Rare Opals, Percy Marks, 5 Hunter St. Sydney, Australia; advertising booklet for Australian opals.
Sydney: Ca. 1915. Percy Marks (1879 - 1935) was a highly talented jewelry designer known for being the driving force behind making the opal Australia's signature stone. Marks especially promoted the dark opal (with blue, green, black or gray body color) and presented them to celebrities, including Nellie Melba, whose name appears on the list of distinguished patronage, along with notable royals. Most attractive Art Deco inspired cover illustration, with color and b&w photographic illustrations & text related to information about opals, the rare black opal, mining for black opal, opal dealing, black opal "beggars description", care in lapidary work, Panama Pacific Exposition 1915, and a list of distinguished patrons. Attractive cream illustrated card covers decorated in blue, illustrating a young Greek goddess inspired female figure in flowing robes, tied with silk cord. The title page reads "Vice-Regal Jeweller Lapidary, Dealer in Precious Stones". Small 8vo, 16pp. Covers slightly marked, one sml chip at upper left, center fold impression, otherwise clean and bright. Trove 4285983. Very good condition. Item #25008
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