend uninsured shipments, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the loss of an uninsured shipment.  Unfortunately the contents of parcels are easily “lost” or misdelivered by postal employees – even in the USA.  That’s why all of our domestic shipments (and most international) shipments
include
a USPS delivery confirmation tag; or are trackable or traceable, and all shipments (international and domestic) are insured.  We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex).  Please ask for a rate quotation.  We will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with.  If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked return policy.  Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price (less our original shipping costs).
Most of the items I offer come from the collection of a family friend who was active in the field of Archaeology for over forty years.  However many of the items also come from purchases I make in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) from various institutions and dealers.  Though I have always had an interest in archaeology, my own academic background was in sociology and cultural anthropology.  After my retirement however, I found myself drawn to archaeology as well.  Aside from my own personal collection, I have made extensive and frequent additions of my own via purchases on Ebay (of course), as well as many purchases from both dealers and institutions throughout the world - but especially in the Near East and in Eastern Europe.  I spend over half of my year out of the United States, and have spent much of my life either in India or Eastern Europe.  In fact much of what we generate on Yahoo, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe connected with Anthropology and Archaeology.
I acquire some small but interesting collections overseas from time-to-time, and have as well some duplicate items within my own collection which I occasionally decide to part with.  Though I have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, my primary interest is in ancient jewelry.  My wife also is an active participant in the "business" of antique and ancient jewelry, and is from Russia.  I would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me.  There is a fee for mailing under separate cover.  Whenever I am overseas I have made arrangements for purchases to be shipped out via domestic mail.  If I am in the field, you may have to wait for a week or two for a COA to arrive via international air mail.  But you can be sure your purchase will arrive properly packaged and promptly - even if I am absent.  And when I am in a remote field location with merely a notebook computer, at times I am not able to access my email for a day or two, so be patient, I will always respond to every email.  Please see our
"ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE."
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