corundum, ruby, sapphire, history.1, quality, gems, glyptic, engraved gems, collection, comparanda, catalogue, jade cameo

Sinkankas: As in the first edition, the history chapter (pp. 1–133) is the lengthiest. It is followed by sections on famous rings and signets, cabinets of gems, descriptions of plates, and the catalog of artists. There are many changes and additions: the poem of Christodorus is omitted; the plates are entirely new, although in most cases the same gems are illustrated, now classified as Assyrian, Parthian, Sassanian, Indo-Sassanian, Sassanian-Christian, Egyptian, Gnostic, Christian, Phoenician, Etruscan, Greek, etc., with plates illustrating the Apotheosis of Augustus cameo and several other very large cameos, as well as Roman, Medieval, and Renaissance gems. Among the plates are a cameo of jade from Mexico and the “Emerald Vernicle,” or representation of Christ. Another issue differed in omitting the folding frontispiece and substituting the plate formerly tipped in to face p. [1]; the text description, however, was not altered, and the plate itself still bears the note stating that it is to face that page. As usual, both versions appear most commonly in poor condition.