This illustrated volume was published in 1908.
Excerpt from the Introduction:
The preparation of this book has been a joint labor during the spare moments of the two authors, whose time has been occupied with subjects to which pearls are not wholly foreign — one as a gem expert, and the other in the fisheries branch of the American government. But for the views and expressions contained herein, they alone are personally responsible, and do not represent or speak for any interest whatever. For many years the writers have collected data on the subject of pearls, and have accumulated all the obtainable literature, not only the easily procurable books, but likewise manuscripts, copies of rare volumes, original edicts, and legislative enactments, thousands
of newspaper clippings, and interesting illustrations, many of them unique, making probably the largest single collection of data in existence on this particular subject. It was deemed advisable to present the results of these studies and observations in one harmonious volume, rather than in two different publications. This publication is not a pioneer in an untrodden field. As may be seen from the appended bibliography, during the last two thousand years hundreds of persons have discussed pearls — mystically, historically, poetically, and learnedly.
Contents:
- I. Pearls among the Ancients
- II. Medieval and Modern History of Pearls
- III. Origin of Pearls
- IV. Structure and Forms of Pearls
- V. Sources of Pearls
- VI. The Pearl Fisheries of the Persian Gulf
- VII. East African Pearl Fisheries
- VIII. Pearl Fisheries of the British Isles
- IX. Pearl Fisheries of the South Sea Islands
- X. Pearl Fisheries of Venezuela
- XI. Pearl-Culture and Pearl-Farming
- XII. Mystical and Medicinal Properties of Pearls
- XIII. Values and Commerce of Pearls
- XIV. Treatment and Care of Pearls
- XV. Pearls as Used in Ornaments and Decoration
- XVI. Famous Pearls and Collections
- XVII. The Aboriginal Use of Pearls, and Their Discovery
in Mounds and Graves
--This text refers to the
Kindle Edition
edition.
Excerpt from the Introduction:
The preparation of this book has been a joint labor during the spare moments of the two authors, whose time has been occupied with subjects to which pearls are not wholly foreign — one as a gem expert, and the other in the fisheries branch of the American government. But for the views and expressions contained herein, they alone are personally responsible, and do not represent or speak for any interest whatever. For many years the writers have collected data on the subject of pearls, and have accumulated all the obtainable literature, not only the easily procurable books, but likewise manuscripts, copies of rare volumes, original edicts, and legislative enactments, thousands
of newspaper clippings, and interesting illustrations, many of them unique, making probably the largest single collection of data in existence on this particular subject. It was deemed advisable to present the results of these studies and observations in one harmonious volume, rather than in two different publications. This publication is not a pioneer in an untrodden field. As may be seen from the appended bibliography, during the last two thousand years hundreds of persons have discussed pearls — mystically, historically, poetically, and learnedly.
Contents:
- I. Pearls among the Ancients
- II. Medieval and Modern History of Pearls
- III. Origin of Pearls
- IV. Structure and Forms of Pearls
- V. Sources of Pearls
- VI. The Pearl Fisheries of the Persian Gulf
- VII. East African Pearl Fisheries
- VIII. Pearl Fisheries of the British Isles
- IX. Pearl Fisheries of the South Sea Islands
- X. Pearl Fisheries of Venezuela
- XI. Pearl-Culture and Pearl-Farming
- XII. Mystical and Medicinal Properties of Pearls
- XIII. Values and Commerce of Pearls
- XIV. Treatment and Care of Pearls
- XV. Pearls as Used in Ornaments and Decoration
- XVI. Famous Pearls and Collections
- XVII. The Aboriginal Use of Pearls, and Their Discovery
in Mounds and Graves
