BLUM, Johann Reinhard.
(1802 – 1883)
Blum was professor of mineralogy at the University of Heidelberg becoming professor emeritus in 1877. He was also for many years the director of the University's mineral collection.
Biographical references: ADB: 47, 22. • American Journal of Science: 3rd Series, 126 (1883), 332. • Barr, Index to Biographical Fragments, 1973: 26. • DBA: I 109, 430-433; II 137, 176-178. • Johannsen, Descriptive Petrography, 1939: 4, 100, portrait. • Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paläontologie: Jg. 1883, 2, 1-8. • Poggendorff: 1, col. 214 & 3, 145-6. • Sarjeant, Geologists, 1980: 2, 572. • WBI.
1. German, 1828.
Die | Schmuck-Steine | Und Derfn [!] | Bearbeitung. | [double rule] | Inaugural-Abhandlung | von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum, | [...2 lines of titles and memberships...] | [double rule] | Heidelberg, | Bei J.C.B. Mohr. | [rule] | 1828.
8°: [1]-72 p., 4 plates. Page size: 214 x 130 mm.
Rare. The author's first important work showing a careful analysis of the lapidary knowledge of his time much of it gathered through personal experience after researching the topic for several years. The history of the gemstones Blum describes is given together with numerous footnote citations. He includes descriptions of the apparatus used to fashion the rough into sparkling gems.
Bibliographical references: BMC: 2, 178. • Sinkankas, Gemology Bibliography, 1993: no. 713.
2. German, 1832 [First edition].
Taschenbuch | der | Edelsteinkunde | für | Mineralogen, | Techniker, Künstler und Liebhaber | der Edelsteine; | bearbeitet | von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum. | [... 5 lines of titles and memberships ...] | [tapered rule] | Stuttgart, | bei Carl Hoffmann. | 1832.
8°: xvi, 356 p., 6 lithographic plates (folding).
Very scarce. Using his Die Schmuck-Steine und deren Bearbeitung (Heidelberg, 1828) as a foundation, Blum wrote this popular pocketbook of gemstones from a mineralogical standpoint. Taking advantage of recent discoveries in optical properties and other physical properties those mineral species that are deemed to be gemstones are fully and described. The first section of the book provides an overview of the properties and the determinative tests used to identify gemstones. Blum then gives a discussion of the lapidary art. The remainder and largest section of the book describes individual gemstone mineral species, giving synonyms, properties, occurrences, methods of lapidary treatment, etc. Blum's work was popular with three editions appearing.
Bibliographical references: NUC. • Sinkankas, Gemology Bibliography, 1993: no. 714.
3. German, 1834 [2nd edition].
Taschenbuch | der | Edelsteinkunde | für | Mineralogen, | Techniker, Künstler und Liebhaber | der Edelsteine; | bearbeitet | von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum. | [... 5 lines of titles and memberships ...] | Zweite Auflage. | [rule] | Stuttgart, | Julius Weise. | 1834.
8°: xvi, 356 p., 6 lithographic plates (folding). Essentially a reprint of the first edition. Very scarce.
Bibliographical references: NUC. • Sinkankas, Gemology Bibliography, 1993: no. 715.
4. German, 1887 [3rd edition].
Taschenbuch | der | Edelsteinkunde | für | Mineralogen, Techniker und Juweliere | bearbeitet | von | Dr. J.Reinhard Blum, | [...2 lines of titles and memberships...] | Dritte verbesserte Auflage. | [ornament] | Mit in den Text gedruckten Holzschnitten und sechs Steindrucktafeln. | [ornate rule] | Leipzig, | Verlagsbuchhandlung von Carl Wilfferodt. | 1887.
8°: x, 341 p., 6 plates.
Very scarce. A revised edition, containing information on the crystallography, physical, optical and chemical properties of gemstones. As in the earlier editions, Blum includes information on gemstone history, occurances, nomenclature, lapidary treatment, etc., but now also includes notes on gemstone synthesis, imitation stones and inclusions. Sinkankas notes that this book was succeeded by Wilhelm Rau's Edelsteinkunde (1st ed., Leipzig, 1907; 6th ed., Leipzig, 1937).
Bibliographical references: BMC: 2, 178} [wanting]. • Sinkankas, Gemology Bibliography, 1993: no. 716.
5. German, 1832 [First edition, issue A].
Lehrbuch | der | Oryktognosie | von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum, | Privat-Docent der Mineralogie an der Universität zu Heidelberg. | [ornate rule] | [double rule] | Stuttgart. | E. Schweizerbart's Verlagshandlung. | 1832.
8°: [1]-486, [2] p. Published as volume two of the series, Naturgeschichte der drei Reiche by G.W. Bischoff & others. Page size: 208 x 128 mm.
Contents: [1-2], Title page, verso blank.; [3]-[4], "Vorwort," signed R. Blum, August 1833.; [5]-464, Text.; [465]-468, "Uebersicht | der | Mineralien nach ihren Kernformen."; [469]-486, "Inhält."; [2 pgs], Publisher's list.
Very scarce. This is the first appearance of Blum's popular textbook of mineralogy, which would go through four editions to 1874. Typical information about mineralogical subjects is covered in a well written style, that no doubt helped to introduce a complex subject to many students. Although some theoretical material is covered, Blum concentrates on the practical aspects of the science, deriving his text from Kobell's Charakteristik der Mineralien, Naumann's Mineralogie and Leonhard's {Oryktognosie}. For more detailed information, Blum refers the reader to one of the more advanced textbooks.
Bibliographical references: BMC: 2, 178.
6. German, 1833 [First edition, issue B].
Lehrbuch | der | Oryktognosie | von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum, | Privat=Docent der Mineralogie an der Universität zu Heidelberg. | [ornate rule] | [double rule] | Stuttgart. | E. Schweizerbart's Verlagshandlung. | 1833.
Naturgeschichte | der | drei Reiche. | Zur | allgemeinen Belehrung | bearbeitet | von | G.W. Bischoff, J.R. Blum, H.S. Bronn, K.C. v. Leonhard, F.S. Leuckart udn F.S. Voigt. | [rule] | Mit Abbildungen. | [rule] | Zweiter Band. | Oryktognosie. | [double rule] | Stuttgart. | E. Schweizerbart's Verlagshandlung. | 1833.
8°: [2], 509 p., text illus.
Contents: [2 pgs], Blank, verso series title page.; [1-2], Title page, verso blank.; [3]-[4], "Vorwort," signed R. Blum, August 1833.; [5]-464, Text.; [465]-468, "Uebersicht | der | Mineralien nach ihren Kernformen."; [469]-486, "Inhalt."; [487]-509, "Alphabetisches Register."; [1 pg], Blank.; [2 pgs], Publisher's list.
Very scarce. Identical to the 1832 issue, but with a new year on the title page and the addition of an alphabetical index appended at the end.
Bibliographical references: BMC: 2, 178. • Dana's 7th (Bibliography): 66.
7. German, 1845 [2nd edition].
Lehrbuch | der | Oryktognosie | von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum, | anßerordentlicher Professor an der Universität zu Heidelberg und mehrerer gelehrten | Gesellschaften Mitgliede. | Mit 300 krystallographischen Figuren. | Zweite,vermehrte und vergesserte Auflage. | Stuttgart. | E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagshandlung. | 1845.
8°: xxii, 706 p., 300 illus. Very scarce.
Bibliographical references: Dana's 7th (Bibliography): 66.
8. German, 1854 [3rd edition].
Lehrbuch | der | Oryktognosie | von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum, | Professor in Heidelberg. | Mit 333 krystallographischen Figuren. | [rule] | Dritte, vermehrte und verbesserte Auflage. | [rule] | Stuttgart. | E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagshandlung und Druckerei. | 1854.
8°: [i]-xviii, [1]-673, [1] p. Page size: 214 x 136 mm. Very scarce.
Contents: [i-ii], Blank, verso series title page.; [iii-iv], Title page, verso blank.; [v]-vii, "Vorwort zur ersten Auflage (-Vorwort zur dritten Auflage)."; [viii], Blank.; [ix]-xviii, "Inhalt."; [1]-644, Text.; [645]-650, "Uebersicht | der | Mineralien nach ihren Grundgefalten."; [651]-673, "Alphabetisches Register."; [1 pg], "Verbesserungen."
Bibliographical references: Dana's 7th (Bibliography): 66. • Roller & Goodman, Catalogue, 1976: 1, 124.
9. German, 1874 [4th edition].
Lehrbuch | der | Mineralogie | (Oryktognosie) | | von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum, | Hofrath und Professor in Heidelberg. | Mit 457 krystallographischen Figuren. | [rule] | Vierte verbesserte und vermehrte Auflage. | [ornate rule] | Stuttgart. | E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagshandlung (E. Koch). | 1874.
8°: [i]-xv, [1], [1]-642, [2] p., 457 text illus. Page size: 220 x 140 mm.
Contents: [i-ii], Title page, verso blank.; [iii]-vi, "Vorwort zur ersten [-vierten] Auflage."; [vii]-xv, "Inhalt."; [1 pg], Blank.; [1]-624, Text.; [625]-629, "Uebersicht | der wichtigsten Mineralien nach den Systemen, in welchen sie | Krystallisiren."; [630]-642, "Alphabetisches Register."; [1 pg], "Druckfehler und Verbesserungen."; [1 pg], Blank.
Very scarce. Another edition of Lehrbuch der Oryktognosie with a slightly different title.
Bibliographical references: NUC.
10. German, 1840.
Lithurgik | oder | Mineralien und Felsarten | nach ihrer | Anwendung in ökonomischer, artifischer und technischer | Hinsicht systematisch abgehandelt | von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum, | [... 6 lines of titles and memberships ... ] | [rule] | Mit 53 in den Text eingedruckten Figuren und 3 Stahlstichen. | [ornate rule] | Stuttgart. | E. Schweizerbart's Verlagshandlung. | 1840.
8°: [i]-vi, [1]-501, [1] p., 3 folding plates, 53 text illus.
Contents: [i-ii], Blank, verso series title page.; [iii-iv], Title page, verso blank.; [v]-vi, "Vorwort."-signed R. Blum, December 1839.; [1]-464, Text.; [465]-479, "Inhalt."; [480], "Verbesserungen."; [481]-501, "Alphabetisches Register."; [1 pg], Blank.; [At end], 3 plates.
Very scarce. A detailed economic mineralogy which covers the use of minerals and mineral products in the arts and manufacture are treated. Included is much technical information on drilling blasting, quarrying, mining, gem cutting, pigment preparation, refining, etc. There is a section on ornamental and precious stones that figures famous diamonds. Bibliographical references are included at the end of each major section.
The plates consist of I. Strossenbau/ Firstenbau. II. Architectural columns. III. Egyptian obelisks.
Bibliographical references: BMC: 2, 178. • Sinkankas, Gemology Bibliography, 1993: no. 717.
11. German, 1843.
Die | Pseudomorphosen | des | Mineralreichs | von Dr. J. Reinhard Blum. | [...8 lines of titles and memberships...] | [rule] | Stuttgart. | E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagshandlung. | 1843.
8°: [i]-x, [1]-378 p. Page size: 200 x 120 mm.
Contents: [i-ii], Title page, verso blank.; [iii]-iv, "Vorwort"-signed R. Blum, March 1843.; [v]-x, "Inhalt."; [1]-11, "Einleitung."; [12]-219, "Erste Abteilung. | Umwandlungs-Pseudomorphosen."; [220]-319, "Zweite Abteilung. | Verdrängungs-Pseudomorphosen."; 320-331, "I. Umwandlungs-Pseudomorphosen."; 332-339, "II. Verdrängungs-Pseudomorphosen."; 340-374, "Rückblick."; [375]-377, "Register."; 378, "Verbesserungen."
Rare. The classic, fundamental work on pseudomorphs that has never been surpassed. The book begins with a review of previous research, discussion of the same, and the author's reasons for dividing pseudomorphs into the two broad classes of alteration pseudos and replacement pseudos. In detailed descriptions of 263 known pseudomorphs, Blum provides a thorough discussion of previous research, rich references, and locality information. Through this work, Blum was among the first to show the importance of chemistry in several pseudomorphic processes, especially in the replacement process, which was later shown to be one of the principle processes involved in forming economic ore deposits. This basic text was maintained and heavily augmented over the next 36 years by four additional supplements. See below for their descriptions.
Bibliographical references: American Journal of Science: 48 (1845), no. 1, 66-80 [by J.D. Dana]. • BMC: 2, 178. • Dana's 7th (Bibliography): 66. • Fischer, Gesteins- und Lagerstättenbildung, 1961: 231-2. • Hazen & Hazen, American Geological Literature, 1980: nos. 1737, 1738 & 2816. • Kobell, Geschichte der Mineralogie, 1864: 292-3. • NUC. • Roller & Goodman, Catalogue, 1976: 1, 124.
12. German, 1847 [ Supplement 1].
Nachtrag | Zu Den | Pseudomorphosen | Des | Mineralreichs | Nebst Einem Anhange | Über Die | Versteinerungs- Und Vererzungs-Mittel | Organischer Körper | Von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum, | [...2 lines of titles and memberships...] | Stuttgart. | E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagshandlung. | 1847.
8°: [i]-viii, [1]-213, [1] p. Page size: 200 x 120 mm. Very scarce.
Contents: [i-ii], Title page, verso blank.; [iii]-iv, "Vorwort."-signed J.R. Blum, April 1847.; [v]-viii, "Inhalt."; [1]-151, Text.; [152]-213, "Anhang. | Die organischen Formen im Mineralreiche oder | die Versteinerungs- und Vererzungs-Mittel von | organischen Körpern."; [1 pg], Advertisements of other mineralogical books.
Bibliographical references: NUC.
13. German, 1852 [Supplement 2].
Zweiter Nachtrag | zu den | Pseudomorphosen | des | Mineralreichs. | Von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum, | Professor in Heidelberg. | [ornament] | Heidelberg. | Druck und Verlag von Julius Groos. | 1852.
8°: [i]-xii, [1]-140 p. Page size: 200 x 120 mm. Very scarce.
Contents: [i-ii], Title page, verso blank.; [iii]-iv, "Vorwort."-signed J.R. Blum, July 1852.; [v]-xii, "Inhalt."; [1]-140, Text.
Bibliographical references: NUC.
14. German, 1863 [Supplement 3].
Dritter Nachtrag | zu den | Pseudomorphosen | des | Mineralreichs. | Von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum. | [ornate rule] | Erlangen. | Verlag von Ferdinand Enke. | 1863.
8°: [i]-xiv, [1]-294 p. Page size: 200 x 120 mm. Very scarce.
Contents: [i-ii], Title page, verso "Druck der A.E. Junge'schen Universitäts-Buchdruckerei (E.Th. Jacob)."; [iii]-iv, "Vorwort."-signed J.R. Blum, March 1863.; [v]-xiv, "Inhalt."; [1]-288, Text.; [289]-294, "Register."
Bibliographical references: NUC.
15. German, 1879 [Supplement 4].
Die | Pseudomorphosen | Des | Mineralreichs. | [rule] | Vierter Nachtrag. | [rule] | Von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum. | [ornate rule] | Heidelberg. | Carl Winter's Universitätsbuchhandlung. | 1879.
8°: [i]-xx, [1]-212 p. Page size: 200 x 120 mm.
Contents: [i-ii], Half title page, "Die | Pseudomorphosen Des Mineralreichs. | [rule] | Vierter Nachtrag."; [iii-iv], Title page, verso "Alle Rechte vorbehalten."; [v], Dedication to Leopold von Buch, signed J.R. Blum.; [vi], Blank.; [vii-viii], "Vorwort."; ix-xx, "Inhalt."; [1]-200, Text.; 201-207, "Rückblick."; 208-212, "Register."
Very scarce. The fourth and final supplement to this famous work. As in the previous supplements, pseudomorphs from alteration, replacement, paramorphs, as well as ore deposits are described. All the research is thoroughly referenced. At the conclusion of this last supplement is a review of the importance of this book in the history of mineral and geology.
Bibliographical references: NUC. • USGS Library Catalog.
16. German, 1854.
Die | Einschlüsse Von Mineralien | In | Krystallisirten Mineralien, | Deren | Chemische Zusammensetzung | Und Die | Art Ihrer Entstehung. | [rule] | Drei Von Der Holländischen Societät Der Wissenschaften | Zu Haarlem Im Jahre 1853 Gekrönte Preisschriften. | [rule] | Von | Dr. Reinhard Blum, | Dr. Gustav Leonhard, | August Hermann Seyfert | Und | Edmund Söchting. | [ornate rule] | Haarlem, | Die Erben Loosjes. | In Commission Bei | Arnz & Co. in Düsseldorf. | 1854.
4°: [8], 264 p., 8 plates (7 color). Page size: 294 x 230 mm.
Very scarce. Co-authored with Gustav Leonhard, August Hermann Seyfert and Edmund Söchting, this is a voluminous compendium of prize winning essays about inclusions found in minerals. A total of 334 types of inclusion-host pairs are recorded, and many old references to inclusions in minerals are cited (pp. 73-75, 141-150). Söchting summarized the prior work of Blum, Leonhard, and Bischof on the occurrence of minerals included in other minerals. Söchting also lists a number of minerals that have been found in quartz. Occurrences of asphalt, petroleum, and water in quartz are mentioned. He shows that the presence of inclusions with low melting or decomposition temperatures can be used to prove that the quartz in many cases could not have been deposited from molten condition. Also discussed are the occurrence of broken tourmaline needles in quartz.
Bibliographical references: BMC: 2, 178. • Sinkankas, Gemology Bibliography, 1993: no. 718A.
17. German, 1850.
Grundzüge der Mineralogie und Geognosie. Stuttgart, 1850.
8°: iv, 162 p.
Very scarce. Forming volume 3 of Neue Encykolp. Wissenschaft. & Kunst. [?].
Bibliographical references: BMC: 2, 178.
18. German, 1860.
Handbuch | der | Lithologie oder Gesteinlehre | von | Dr. J. Reinhard Blum, | [...2 lines of titles and memberships...] | Mit 50 Figuren. | [rule] | Erlangen. | Verlag von Ferdinand Enke. | 1860.
8°: [i]-xii, [1]-356 p., illus.
Contents: [i-ii], Title page, verso blank.; [iii], "Vorwort."-signed J.R. Blum, March 1860.; [iv], Blank.; [v]-xii, "Inhalt."; [1]-346, Text.; [347]-356, "Register."
Very scarce. Handbook of lithology describing various rocks.
Bibliographical references: BMC: 2, 178. • Katalog Bergakademie Freiberg, 1879: p. 76.
19. German, 1866.
Die Mineralien | nach | Den Krystallsystemen geordnet. | [rule] | Ein Leitfaden | zum Bestimmen derselben | vermittelst ihrer | Krystallographischen Eigenschaften | von | J. Reinhard Blum. | [ornate rule] | Leipzig und Heidelberg. | C.F. Winter'sche Verlagshandlung. 1866.
8°: [i]-vi, [2], [1]-32 p. Printed wraps. Page size: 230 x 150 mm. uncut.
Contents: [i-ii], Title page, verso blank.; [iii]-vi, "Vorwort."; [1 pg], "Die Mineralien nach den Krystallsystemen geordnet."; [1 pg], Blank.; [1]-28, Text.; [29]-32, "Register."
Rare. An attempt to classify minerals according to their crystal system, which is also used in the identification of the mineral species.
Bibliographical references: BMC: 2, 178.
20. German, 1869 [Collection catalog].
Die Mineralien-Cabinet der Universität des Heidelberg. Heidelberg, 1869.
8°: [6], [1]-40 p., map (plan of museum).
Rare. Descriptive catalog of the University of Heidelberg's mineral collection, of which Blum was the curator.
Bibliographical references: Roller & Goodman, Catalogue, 1976: 1, 124.
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