English Alchemical Notebook, early 17th century

The notebook of an unidentified English alchemist, containing practical instructions for making the elixir of life, 'aurum potabile', and other alchemical recipes, notes on alchemical theory, and extracts from alchemical and astrological authorities. With notes in a later hand on Ramon Lull and Paracelsus. There seem to have been two contributors to the notebook, the earlier one using various scripts from secretary to italic (ff. 1-25r., 50-68), the later a consistent mid 17th century italic.

early 17th century

68 ff. (original foliation/pagination 1-50, 29-64) 1 vol., 110 × 90 mm., some leaves removed between ff. 49 and 50. Contemporary black calf binding, rebacked, with blind-stamped covers. Lined with fragments of an early printed Latin lexicon. Unidentified engraved armorial bookplate, inscribed 'Ham Court', and initialled (?)J.A.S.

Purchased at Sotheby's sale, 19 July 1994, lot 1.

The manuscript was catalogued by W.J. Wilson, in 'Catalogue of Latin and vernacular manuscripts in the United States and Canada', Osiris, vol. vi (1939), pp. 395-403, when it was the property of Captain R.B. Haselden in the Henry Huntingdon Library, San Marino, California.

Described in typescript supplements, by Christopher Hilton and Richard Aspin, to the Library's published finding aids.