Rosicrucians

Geheime Figuren der Rosenkreuzer aus dem 16ten und 17ten Jahrhundert. Copies of part of the symbolic plates contained in this work, originally published by J. D. A. Eckhart at Altona 1785-1788. The 4 figures on the last three leaves are laid down, or pasted in, and are by a different and somewhat later copyist and of smaller size (40 × 29½ cm.). The title as given in this MS. copy differs somewhat from that of the printed work mentioned above. Here it is: 'Physica, Metaphysica/et/Hyperphysica/D.O.M.A./Deo omnipotenti sit Laus Honor et Glo/ria in Seculorum Secula. Amen./Einfältig A.B.C. Büchel/für Jünge Schüler so sich täglich/fleiszig über in des Heiligen Geistes/Schüle./Gantz Einfältig Bildnusz-weise für die Augen gemahlet./Zum Neüen Jahres/Exercitio/In dem Naturlichen und Theologischen/Lichte./' The title to the last section (3 ll.) is: 'Einfältig A.B.C. Buchlein/Das ist/die Lehren des/Fratrum Rosae Crucis/Fur junge Schüler/.../.../...gemahlet/zum Exercitio oder zur Uebung/in dem/Naturlichen und Theologischen/Licht/von einem/Bruder des Rosen$es./ The correspondence between the 24 full-page illustrations in this MS. and that of the facsimile of the 'Geheime Figuren' published in 1919 by H. Barsdorff of Berlin is as under: MS. No. 1 (28), 2, 3 (25, 26, part), 4 (26, part), 5 (14, part), 6 (14 part), 7 (14, part), 8 (47), 9 (57), 10 (55), 11 (29), 12 (31), 13 (27), 14 (56), 15 (56), 16 (52), 17 (53), 18 (32), 19 (46), 20 (33), 21 (7), 22 (54), 23 (14, part), 24 (14, part). Inside the upper cover is the signature [c. 1900] of 'Thos. Wm. Lemon, IXo S.S.M., Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, Metropolitan College' with a note by him concerning the MS. Pasted on the lower outer corner of the t.p. is a small unidentified (German?) coat of arms.

Early 19th century

1 volume 16 ll. (last bl.) + 3 ll. folio. 51 × 36 cm. Modern half-morocco binding worn. Title in red, green and black. Headings of the illustrations in red and green, figures in brown and black, but otherwise uncoloured.

Purchased at Sotheby's (Hauser Sale) 18/4/1934, Lot 475.

From the library of Lionel Hauser of Paris, with his press-mark lable 'L.H.76'.

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).

The whole volume has been photographed and is held by Wellcome Images at L0045256-L0045288 (excluding L0045265)