Wilde, Jacobi De; Gemmae Selectae Antiquae e Museo Jacobi De Wilde, Sive L. Tabulae...Carminibus Illustratae. Amsterdam, 1703. Quarto, pp. 8, 177, 7, 2 engraved frontispieces (one a portrait of Wilde, 50 engraved plates with four to six pictures of gems per plate.

The book is complete and in a contemporary calf binding with gilt spine titles and gilt seal or crest on front and rear covers. Old ownership signature penned on front paste down and later book plate above it. The plates and text are exceptionally clean. A very good copy of a rare work on gems.
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(Sinkankas #7205). Jacob De Wilde (1645-1745) prepared this catalog to publicize his extensive collection of engraved gems. Most plates show four to six gems surrounding a figure taken from classical mythology. The gems are each framed in a wreath showing the name of the gem and Wilde's catalog number. The catalogue contains only a choice selection of engraved antique gems from Wilde's famous Cabinet of ancient medals and gems which includes an exceptional number of abraxas pieces. De Wilde described the gems himself, quoting and referring to the classical authors mentioning them. The plates were beautifully engraved by Adiaan Schoonebeek (ca.1658-1714), who taught Czar Peter the art of engraving and went in 1697-1698 to Russia to work for the Russian Czar.