Greek Gems and Finger Rings: Early Bronze Age to Late Classical, 1972, HC, Very Good

Boardman, John. New York. Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers. 1972.

English, First US Edition, Very Good, HC, Folio, 9 ½” x 12 ¼,” 458 pp.

Blue woven cloth over boards, gilt stamped titling to spine, in publisher’s dust jacket featuring four full-color images of Greek art to front, black text to front, white text to grey spine, black text to inside flaps. Mild edgewear, mild sunning to top edge, mild age toning, otherwise clean throughout and excellent. In a Good dust jacket now protected in a Mylar sleeve. Tear to front top edge near spine has been taped, tear to back top corner has been taped, chipping to top of spine, minor soiling to back, mild edgewear, mild sunning, minor soiling to inside front flap, mild shelfwear, mild pressure indentations, otherwise excellent. 458 pp. Replete with 1385 illustrations, including 51 full-color. Text by John Boardman and photographs by Robert L. Wilkins. Told in eight chapters: Minoans and Mycenaeans, The Geometric and Early Archaic Periods, Archaic Gems and Finger Rings, Classical Gems and Finger Rings, Greeks and Persians, Hellenistic Greece and Rome, and Materials and Techniques (from the Contents). Boardman delves into the historical context of the different periods as well as the mythological context behind the engraved works. From the dust jacket: “The attributions and discussion are supported by full notes and lists; and the plates…present the fullest possible range of devices and styles from all periods. This will become an essential work of reference…as well as being a thorough survey of the subject for all lovers of Greek art.”