Schuh’s Annotated Bio-Bibliography

KOKSHAROV, Nicolai Ivanovich von.

(1818 – 1893)

(Born: Ust-Kamenogorsk, Tomsk, Russia, 23 November 1818; Died: St. Petersburg, Russia, 2 January 1893) Russian mineralogist, crystallographer & major-general in the Russian mining corps.

Koksharov was born into a family of mine engineers. Hence he was educated at St. Petersburg Military School of Mines (today the St. Petersburg Mining Institute), 1830-40. Being the outstanding student, he selected to accompany Murchison and De Verneuil, and afterwards De Keyserling in their extensive geological surveys of the Russian empire, 1840-41. From these travels Koksharov became interested in mineralogy, and most particularly Russian species. Traveling extensively throughout Europe, he made the acquaintance of many distinguished mineralogists, notably C.S. Weiss and G. Rose in Germany and W.H. Miller in England. Koksharov had a distinguished career, becoming director of the Imperial Mineralogical Society of St. Petersburg, 1865-92 and director of the St. Petersburg Mining Institute of Mines, 1872-81. He also held membership in some sixty Russian and foreign scientific societies. Koksharov's private collection of minerals consisting of about 3,250 specimens and particularly rich in Siberian species, was purchased by the British Museum of Natural History in 1865.

Biographical references: American Journal of Science: 3rd Series, 145 (1893), 362. • Barr, Index to Biographical Fragments, 1973: 143. • Bulletin de la Société Française de Minéralogie: 16 (1893), 5-10. • Cleevely, World Palæontological Collections, 1983: 175. • Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th edition. • Journal of the Society for the Bibliography of Natural History: 8 (1978), 422. • Lambrecht & Quenstedt, Catalogus, 1938: 241. • Moliavko, Geologi Biograficheskii, 1985: p. 132. • Poggendorff: 1, col. 1300, 3, 738 & 4, 787. • Proceedings of the Geological Society, London: 49 (1893), 64-5. • Sarjeant, Geologists, 1980: 2, 1475 & Suppl. 1 (1986), 1, 558. • Shafranovsky, I.I., Nikolaus Ivanovich Koksharov. St. Petersburg, 1964. [Biography of Koksharov, with portrait and bibliography.]. • Zapiski Vserossiiskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 97 (1968), p. 529-537. • Zvorykin, Biograficheskii Slovar, 1958: 1, 431.

Materialy dlia Mineralogii Rossii, 1852

[Transliterated title:]

6 vols. plus atlas. [Vol 1: 1852] 8°: [6], I-III, [1] blank, [1]-412, [4] p., illus. [Vol 2: 1855] 8°: [4], [1]-339, [1] blank, [4] p., illus. (Page numbers of the first signiature are reversed). [Vol 3: 1858] 8°: [6], [1]-426, [4] p., illus. [Vol 4: 1862] 8°: [4], 515, [5] p. [Vol 5: 1866] 8°: [2], 373, [3] p., plates LXXV-LXXVII. [Atlas] 4°: 1-4 p., 74 plates (numbered I-LXXIV).

The bibliography of this Russian edition is difficult because of the rarity of the work. Contrary to what Sinkankas (1993) states this Russian edition did not exceed volume five as a separate publication, and contrary to what Grigor'ev & Shafranovskii (1949) state volume six did not appear as a separate volume. Instead it made an appearance as an article in the Gornoi Zhurnal. In addtion the plates are numbered I-LXXVII. In the copy examined, plates LXXV-LXXVII were bound in at the end of volume five and not included in the Atlas proper. Page size: 225 x 148 mm.

Contents: [Vol 1] [2 pgs], Half title page, ``Материалы | Для | Минералогiи Россiи. | [rule] | Часть Первая. | [rule]," verso blank.; [1 pg], Dedication to Александру Николаевичу [Alexsander Nikolavich], signed Nikolai Koksharov.; [1 pg], Blank.; [2 pgs], Title page, verso "Печатать Позволяется | ..."; [I]-III, "Предисловiе."; [1 pg], Blank.; [1]-412, Text.; [4 pgs], "Оглавленiе | Первой Части."

[Vol 4] [2 pgs], Half title page, verso blank.; [2 pgs], Title page, verso blank.; [1]-515, Text (p. 112, folding plate showing the famous Alexanderite specimen).; [1 pg], Blank.; [4 pgs], "Оглавленiе | Четвертой Части." [=index].

[Vol 5] [2 pgs], Title page, verso blank.; [1]-373, Text (p. 238, folding diagam).; [1 pg], Blank.; [2 pgs], "Оглавленiе | Пятой Части." [=index].; [At end], Plates LXXV-LXXVII.

Very rare. This is perhaps the finest topographical mineralogy published in the nineteenth century and certainly one of the most important to ever appear. Koksharov was a pioneer of a new progressive line of thought concerning descriptive mineralogy. He firmly believed that substituting accurate crystallographic values, chemical analysis and physical studies for the simple mineral descriptions used until that time, would greatly advance mineralogical studies. This is the method he used in this work, still the best reference for studing crystallized Russian minerals.

Originally, the text for these volumes appeared in Russian as a series of articles published in the Gornoi Zhurnal. Each article dealt with a single mineral species and included meticulous notes on associations and crystal forms. The descriptions give all the pertinent information, including listings of all the known Russian localities. There are also long lists of exterior angles all meticulously measured with a reflecting goniometer by the author. Today, these measurements are still considered to be extremely reliable. Complementing the measurements are exquisite crystal illustrations in orthorhombic projection, all drawn by Koksharov. The crystal drawings are seemingly always complete, perfect and extremely complex. After enough articles had appeared, they were collected together to form individual volumes of Materialy dlia Mineralogii Rossii. A consequence of this procedure is, however, that there is no apperent order of presentation within the compiled volumes.

This work appeared similtaneously in two editions. The Russian edition as described is very rare in complete sets, even within Russia. Perhaps as an indication of a lack of interest in the continuation of the Russian edition, it ceased publication as separate volumes with number five. However, the German edition, described in the next entry, had greater popularity outside Russia, and continued publication for an another twenty years and comprises an additional six volumes.

Bibliographical references: BL. • Grigorev & Shafranovskii, Russkie Mineralogi, 1949: pp. 98-118. • Sinkankas, Gemology Bibliography, 1993: no. 3498.

Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands, 1853

[Tile page of the atlas reads:]

11 vols. plus an atlas. [Vol 1: 1853] 8°: π² 1-14⁸ χ²; 116l.; [4], [1]-226, [4] p. [Vol 2: 1854-57] 8°: [1]-23⁸ 24⁵; 189l.; [1]-373, [1] blank, [4] p. [Vol 3: 1858] 8°: π⁸ 2-25⁸; 200l.; [1]-394, [6] p., one folding plate (Topaz). [Vol 4: 1862] 8°: π⁸ 2-25⁸ χ²; 202l.; [1]-400, [4] p. one folding plate (p. 56, Alexanderite). [Vol 5: 1866] 8°: π⁸ 2-24⁸; 200l.; [1]-397, [1] blank, [3], [1] blank p. [Vol 6: 1870] 8°: π⁸ 2-28⁸; 224l.; [1]-407, [1] p., folding diagram (Page 10). [Vol 7: 1875] 8°: π⁸ 2-23⁸ 24⁹; 193l.; [1]-384, [1], [1] blank p. [Vol 8: 1878] 8°: π⁸ 2-26⁸ 27⁹; 217l.; [1]-432, [2] p. [Vol 9: 1884] 8°: π⁸ 2-23⁸; 184l.; [1]-365, [1] blank, [2] p. [Vol 10: 1888] 8°: π⁸ 2-24⁸; 192l.; [1]-350, [2] p. [Vol 11: 1891] 8°: π⁸ 2-6⁸ 7⁴-12⁴ 13⁴; 72l.; [1]-137, [1], [2], I-XI, [1] blank p. [Atlas: 1853-91] 4°: π¹; 1l.; [2] p., 87 plates, numbered I-LXXXVII. Page size: 225 x 150 mm.

Contents: [Vol 1] [2 pgs], Half title page, "Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands. Erster Band," verso blank.; [2 pgs], Title page, verso "Zum Druck erlaubt..."-dated 21 March 1853.; [1]-2, "Vorwort."; [3]-226, Text.; [1 pg], "Register zum ersten Bande."; [1 pg], Blank.; [1 pg], "Druckfehler des ersten Bandes."; [1 pg], Blank.

[Vol 2] [1-2], Half title page, "Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands. Zweites Band," verso blank.; [3-4], Title page, verso "Zum Druck erlaubt..."-dated 19 February 1857.; [3], "Vorwort zum zweiten Bande."; [4], Blank.; [5]-373, Text.; [1 pg], Blank.; [2 pgs], "Register zum zweiten Bande."; [1 pg], "Druckfehler des zweiten Bandes."; [1 pg], Blank.

[Vol 3] [1-2], Half title page, "Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands. Dritter Band," verso blank.; [3-4], Title page, verso "Zum Druck erlaubt..."-dated 3 December 1857.; [5], "Vorwort zum Dritten Bande."; [6], Blank.; [7]-394, Text.; [3 pgs], "Register zum Dritten Bande."; [1 pg], Blank.; [1 pg], "Druckfehler des dritten Bandes."; [1 pg], Blank.; [At end], One folding plate.

[Vol 4] [1-2], Half title page, "Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands. Vierter Band," verso blank.; [3-4], Title page, verso Russian text.; [5]-400, Text.; [3 pgs], "Register zum vierten Bande."; [1 pg], "Druckfehler des vierten Bandes."

[Vol 5] [1-2], Half title page, "Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands. Fünfter Band," verso blank.; [3-4], Title page, verso Russian text.; [5]-397, Text.; [1 pg], Blank.; [2 pgs], "Register zum fünfter Bande."; [1 pg], "Druckfehler des fünften Bandes."; [1 pg], Blank.

[Vol 6] [1-2], Half title page, "Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands. Sechster Band," verso blank.; [3-4], Title page, verso Russian text.; [5]-407, Text.; [1 pg], "Register zur sechsten Bande."

[Vol 7] [1-2], Half title page, "Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands. Siebenter Band," verso blank.; [3-4], Title page, verso blank.; [5]-384, Text.; [1 pg], "Register zum siebenten Bande."; [1 pg], Blank.

[Vol 8] [1-2], Half title page, "Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands. Achter Band," verso blank.; [3-4], Title page, verso Russian text.; [5]-432, Text.; [2 pgs], "Register zur achten Bande."

[Vol 9] [1-2], Half title page, "Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands. Neunter Band," verso blank.; [3-4], Title page, verso Russian text.; [5]-365, Text.; [1 pg], Blank.; [1 pg], "Register zum neunten Band."; [1 pg], "Druckfehler der neunten Bandes."

[Vol 10] [1-2], Half title page, "Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands. Zehnter Band," verso blank.; [3-4], Title page, verso Russian text.; [5]-350, Text.; [1 pg], "Register zum zehnten Bande."; [1 pg], "Druckfehler des zehnten Bandes."

[Vol 11] [1-2], Half title page, "Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands. Elfter Band," verso blank.; [3-4], Title page, verso Russian text.; [5]-128, Text.; [129]-130, "Dem Andenken N.I. de Kokscharow."; [131]-137, Biography of Kokscharov.; [138], "Register zum elften Bande."; [1 pg], "Register zu den elf Bänden der Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands von N. von Kokscharow. 1853-1892."; [1 pg], Blank.; I-XI, Index to volumes 1-11.; [1 pg], Blank.

[Atlas] [2 pgs], Title page, verso "Zum druck erlaubt. St. Petersburg den 3 April 1853."; 87 plates, numbered I-LXXXVII.

Plates: The plates of the atlas are numbered I-LXXXVII. They each show crystal drawings, most complex with their faces labelled. Most of the plates are unsigned; however, those few that are not blank are signed either C. Kray, A. Münster or Jvanson sculp. Plates LXXXIII-LXXXVII are signed in cyrillic type.

Rare. Translation by Koksharov of Materialy dlia Mineralogii Rossii (6 vols., St. Petersburg, 1852-70). This German edition, typically lagged behind the Russian original by about a year on each volume. However, beginning with volume seven the text was translated directly from the articles appearing in the Gornoi Zhurnal. This translation contains the same illustrations and plates as the original, and is the most commonly seen edition outside of Russia, and perhaps may have had a larger edition. Because publication of this edition was spread over nearly forty years, this work is extremely rare in complete copies.

Bibliographical references: Dana's 7th (Bibliography): 75. • Freilich Sale Catalog: no. 318. • Grigorev & Shafranovskii, Russkie Mineralogi, 1949: pp. 98-118. • Sinkankas, Gemology Bibliography, 1993: no. 3499. • Ward & Carozzi, Geology Emerging, 1984: no. 1293.

[Transliterated title:]

4°: π³ 1-28⁴ 29¹; 116l.; [6], [1]-226 p., 401 illus. Page size: 300 x 222 mm.

Contents: [2 pgs], Half title page, ``Лекciи | Минералогiи. | [rule] | Н. Кокшаровъ.| [rule]," verso blank.; [2 pgs], Title page, verso ``Дозволено Cензурою. С. Петербургъ, 30 Января 1863 года.''; [1 pg], Dedication, signed Nicolai Koksharov.; [1 pg], Blank.; [1]-226, Text.

Very scarce. No more published. Issued as the first part of a proposed series of lessons in general mineralogy, the present volume examines crystallography, by illustrating the subject with numerous figures, reproduced from the authors great Materialien zur Mineralogie Russlands (11 vols., St. Petersburg, 1853-91), and simple, thorough explanations. The chapter on the irregularities of crystals is particularly complete and is made up largely of the results of his own crystallographic researches. It contains extended tables of measurements of a considerable number of species; and is illustrated by many woodcuts.

Bibliographical references: BL. • Freilich Sale Catalog: no. 320. • Grigorev & Shafranovskii, Russkie Mineralogi, 1949: pp. 98-118.

4°: [12], [1]-344, [1] errata, [1] blank p., 571 illus. Page size: 298 x 213 mm.

Contents: [2 pgs], Half title page, "Nikolai v. Koksharow's | Vorlesungen | über | Mineralogie. | [rule] | Erste Band. | [rule]," verso blank.; [2 pgs], Title page, verso Russian text.; [1 page], Dedication to Konstantin Wladimirowitsch Tschewkin.; [1 pg], Blank.; [2 pgs], "Vorwort."; [4 pgs], Table of contents.; [1-5], "Erste Vorlesung Einleitung."; 6-11, "Literatur."; 11-344, Text.; [1 pg], Errata.; [1 pg], Blank.

Very scarce. No more published. Translated by Koksharov from Lekcii Mineralogii (St. Petersburg, 1863). It contains the same illustrations as the original.

Bibliographical references: American Journal of Science: 2nd Series, 42 (1866), 125-6. • BL. • Dana's 7th (Bibliography): 75. • Grigorev & Shafranovskii, Russkie Mineralogi, 1949: pp. 98-118. • NUC: 302, 538-9 [NK 0238622].