(GEMS AND JEWELRY.) Tolkowsky, Marcel. Diamond Design. A Study of the Reflection and Refraction of Light in a Diamond. Folding plate and 36 text illustrations. [2], 104 pages, including half-title. 8vo, 182x125 mm, original blue cloth, gilt lettering slightly dulled, covers spotted, spine ends slightly frayed; endpapers browned with bookplates and owner's label on front pastedown (including bookplate of collector Henry Polissack) and owner's stamp on rear pastedown, contents otherwise clean. London & New York, 1919
rare first edition of the first systematic mathematical analysis of the optics of diamonds. "The real substance is in the third part [of the book] where Tolkowsky demonstrates light paths in rose-cut and brilliant-cut gems, and shows how only certain angles of facet inclination can insure production of maximum brilliance . . . a classic in lapidary work and now quite rare"--Sinkankas 6663. With little alteration, today's standards for "ideal cut" diamonds are based on Tolkowsky's book. No copy has come up for auction in 11 years.
