Sabbathier, Esprit

Idealis umbra Sapientiae generalis. Illustrated with 9 pen-drawings of magical sigils: large folding table of Intelligences, Spirits, etc. In this MS. the colophon is dated 1678, and following this, there is an 'Approbatio' dated 1677. After this work there are six leaves headed: 'Li seguenti capitoli formati in Libretto in lingua Francese che dichiarano la misteriosa carta intitolata Idealis umbra Sapientiae generalis sono stati portati in lingua Italiana'. Lastly comes a work in Latin, entitled: 'Ideolosophysicae vel Idealis umbrae Sapientiae generalis Catholico-Christianae et Christiano-Kabalisticae explicatio, atque utendi methodus accurata'. Both these items are probably also by the same author as the main work. Inscribed inside the upper cover 'From Baron Kirkup's books Florence' and a note on the MS. Seymour Stocker Kirkup [1788-1880] of Florence had collected a large library during his residence there. He was only a 'Cavaliere' of the Order of SS Maurizio e Lazzaro, but assumed the title of 'Barone' [see the Dictionary of National Biography]. Below this is the signature of Walter Moseley [1832-1887].

Late 17th century

1 volume 70 ll. (last 4 bl.). 4to. 211/2 × 151/2 cm. Original vellum binding, with flap.

Purchased 1933.

The author of this work was a Capuchin monk: it was edited by his brother Francois Marie [Jablier] of the same order, and published at Paris 'chez Mademoiselle Jablier'. A French translation was issued in the same year. Both works are extremely rare, as both appeared in the form of a large engraved sheet, set out in 6 columns, and these were usually cut up to give the appearance of a book. For the author cf. Caillet 9731.

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).