Miscellanea Alchemica XXIV

Collection of alchemical tracts mainly in German, the last two in Latin. Illustrated by numerous water-colour drawings of alchemical apparatus, symbolical representations of processes within flask-shaped figures, etc. On fol. 4 a king and queen, half-length between a coat of arms, on fol. 2 verso, two monks at work in laboratory. On the first leaf the same coat of arms emblazoned, a double-headed eagle sable on azure. The Preface on fol. 1 is in red ink. The last three items in the following list of contents are by different, and later 16th century. hands. Fol. 1 Preface beginning 'Alle Kunst kompt von got'. At the end is the date 15xliii (1543).

1543

1 volume 4 bl. ll. + 138 ll. (last 3 bl.). 4to. 19 x 16 cm. Original vellum gilt binding, ties wanting. Sides stamped with unidentified coats of arms.

Purchased at Sotheby's 2/6/1927, Lot 918.

No. 11 has not been identified, but is possible that the place-name may be written inerror for 'Trevirensis': inthat case, the 'bishop' might well be Cuno von Falkenstein, Archbishop of Treves [1320-1389], who was an enthusiastic patron of Alchemy. [Cf. Thorndike History of Magic and Experimental Science, Vol. IV, p. 347.].

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973).

Inside the upper cover armorial book-plate of Thomas South. From the Library of Walter Travers Scott-Elliot of Arkleton, Langholm, Dumfriesshire.