SHAKESPEARE AND PRECIOUS STONES By GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ, Ph.D., A.M., D.Sc.

THE CURIOUS LORE OF PRECIOUS STONES

Being a description of their sentiments and folklore, superstitions, symbolism, mysticism, use in protection, prevention, religion and divination, crystal gazing, birth-stones, lucky stones and talismans, astral, zodiacal, and planetary.

THE MAGIC OF JEWELS AND CHARMS

Magic jewels and electric gems; meteorites or celestial stones; stones of healing; fabulous stones, concretions and fossils; snake stones and bezoars; charms of ancient and modern times; facts and fancies about precious stones.

SHAKESPEARE AND PRECIOUS STONES

Treating of the known references to precious stones in Shakespeare's works, with comments as to the origin of his material, the knowledge of the poet concerning precious stones, and references as to where the precious stones of his time came from.

Published according to the True Originall Copies

LONDON

Printed by Isaac Laggard, and Ed. Blount. 1623.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Engraved by Martin Droeshout for the First Folio of 1623, wherein the plays were first assembled.
Reproduced from a copy of this Folio owned by the New York Public Library.
The original measures 7-1/2 x 13 in., or 20 x 33 cm.

SHAKESPEARE

and

PRECIOUS STONES

TREATING OF

The Known References of Precious Stones in Shakespeare's Works, with Comments as to the Origin of his Material, the Knowledge of the Poet Concerning Precious Stones, and References as to Where the Precious Stones of his Time came from

The Author

GEORGE FREDERICK KUNZ

PH.D., Sc.D., A.M.

Honorary President of the Shakespeare Garden Committee of New York City; Vice President of the Permanent Shakespeare Birthday Committee of the City of New York; Member of the Executive Committee of the New York City Tercentenary Celebration; Member of the Mayor's Shakespeare Celebration Committee of New York.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS

PHILADELPHIA & LONDON

IMPRINTED BY

J.B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
At the Washington Square Press
Upon the TERCENTENARY of Shakespeare

1916

PUBLISHED JULY, 1916

TO RUBY,
MY DAUGHTER,
WHOSE MOTHER, SOPHIA HANDFORTH ,
WAS BORN IN THE LAND OF
SHAKESPEARE,

AND

TO RUBY'S DAUGHTER,
GRETEL,
(THE PEARL),

THIS VOLUME IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED

FOREWORD

As no writer has made a more beautiful and telling use of precious stones in his verse than did Shakespeare, the author believed that if these references could be gathered together for comparison and for quotation, and if this were done from authentic and early editions of the great dramatist-poet's works, it would give the literary and historical student a better understanding as to what gems were used in Shakespeare's time, and in what terms he referred to them. This has been done here, and comparisons are made with the precious stones of the present time, showing what mines were known and gems were worn in Shakespeare's day, and also something of those that were not known then, but are known at this time.

The reader is also provided with a few important data serving to show what could have been the sources of the poet's knowledge regarding precious stones and whence were derived those which he may have seen or of which he may have heard. As in this period the beauty of a jewel depended as much, or more, upon the elaborate setting as upon the purity and brilliancy of the gems, the author has given some information regarding the leading goldsmith-jewellers, both English and French, of Shakespeare's age. Thus the reader will find, besides the very full references to the poet's words and clear directions as to where all the passages can be located in the First Folio of 1623, much material that will stimulate an interest in the subject and promote further independent research.

The author wishes to express his thanks to Dr. Appleton Morgan, President of the Shakespeare Society of New York; Miss H.C. Bartlett, the Shakespearean bibliophile; the New York Public Library and H.M. Leydenberg, assistant there; Gardner C. Teall; Frederic W. Erb, assistant librarian of Columbia University; the Council of the Grolier Club, Miss Ruth S. Granniss, librarian of the Club, and Vechten Waring, all of New York City.

G.F.K.

NEW YORK April, 1916

CONTENTS

• PAGE
  
• 
  SHAKESPEARE AND PRECIOUS STONES 15
• 
  PRECIOUS STONES MENTIONED IN THE PLAYS OF SHAKESPEARE 73
• 
  PRECIOUS STONES MENTIONED IN THE POEMS OF SHAKESPEARE 93

ILLUSTRATIONS

• PAGE
  
• 
  WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ENGRAVED BY MARTIN DROESHOUT) Frontispiece
  
• 
  FIVE OF THE SIX AUTHENTIC SHAKESPEARE SIGNATURES 45
  
• 
  DIAMOND CUTTER'S SHOP, EIGHTEENTH CENTURY 59
  
  
• 
  FROM A PORTRAIT OF QUEEN ELIZABETH