Abraham ben Simeon (1410-1440)

Magie des Egyptschen Abraham Elim: Das ist wahrer weeg zur weissheit, und allen geheimen Wissenschaften, welche derselbe dem wüssbegirrigen Abraham von Worms gelehrt, dieser aber seinem Jüngern Sohn Lamech gewiedmet in seinem Testament hinterlassen hat. MCCCLXXXXVIII. Nach gewohnlicher Jahrzahl...von Dr. Hans Schabo, Professor der Hebraeisch und Chaldeisch Sprache zu Leyden...übersetzt, Anno Christi 1619. Aus der dressdner bibliothek 1726. This MS. is a German version, containing three Books only, of a work entitled 'Segullat Melakim' (Royal Devices), originally in four books of which the last three exist in summaries only. [Cf. Jewish Encyclopedia, Vol. I, s.v. Abraham ben Simeon of Worms]. It deals with practical cabala, magic, and natural science, and the author is said to have been a pupil of R. Abraham Elim [fl. c. 1425]. Produced in Dresden.

1726

1 volume 2 ll. (first bl.) + 209 pp. + 1 l. + 173 bl. ll. 8vo. 22 x 141/2 cm. Original calf-gilt binding.

Purchased 1935.

The date (1398) given in the Title seems to be an error of transcription. According to Waite in his 'Book of ceremonial magic', [1911], this work is spurious, and first found in an early 18th cent. MS. at the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal in Paris, but this seems to be incorrect. It was edited and translated by S. Macgregor Mathers in 1898, who believed in its authenticity as an ancient work with a Hebrew original. He is severely criticized by Waite [op. cit.] for holding this opinion.

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).