1

JEFFREY D. MANCEVICE, INC.

P.O. Box 20413, West Side Station

Worcester, MA 01602

Phone: (508) 755-7421

FAX: (508) 753-2317

E-mail: info@mancevicebooks.com

ALCHEMY, CHEMISTRY, PHARMACY, MINEROLOGY & RELATED SUBJECTS

THE ALCHEMY OF BACON, DEE & LULL

1. BACON, Roger; DEE, John. Rogerius Bacon von den Geheimen Wirkungen der Kunst und Natur und Richtigkeit

der Magie mit Johannis Dee und eines Ungenanten Anmerkungen aus dem lateinischen übersezt und mit einer

Nachricht von dem Leben und Schriften des Verfassers vermehret. Nebst Raymundus Lullus Clavicula. Hof: bey

Johann Gottlieb Vierling, 1776. 8vo, 112 pp. Later half cloth.

$1850

FIRST EDITION of this very curious work on three figures that had a great effect on the

study of alchemy, mysticism and philosophy of science: Roger Bacon (1214?-1294), John Dee

(1527-1608) and Ramon Llull (1232-1316). The first two topics appear to fascinate the public

more that the last. The work also includes a discussion of an unknown member of the

Rosicrucian Brotherhood and his relationship with Dee. The work starts with a biography of

Bacon with a catalogue of his works followed by a bibliography of the published editions. The

Rosecrucians and their writings, starting from 1597, are described at length (pp. 15-33).

This is followed by the major of this volume which is a German translation of Bacon's

"Epistolae Fratris Rogerii Baconis, de secretis operibus artis et naturae, et de nullitate magiae."

This treatise dismisses magical practices like necromancy, and contains most of the alchemical

work attributed to Bacon, chiefly a formula for the philosopher’s stone, and perhaps one for

gunpowder. It also contains a number of passages about hypothetical flying machines and

submarines, attributing their first use to Alexander the Great (pp. 33-77). A response to Bacons

"Epistolae" by a Wilhelm from Paris appears on pages 78 to 94. The one direct mention of John

Dee seems to be in regard to a table on the 17 kinds of gold: "Siebenzehen Arten Goldes. Tabelle

des Joh. Dee der Siebenzehen Arten der Vermischung [+formula with zodiac symbols]".

The final work starts on page 95 with separately title-page: "Clavis Raymundi Lullii, Ohne

welchen seine andern Schriften nicht zu verstehen. Aus dem Latinischen ins Deutsche übersetzt.

Den Filiis Hermeticae Doctrinae zu gut an Tag gegeben von einem Liebhaber der Spagirischen

Kunst." It is a German translation of a major alchemical text attributed to Lull titled, Filiis Hermeticae Doctrinae. A

contemporary owner has listed six other related texts attributed to Lull on the half-title.

The work is scarce with the OCLC apparently locating only the copy at Middlebury College. It is not in the usual

alchemy and chemistry literature.

§ Ackermann I, 324 "Sehr selten"; Caillet I, 628; not in Graesse BM&P or Rosenthal BM&P; Ferchl 18-19 (not

mentioned).

ALCHEMY / EXPRESSING THE WORLD VIEW OF PARACELSUS

2. BASILIUS VALENTINUS; THÖLDE, Johann. De Occulta Philosophia. Oder Von der heimlichen

Wundergeburt der sieben Planeten vnd Metallen. Fratris Basilij Valentini, Benedicter Ordens neben einer Taffel der

gantzen Philosophischen Weißheit. Jetzo zum andern mal in Druck verfertiget Durch Johan. Thölden, Hessum.

(Leipzig): Im verlag Jacobs Apels (Gedruckt bey Valentin. Am Ende), 1611. 8vo, 64, [2] pp. Woodcut printer's

ornament on title-page, woodcut ornament at end of preface and woodcut printer's device on colophon leaf. Printed

on poor quality of paper which has moderate browning; recently expertly deacidified; very nice copy. Recent calf

backed speckled boards.

$2250

2

Second edition of the important alchemical treatise "De Occulta Philosophia" (first; 1603) "Or from the secret

miracle of the seven planets and metals ... Now on a new occasion put in print by Johann Tholden, of Hesse." It is

one of a number of works attributed to Basilius Valentinus, a Benedictine monk of the fifteen century from Erfurt

Germany, but the authorship of his texts is now most commonly attributed to the Paracelsian Johann Thölde (ca.

1565-ca. 1624), who was a chemist, councilor and part owner of a salt-boiling firm in Frankenhausen in Thuringia.

"Until the late nineteenth century it was not doubted that Basilius Valentinus was a historical figure, and at any rate

a predecessor of Paracelsus, even though Leibniz in his Oedipus Chymicus (1710) had already claimed that Basilius

Valentinus was not a historical figure. Needless to say, ‘Basilius Valentinus’ was an astute Paracelsist, and his

works were extremely popular in the circles of ‘chymical physicians’, medical practitioners who chose not to rely on

traditional Galenic medicine but opted instead for laboratory experiment and the preparation of chemical medicine

to heal their patients. The Paracelsian world view of Basilius Valentinus is suggested by titles such as De

microcosmia, von der Welt im Kleinen (1602) and De occulta philosophia (1603), but he also possessed practical

knowledge, which he displayed in works like Triumphant chariot of antimony" (The Ritman Library, online

exhibition).

"It was partially... for their alchemical appeal, and partially for their genuine chemical value that the works

attributed to Basil Valentine were frequently published and translated and translated throughout the seventeenth and

eighteenth centuries" (DSB, XIII, pp. 558-203).

Both the first edition of 1603 and this second edition of 1611 are very rare because of the fact they were printed

on a very acidic paper which has a tendency to brown and become very fragile (see online copies). The present

example has been expertly de acidified and attractively rebound. The results have greatly improved the paper by

both lightening its toning and making the paper much more flexible and comfortably able to withstand examination.

§ VD 17 3:622920X; Ferchl p. 25 (Basilius), p. 533 (Thölde); Ferguson I, 79; Brüning, Bibliographie der

alchemistischen Literatur, 1019; Partington, II, p. 191f; cf. Wellcome I, 704 (1603 ed.); DSB XIII, pp. 558-60); not

in Krivatsy, Caillet, or Neville.

IMPORTANT CHEMISTRY TEXT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHLOGISTON THEORY

3. BECHER, Johann Joachim. Chymischer Glücks-Hafen, oder große chymische Concordantz und Collection, von

funffzehen hundert chymischen Processen: durch viel Mühe und Kosten auss den besten Manuscriptis und

Laboratoriis in diese Ordnung, wie hier folgendes Register aussweiset, zusammen getragen. Frankfurt: Johann

Georg Schiele, 1682. 4to, [8], 810, [36] pp. (2 pages of errata at end). Title printed in red and black; woodcuts of

chemistry equipment (pp. 407,472) early annotations and underlining; old collector's stamp on title-page; light

toning of paper. Contemporary half pigskin and marbled boards.

$1650

FIRST EDITION of the last major work on chemistry by the eminent German Chemist, Johann Joachim Becher

(1635-1682): “Thomson says that Becher was ‘the first person who can with propriety be said to have attempted to

construct a theory of Chemistry’” (Partington).

"One of his most important books, it contains practical details on 1,500 chemical processes, including the

preparation of numerous pure chemical compounds, as well as directions for making the philosopher's stone. This

was a significant source book for his pupil Stahl, who republished it (Halle, 1726), adding his own preface. It played

an important role in the development of Stahl's phlogiston theory, which was an elaboration of Becher's combustion

hypothesis. The combustibility of coal gas is first mentioned in this book" (Neville).

§ VD 17 23:238915Z; Duveen 57; Ferguson I, 86 (note); Thorndike VII, 582; Wellcome II, 125; Neville, I, 103-

04; D.S.B., I, 550; Ferchl, 30; Partington, II, 640-641; Neu, 345.

4. BERKELEY, George. Siris: A Chain of Philosophical Reflexions and Inquiries concerning the Virtues of Tar

Water ... Second Edition, Improved and Corrected by the Author. London: For W. Innys et al, 1744. 8vo, 174, [2]

pp. scattered foxing and browning. Contemporary calf (front hinge cracked and weak).

$275

On the therapeutic uses of wood-tar including numerous accounts of its beneficial uses and related subjects.

Although it states "Second Edition, Improved and Corrected by the Author" it is the third London printing after the

Dublin first edition of the same year.

"Berkeley was an Anglican bishop who was active in several fields, but he is remembered chiefly as a

philosopher and his major works were in the field of philosophy. He was born of English stock near Kilkenny,

Ireland, and always regarded himself as a true Irishman in spite of his English parentage and religious affiliation. In

his philosophy, Berkeley went beyond John Locke, who had argued that qualities such as color and taste arise in the

mind while primary qualities of matter such as weight exist independently of the mind. Berkeley held that both types

of qualities are known only in the mind and that matter does not exist independently of perception. He went on to

demonstrate that qualities are perceived and that their perception is relative to the perceiver. Several authorities

believe that the present work is responsible for beginning the tar water fad that swept through England during the

3

late 1740s. Berkeley discusses the preparation and use of tar water as well as the diseases and afflictions for which it

is recommended." (Heirs of Hippocrates).

It also "Mentions method of making tar water in America" (European Americana).

§ Keynes, Berkeley 67; Jessop, Berkeley, 145 d & e; European Americana 744/25; Heirs of Hippocrates nos. 804

& 805.

IMPORTANT CHEMISTRY TEXT / REVISED BY THE AUTHOR

5. BOERHAAVE, Herman. Elementa chemiae quae anniversario labore docuit, in publicis, privatisque, scholis ...

Edito altera, Leydensi multo correctior et accuratior, cui etiam accessêre ejusdem auctoris opuscula omnia quae

hactenùs in lucem prodierunt, ea quidem priùs sparsim edita, nunc verò in unum collecta atque digesta [BOUND

WITH] Opuscula omnia, Ea quidem prius sparsim edita in unum collecta. Paris: Apud Guillelmum Cavelier, 1733.

4to, 3 volumes bound in 2. [12], 476, [30] pp.: [8], 346, 48 pp. With 17 folding engraved plates and 2 text

engravings in last work. Some damp stains towards end of second volume. Contemporary calf with gilt spine.

$1650

FIRST REVISED EDITION and the first to include the author's Opuscula Omnia which had just appeared the

same year at The Hague (Lindeboom 525). The first authorized edition appeared the previous year and was quickly

reprinted and translated throughout Europe. This is the first edition to contain the subsequent revisions done by

Boerhaave. "The Elementa Chemiae immediately became the standard textbook of chemistry, and it maintained its

position of eminence until the overthrow of the phlogiston theory at the end of the eighteenth century" (Neville). "It

is no exageration therefore to say that Boerhaave's influence in chemistry lasted for about a century, almost from

Boyle to Dalton" (Gibbs, Ambix, 6 [1958], 119).

"Boerhaave (1668-1738) was professor of medicine and botany from 1700, and of chemistry from 1718 at the

University of Leyden. He was the most distinguished teacher of his time, and a man of immense and varied learning

in languages, philosophy, theology, mathematics, botany, chemistry, anatomy, and medicine. One of his most

important works is the treatise on chemistry, which was based on notes of his lectures, but was afterwards revised by

himself" (Ferguson). An important edition lacking in number of major collections.

§ Lindeboom, Boerhaave, 457 & 527a (Opuscula omnia); Partington II, 740-759; Ferguson Collection I, p. 100; not

in Ferguson (Young Collection), Duveen, Neu or Neville

COMPOSED UNDER THE INSPIRATION OF VAN HELMONT’S ‘DE LITHIASI’

6. CHARLETON, Walter. Spiritus gorgonicus, vi sua saxipara exutus; sive, De causis, signis, & sanatione

lithiaseos, diatriba. Leiden: Officina Elseviriorum, 1650. 8vo, [12], 242, [2] pp. (including final blank). Woodcut

printer's device on title-page; light foxing and occasional toning; blank portion of title excised and restored (without

loss of text); early scribbling on free endpapers. Contemporary limp vellum.

$575

FIRST EDITION. "There was much interest in Van Helmont's works in England. There was a complete

translation of the Ortus Medicinae and parts were translated by Walter Charleton (1620-1707), M.D. Oxon. 1642,

physician to Charles I and (honorary) to Charles II in exile, an original F.R.S. (elected 1663), president of the

College of Physicians. He also wrote (under the inspiration of Van Helmont's De Lithiasi) Spiritus Gorgonicus, vi

sua saxipara exutus; sive de causis, signis, & sanatione litheasews, diatriba, 8°, Leyden, 1650." (Partington).

"This work is thoroughly Helmontian and discusses a supposedly universal stone-forming spirit that is

responsible for the growth of both macrocosmic and microcosmic concretions. Van Helmont's views on tartar are

carefully examined and compared and contrasted with those of other iatrochemists (e.g. Paracelsus, Severinus, and

Libavius). Owing to the generally poor dietary intake in the seventeenth century, for formation of stones in the bile

duct, kidneys, and bladder was common. In the later sections of this work Charleton gives prescriptions for the

voiding of calculi and alleviation of the pain they cause." (Neville, I, p. 267).

§ DSB III, 208; Neville I, 267; Willems 674; Ferchl, 92; Caillet, 2227; Partington, II, 241; Wellcome, II, 329;

Rahir, 673.

CHEMISTRY CLASSIC

7. CROLL, Oswald. Basilica chymica, pluribus selectis & secretissimis propria manuali experientia approbatis

descriptionibus, & usu remediorum chymicorum selectissimorum, aucta a Joan. Hartmanno ... Edita a Johanne

Michaelis ... et Georg. Everhardo Hartmann. Geneva: Apud Samuelem Chouët, 1658. 8vo, 3 parts in 1 vol. [16],

220, [12], 419, [10], blank, 114, [38] pp. Few small text woodcuts. Some minor marginal worming on a few leaves

damp stains, some minor fraying and traces of use; few running headings trimmed. Contemporary mottled calf, gilt

spine (worn section on front cover).

$375

Scarce edition of one of the great classics of early chemical literature which first appeared at Frankfurt in 1609

and went through a number of enlarged editions. Oswald Croll (1650-1609), a follower of Paracelsus, was physician

4

to Prince Christian of Anhalt-Bernberg and later councilor to Emperor Rudolph II. This is his principle work in

which he expounds Paracelsian doctrine in three parts: admonitory preface, practical section on chemistry and a

treatise on signatures. It was the "standard work on iatrochemistry" (DSB). Written in a "truly scientific spirit"

(Partington). This edition was edited by Johann Hartmann (1568-1631) and Johann Michaelis (1606-1667)

§ Partington II, 175; DSB III, 471; Ferchl 109; Thorndike V, 649.

THREE RARE ALCHEMICAL COMPILATIONS EACH IS "OF NOTORIOUS RARITY" (Neville)

8. DOLHOPFF, Georg Andreas (publisher). Lapis animalis microcosmicus. Oder, die höchste Artzney, aus der

kleinen Welt des menschlichen Leibs. Sampt einem Tractätlein vom Urin oder Harn des Menschen. Strassburg: In

Verlegung Georg Andreas Dolhopffen, 1681. 8vo, [16], 80 pp. Usual light browning found in German paper of this

period. Contemporary vellum with original linen ties present.

BOUND WITH

DOLHOPFF, G.A. Lapis mineralis oder die höchste Artzney, auß denen Metallen und Mineralien, absonderlich

dem Vitriolo. Strassburg; Dolhopff, 1681. [12], 116 pp.

BOUND WITH

DOLHOPFF, G.A. Lapis vegetabilis, oder die höchste Artzney, auß dem Wein, auch andern Erden-Gewächsen.

Sambt dem zehenden Buch der Archidoxen Philippi Theophrasti Paracelsi. Strassburg; Dolhopff, 1681.[4], 92 pp..

FIRST EDITIONS (and probably only) of all three compilations of alchemical, pharmacological and medical

tracts composed by the Strassburg printer and publisher Georg Andreas Dolhopff, all of which "are of notorious

rarity" (Neville). Complete sets of all three publications are especially unusual with the Neville copy being one of

the few exceptions. Most collection catalogues have, if any, only single volumes or at most two; e.g. NLM

(Krivatsy), Duveen, Neu, Wellcome, Ferguson, Bolton, etc.

$6500

I. The first work deals chiefly with observations on animal products, in particularly urine,

and the salts obtainable from them. "Ferguson (I, 219) lists the names of the alchemical and

iatrochemical authors from whose works excerpts were made. At the end of the preface,

Dolhopff asks his readers to bring to his attention other hitherto unpublished chemical tracts, as

he had in mind to publish a seventh volume of Zetzer's Theatrum Chemicum (1659-61).

Dolhoff was evidently unaware of the existence of the Ginaeceum Chimicum (Lyons, 1679), ...

The works of Dolhopff are of notorious rarity, and this author is not mentioned by Partington.

Not in Bolton, Edelstein, Ferguson Coll., Wellcome, etc." (Neville).

Contains excerpts from the works of Arnoldus de Villanova (-1311), Basilius Valentinus,

Pierre Jean Fabre (ca. 1650), Thomas Kessler (active 1616-1630), Konrad Khunrath (1555-

1614), Paracelsus (1493-1541), George Ripley (-1490), Martin Schmuck (-1640), and others.

II."Observations on the preparation of salts from minerals and metals are contained in this

tract of great chemical interest. It also discusses the transmutation of mercury and sulphur into

silver and gold, by the agency of the philosopher's stone. Not in Ferchl, Ferguson Coll.,

Krivasy, etc." (Neville).

Basilius Valentinus, Paracelsus, (1493-1541), Samuel Norton (1548-1604?), Johann

Rhenanus (active 1610), Rosenberger, Marcus Friderich, Jodocus Van Rehe, Isaac Hollandus.

III. "The third and final work of this Dolhopff trilogy, containing a summary of the

Archidoxis of of Paracelsus. That the three works that are here bound together were published

separately is shown by Dohopff's preface in the present volume, in which he mentions that the

other two were published the previous February and May 1681. Not in Ferchl, Ferguson,

Ferguson Coll., Wellcome, etc." (Neville).

Contains excepts from Basilius Valentinus, Joseph Du Chesne (ca. 1544-1609), Conrad Khunrath (1555-1614),

Paracelsus (1493-1541) and others.

§ I.VD 17 1:000139P; Sudhoff, Paracelsus 412; Brüning 2474; Caillet 6102; Duveen 176; Krivatsy 3322; Neu

1196; Neville Historical Chemical Library I, pp. 376-377.

II. VD 17 1:000140L; Sudhoff, Paracelsus 413; Brüning 2475; Caillet 6103; Duveen 176; Neu 1197; Neville

Historical Chemical Library I, pp. 376-377; Wellcome, II, 477.

III. VD 17 1:000141S; Sudhoff, Paracelsus 414; Brüning 2476; Caillet 6104; & Krivatsy 3323; Schoene3

10985; Neville Historical Chemical Library I, pp. 376-377.

“AN IMPORTANT EARLY CONTRIBUTION TO THE HISTORY OF CHEMISTRY” - Duveen

9. ERXLEBEN, Johann Christian Polykarp. Anfangsgründe der Chemie. Göttingen: J.C. Dieterich, 1775. 8vo, [32],

472, [52] pp. Fine copy. Contemporary calf, gilt spine, marbled end-papers, edges red (minor worm damage to a few

spots; very sound and attractive binding).

5

$1875

"FIRST EDITION of an important early contribution to the history of chemistry" (Duveen); which is also

"notable for its bibliographical references" (Cole).

Johann Christian Polykarp Erxleben (1744-1777) was professor of philosophy and physics at Göttingen, were he

died at the early age of 33. He investigated fixed air, gold purple, and the red color of alum from Brunswick (due to

cobalt). "His text-book has a good bibliography, including alchemy. He discussed Black's and Meyer's theories in

detail, to the advantage of the former, and reefers to the increase in weight of some and perhaps all metals' on

calcination, attributing it to combination with fixed air" (Partington).

A very nice copy of a rare and important chemistry text.

§ Brüning 5160; Cole 415; Bolton 430; Partington III, 591; Ferchl 145; Poggendorff I, 679; Duveen 195; Neville

I, 426; not in Blake, Ferguson (Young Collection) or Ferguson Collection, Morgan, Waller, Wellcome, etc.

Euclid's Elements, 30; Graesse, II, p. 510; BM/STC French, p. 157; Steck, Bib. Euclideana, III. 58; Smith, Rara

arithmetica, p. 240; Hoffmann II, 43.

BOOK OF SECRETS IN MEDICINE, CHEMISTRY & ALCHEMY

10. FALLOPPIO, Gabriele. Wunderlicher menschlichem Leben gewisser, und sehr nutzlicher Secreten, Drey Bücher.

I. Von allerhand Olien, Cerotten, Unguenten, Pillulen, und Electuarien. II. Von allerhand Weinen, und gebrandten

Wassern, zu underschiedlichen Gebrechen und Schwachheiten dienlich. III. Von etlichen sehr nutzlichen Secreten

aufs der Chymie. Allen Liebhabern der Künsten, und sorgfältigen Haussvättern dienlich zu lesen, und nütlich

zugebrauchen. Vom authore selbst in Italianischer Sprach publicirt, jetzund aber Teutscher Nation zu gutem in

unser Muttersprach ubersetzet. Frankfurt: In Wolffgang Hoffmanns Buchdruckerey: in Verlag Christoffs le Blon,

1641. 8vo, 474, [30] pp. Woodcut ornament on title-page. Usual moderate foxing and browning due to quality of

paper used. Contemporary vellum from an early manuscript (hinges cracked).

$1450

FIRST EDITION of this German translation of a book of secrets misattributed to the great anatomist Gabriele

Falloppio (1523-1562). "A similar collection to [Don Alessio Ruscelli's book of secrets] ... was made by Gabriello

Falloppio, celebrated as an anatomist, who lived between 1523 and 1563. The work is entitled 'Secreti Diversi,' and

it appeared after his death in 1566. ... It contains receipts for preparing different bodies to be used in medicine, for

the production of wines, alcoholic extracts of plants, cosmetics and waters. It also explains the chemical treatment of

the metals, their alloys, the way of changing their colours, converting them into different kinds of salts and so on.

There is no English version of this, so far as I know, but there was a Latin edition, and one in German, Frankfurt,

1641, of which there is a copy here." (Ferguson, Secrets).

The OCLC locates copies of the present 1641 and a 1651 edition only in European libraries. There was an earlier

German translation of Falloppio's Secreti Diversi titled "Kunstbuch" (1571, 1588 & 1597; Augsburg) translated by

Jeremias Martius which was published with a related French work by Christophe Landré.

§ Ferguson, Secrets I, p. 14; Ferguson, Young Coll. I, 261-2; not in Durling.

THE "FATHER OF MINERAL CHEMISTRY" (Partington)

11. HENCKEL, Johann Friedrich. Pyritologie, ou Histoire naturelle de la pyrite, ouvrage

dans leguel on examine l'origine, la nature, les propriétés & les usages de ce minéral

important, & de la plûpart des autres substances du même regne: on y a joint le Flora

saturnisans, où l'auteur démontre l'alliance qui se trouve entre les végétaux et les

minéraux; et les opuscules minéralogiques. Paris: Chez Jean-Thomas Hérissant, 1760. 4to,

2 volumes in 1. XVIII, 403 pp.; 526 pp. With engraved frontispiece and 5 folding engraved

plates. Collector's stamp on front endpaper; occasional light foxing and a few minor spots

in blank margins; very good, wide margined copy. Contemporary half calf and speckled

paper covered boards (rubbed).

$1750

FIRST FRENCH EDITION of this scarce collected works of Johann Friedrich Henckel

(1679-1744) which includes his major texts in mineralogy which were admired for his

utilization of chemical analysis in his mineralogical investigations; the Pyritologia and the

Flora Saturnizans: "an inquiry into the relations and similarities between plants and

minerals" DSB V, 259). "The Flora Saturnisans was translated by Charas with revisions by

Augustin Roux, while the other items were translated by Baron d'Holbach all from the

German (some were fro Karl Friedrich Zimmerman's German translations from the original

Latin). The Flora Saturnizans has an addition to Chap VIII—'Tableau de l'analyse

vegetale' taken from the lectures of G.F. Rouelle" (Cole). Included are also two papers on

the diseases of miners: De la phtisie and De la colique des fonderies. Each work in this

volume has a separate title-page.

6

Henckel (1679-1744) took his M.D. at Halle under the chemist G.E. Stahl in 1711. He later settled in the Saxon

mining town of Freiberg where he practiced medicine, establish a large laboratory, taught an annual course in

metallurgical chemistry and became director of mines. "He soon became quite proficient in using heat and fire for

the chemical analysis of mineral substances. In the 1720's he quickly attracted the acclaim of the German scientific

world with the publication of his first major work: ... 'Pyritologia' (Leipzig, 1725), an encyclopedic study of the

pyrites ... besides regaling his readers with a host of novel experiments and observations, Henckel championed

limited empirical research, Stahlian chemistry, and natural religion." (D.S.B).

§ Poggendorff I, 1065; Hoover 408; Cole 619; Ferchl 225 (under Oeuvres); Sinkankas 2884 (Idée Générale De

L'Origine Des Pierres); Partington II, 706-9; Neville I, p, 619; not in Duveen, Ferguson (Young Coll.) or Ferguson

Coll.

MINING ENCYCLOPEDIA

12. HERTTWIG, Christoph. Neues und Vollkommenes Berg-Buch Bestehend in sehr vielen und raren

Berg-Händeln, und Bergwercks-Gebräuchen, Absonderlich aber über 200. vorhin noch nicht edirten

... Berg-Urtheln und Abschieden, ... dergestalt colligiret und abgefasset, daß bey nahe keine eintzige

Materia in Berg- Schmeltz- und Hammerwercks-Sachen, vorfallen mag, So nicht ... abgehandelt, und

mit Allegirung gelehrter ... Männer Schrifften, wie nicht weniger darzu gehörigen Kayserlichen,

Königlichen, Chur- und Fürstlichen Berg-Ordnungen ... entschieden, und ... zu finden wäre. Dresden

& Leipzig: Zimmermans Erben & Gerlach, 1734. Folio, [10], 438 pp. Title printed in red and black.

Usual foxing and light browning. Contemporary sheep.

$1500

"A valuable alphabetical glossary of mining terms of considerable metallurgical and chemical

interest, containing numerous notes and bibliographical references to earlier and contemporary

literature. A close paginary reprint of the first edition (Dresden and Leipzig: J.C. Zimmermanns,

1710), this encyclopedic work includes much information on the laws, practical operations, and

economics of the mining, smelting, and refining of metals and alloys. Herttwig (fl. 1710) was a

counselor and professor of mining at Freiberg. The present second printing appears to be even rare

than the first, which is listed by Hoover, Smith and Ward and Carozzi. Not in the usual chemical

bibliographies" (Neville Coll. I, 634)

For this second edition "hat Herttwig kaiserliche, königliche und andere fürstliche Bergordnungen in das Werk

aufgenommen und hinsichtlich ihrer Konkordanz und Diskrepanz untersucht" (Koch p. 113).

§ Hoover 417; Koch 208; Ferchl 232; Bibl. Dt. Museum, Libri rari 134; Humpert 3816..

DIETETICS - GASTRONOMY - BOTANY - POETRY

13. HESSUS, Helius Eobanus; FIERA, Battista; GUINTERIUS, Johann (et. al.). Bonae valetudinis conservandae

praecepta ad magnificum D. Georgium Strutiaden, ... Medicinae laus ad Martinum Hunum. Coena Baptistae Fierae

de herbarum virtutibus, & ea medicae artis parte, quae in victus ratione consistit. Item polybus de salubri victus

ratione privatorum, Ioanne Guinterio Andernaco Medico interprete. Aristotelis problemata, quae ad stirpium genus

& oleracea pertinent. Paris: Simon Coline, 1533. 8vo, [64] leaves. Italic text with floral type ornaments used on

title-page. Early owner has penned in one of the included texts omitted by the printer on the title-page. Very nice

copy. 19th century half calf (rubbed), all edges gilt.

$1250

The only Coline edition of this enlarged collection of dietetic and botanical texts written in praise of the medical

and pharmaceutical arts, including information pertinent to the field of gastronomy. The major work is Eobanus

Hessus' popular work on health and diet, Bonae valetudinis, which first appeared at Erfurt in 1524. This is followed

by another important and early work in the field of dietetics, Coena de herbarum virtutibus, by the doctor and poet

Battista Fiera (1450-1540). It presents descriptions of herbs, foods, spices and their use in medicine and was first

joined with Eobanus' work in a Strassburg, 1530 edition. The Chorus nobilium medicorum in musaeo Sturtiano on

leaves 21-22 and Chorus Musarum on leaves 22-23 are also versified by Eobanus Hessus. This edition includes the

"Medicinae laus being Erasmus's Encomium versified by Eobanus" (Osler); the 'Hortulus aoemnissimus' by the

German medieval poet and monk, Walahfrid Strabo (807?-849), in which he describes his monastery garden. All of

the contents appear in verse form except for the last two works: Polybus De salubri victus ratione (from the

Hippocratic corpus), edited and translated by the noted German humanist Johann Guinterius (Guenther:1505-1574);

and the, Ad stirpium genus, & oleracea pertinent, which consists of selections from Aristotle's Problemata dealing

with fruits and vegetables. This edition is included in a number of important gastronomy bibliographies such as

Oberlé's Les Fastes de Bacchus (no. 317) which describes the work in great detail.

Helius Eobanus Hessus (1488-1540), an eminent German humanist as well as friend and correspondent of

Erasmus, lectured on classics at the University of Erfurt. "In 1523 Eobanus took up the study of medicine, hoping to

alleviate his increasing financial hardship. While they did not lead to a medical degree, his efforts produced a widely

7

read poem, Bonae valetudinis conservandae praecepta (Erfurt: J. Loersfeld 1524)" (Contemporaries of Erasmus I,

p. 435).

§ Renouard, Colines, pp. 211-12; Durling no. 2285; Osler 4774; Cagle, A Matter of Taste, no. 183a; Oberlé,

Néo-Latins, no. 106; Oberlé, Les Fastes de Bacchus, no. 317; Vicaire, Bibl. Bacchia, 216; Vicaire, Bibl. Gastr. col.

331; BM/STC French p. 151; not in Adams or Schreiber, Colines.

CHEMISTRY-METALLURGY

14. [KELLNER, David]. Collectanea chymico-metallurgica curiosa; oder zusammen getragene Chymisch und

Metallurgische Processe von Gold-Kiesen, Kobalt- und Talck-Ertzen. Nebst einem Anhang von Vitris Metallicis und

Schmeltz-Flüssen. Ein Werck dergleichen nie also gesehen worden ... zum Druck befördert von einem Freunde der

Chymie und Metallurgie am fruchtbaren Hartze. Leipzig: Joh. Herbort Kloss, 1715. 8vo, [16], 352 pp. Small early

collection stamp (initials "CAR" with a crown) on title-page; some mild browning and foxing found in German

paper of this period. Few dampstains. Modern paste paper covered boards in a style of the period.

$1950

FIRST EDITION of this rare practical work on gold, cobalt and ore assaying by the author who calls himself

"Friend of Chemistry and metallurgy in the fruitful Hartz" ("Freund der Chymie und Metallurgie am Fruchtbaren

Hartze"). The Hartz Mountains were a major mining region in Germany. Most older references and German libraries

catalogue this work under its title however American libraries attribute the work to the important German scientist,

David Kellner, about whose life little is know but whose chemistry texts are of substantial interest and highly

valued.

"Kellner's interest in scientific writing manifested itself mainly in the field of metallurgical chemistry. He wished

above all to free this literature, and indeed all scientific publication, from the fantasies of alchemists. To this end he

wrote for a lay audience and for future scientists, rather than for an exclusive circle of initiates. In all, the number of

writings by other authors that he collected and edited exceeded that of his own published works.

"... among those who wrote on science in his time, Kellner was one of the more serious authors and was certainly

so considered by his contemporaries. This judgment is justified by the tenor of most of Kellner's writings. They were

meant to be, as their titles indicate, contributions to the science of assaying. Kellner sought to state, as clearly as

possible, prescriptions and methods for experimentation. He asserted, however, that 'it is highly necessary for all

who are devoted to chemistry and medicine, and not just for those whose own profession is metal assaying, to know

what is contained in the mineral kingdom, and how it might be purified, smelted, and even improved.'" (D.S.B.).

As noted in various references, and at some length in the Dictionary of Scientific Biography, very few

biographical specifics are know about this mid-seventeenth century physician and metallurgist. He studied medicine

in Helmstedt, where he received a degree in 1670, during Hermann Conring's tenure there. Conring undoubtedly had

an influence on him because of their similar violent battles against alchemy and esoteric medicine. He later worked

in Nordhausen where most of his publications originate (not far from the Hartz).

§ Neu 965; Ferguson Collection, I, p. 159 (under title); HAB, Kat. Chemie zwischen Magie & Wiss. no. 144

(with illus. of the title); not in the Ferguson (Young Collection), Hoover, Duveen or Neville Collections.

ALCHEMY - PHARMACEUTICALS

15. KIRCHWEGER, Anton Joseph. Microscopium Basilii Valentini, sive commentariolum et cribrellum über den

großen Kreuzapfel der Welt. Berlin: No printer, 1790. 8vo, 172 pp., with last 2 blank leaves. Fine uncut and

unopened copy. Modern cloth backed early wrappers.

$1350

FIRST EDITION (and only). "A curious work, which attempts to apply the philosophical principles of Basil

Valentine to pharmaceutical chemistry. In four chapters Kirchweger (d. 1746) discusses the ores of antimony, the

element itself, and its compounds. Alchemical symbolism is extensively used throughout. According to Ferguson the

author was a doctor of medicine at Gmunden, in UpperAustria. Rare. Not in Caillet, Ferchl, Guiata, Partington,

Poggendorff, Waite, Waller. Watt, etc." (Neville Collection II, 726-27).

Kirchweger, in this collection of pharmaceutical and alchemical studies, wants to prove that preparations of

antimony (whose knowledge he owes to Basilius Valentinus) can create a panacea. In this respect, Kirchweger was

still very much influenced by the ideas of the Rosecrucians. Goethe was himself influenced by these writings during

his own early period of alchemical experimentation. The author also wrote a number of other works in the fields of

chemistry and alchemy.

§ Bolton 996; Ferguson I, 470 (not in Youg Coll.); Ferguson Coll., 372; Duveen 323; Blake 243; Neu 2159;

Rosenthal 489;Wellcome III, 397.

8

LULL'S MAJOR WORKS WITH COMMENTARIES BY GIODANO BRUNO / WITH 3 VOLVELLES

16. LULLUS, Raimundus; BRUNO, Giordano. Opera eaquae ad adinventam ab ipso artem universalem, scientiarum

artiumque omnium brevi compendio, firmáque memoria apprehendendarum locupletissimaque vel oratione

extempore pertractandarum, pertinent. Ut et in eandem quorundam interpretum scripti commentarij ... Accessit

index cum capitum, tùm rerum ac verborum locupletissimus. Strassburg: Sumptibus Lazari Zetzneri, 1598. 8vo,

[24], 992, [32] pp. With woodcut printer's device on title, 3 folding tables and about 60 text diagrams (3 volvelles

with moveable parts). Several early owner's inscriptions on title-page; with the engraved bookplate of Joachim

Freiherrn von Windhag (1600-1678) in the larger variant (Warnecke 2491). Contemporary vellum (rebacked at an

early period; without ties).

$5850

FIRST COLLECTED EDITION of the major works by Raymund Lull, the Catalan

mystic, encyclopedist, and founder of the system of logical inquiry known as Lullism.

Lull invented the "Art of finding truth", by which religious truths might be demonstrated

to the rational mind, in order to convert infidels by giving Christian’s apologetics a

rational basis for disputations with Muslims. His "Art" gave what he called "necessary

reason" for explaining and accepting dogmas; Lull applied his system to all branches of

learning, and his theories can be said to lie somewhere between faith and logic.

Lull's highly idiosyncratic system was influenced by many non-Scholastic ideas, such

as Jewish Cabalism and Arabic medicine and astrology; his pioneering use of concentric

circles and symbolic alphabetical notations make him a forerunner of symbolic logic, and

even computer science.

A prolific writer, Lull wrote in Catalan, Arabic, and Latin his theories were taken up

by the Lullists who, for some time, exercised a great influence in mediaeval Europe,

particularly in Spain where chairs were founded in the Universities of Barcelona and

Valencia for Lull's doctrine.

Contained in this work are: Ars brevis - Ars cabalistice - Liber lamentionis

philosophiae - Logica brevis et nova - Tractatus de venationi - Tractatus de conversione

- In Rhetoricam Isagoge - Oratio exemplaris - Ars magna generalis - Articulis Fidei. The

Ars Magna, Lull's major and definitive work, fully sets forht his system and the

principles of his Art.

Following this are commontaries by H.C. Agrippa von Nettesheim and Giodano

Bruno, the author of numerous works on Lullism, which he believed he understood better

than Lull himself. Three of Bruno's treatises are included here: De lulliano specierum

scrutinio - De lampade combinatoria lulliana - De progressu logicae venationis et de

progressu et lampade venatoria logicorum. (Salvestrini 184, 161 and 168). [see: Interlibrum, Alchemy & Source

Books in Chemistry, part xiv, no. 112]

A very handsome complete copy with three folding tables and three volvelles, each with multiple moving parts.

The volume has a very nice provenance with the etched bookplate of the German lawyer and politician, Johann

Joachim Enzmilner, Reichsgraf von Windhaag (1600 – 1678), who was a leading figure of the Counter-Reformation

in the Upper Austria and Lower Austria Landen. For his services he was successively raised in the nobility and came

into a large fortune which was used to build an impressive library. His Bibliotheca Windhagiana became one of the

foundations of the university library of the University of Vienna after his death. The still existing Windhag

scholarship for Lower Austria is due to him. “Bibliotheca Windhagiana Catalogo” appears on the head of the title

page in a contemporary hand but has a line drawn through at a somewhat later period when the volume was

deaccessioned.

§ BM/STC 533; Adams L-1694; VD 16 R 155; Ritter 1406; Muller 644, 46; Duveen 371; Bolton 1001; Brüning

716; Wellcome I, 3908; Ferchl 327; Dorbon 2793; Rogent-D. 144; Salvestrini (Bruno) 1.

17. LA METHERIE, Jean-Claude de. Essai analytique sur l'air pur, et les différentes espèces d'air. Paris: Rue et

Hôtel Serpente (= Cuchet), 1785. 8vo, [8]( 1st leaf blank), 474, [2] pp. Uncut copy printed on a pale blue paper. Fine

copy. Modern morocco backed marbled paper covered boards.

$975

FIRST EDITION. "The book is a survey of existing information concerning various kinds of airs and the

experiments and discoveries of Lavoisier, Priestley, Scheele and others." (Cole 742).

"An interesting and curious work, published in the midst of the Chemical Revolution, on oxygen, hydrogen,

carbon dioxide, and other gases. A non practicing physician, La Metherie (1743-1817) was a staunch opponent of

Lavoisier's theories, but he was impartial enough to publish an extract of the new Nomenclature chimique in the

influential Observations sur la Physique (later Journal de Physique), of which he became the editor. In the present

work he discusses the chemical theories and experimental discoveries of Lavoisier, Priestley, Scheele, and others

9

and asserts correctly (contrary to Lavoisier) that all acids do not necessarily contain oxygen He maintains that all

combustibles contain inflammable air (hydrogen), which he identifies with phlogiston and believes it is a constituent

of all metals as they release it on contact with acids. La Metherie's interpretation of chemical reactions is discussed

by Partington. As the Journal de Physique opposed the new doctrines of Lavoisier, in 1789 he and his associates

founded the Annales de Chimie, in which papers based on the new antiphlogistic chemistry were published."

(Neville).

§ Duveen 335; Partington III, 494; Wellcome III, 438; Neu 2211; Blake 253; Cole 742; Neville II, p. 5-6; Ferchl

292.

MEDICAL-PHARMACEUTICAL SECRETS WITH IMPORTANT TEXT ON HYGIENE

18. LEMNIUS, Levinus. De miraculis occultis naturae libri IIII. Item de vita cum animi et corporis incolumitate recte

instituenda. Jena: Tobias Steinman (for Nicolaus Knoper), 1588. 8vo, [16], 868, [73] pp. Woodcut printer's device

on title. Text browned as usual with German paper of this period; early underlining and marginalia; 17th-century

inscription on title, printer's device tinted yellow. Contemporary blind-tooled pigskin over wooden boards with

panel stamps depicting allegorical figures of the Virtues, spine darkened, raised bands rubbed, stain on front cover.

$975

Influential book of secrets which deals with chemical, physical, medical, moral, religious, etc. by the Dutch

physician and botanist, Levinus Lemnius (1505-1568), who had studied with Vesalius, Gesner and Dodoens.

"One of the earliest and most famous of the books of secrets that were so popular in the sixteenth, seventeenth,

and eighteenth centuries, it is important for the beliefs (both fact and fiction) of the sixteenth-century mind. There is

much of interest on alchemy, chemistry, metallurgy, and related subjects." (Neville, II, p. 49; French trans.)

Partington (II, p. 113) notes the works importance in the history of chemistry with its references to distillation,

metallic mercury and its slats, alum, saltpeter, potable gold, the manufacture of salts, soap, potash, etc.

The work was first published in Antwerp in 1559 in two books, was expanded to four books in the 1564 edition

and enlarged in 1581 with the author's treatise on hygiene which appears here at the end (pp. 717-868); "Exhortatio

ad vitam optime instituendam." Regarding which, Lindeboom notes (Dutch Med. Biog. col. 1170), that while the

author adhered to some astrological views he did have "fairly good ideas on hygiene".

Bound in a very attractive contemporary blind stamped pigskin decorated with allegorical figures of the Virtues.

§ Durling 2774; Thorndike VI, 393-94; Partington, II, 113; see Caillet 470 & Ackermann, Geh. Wiss, I, 555,

Ferguson, Books of Secrets, I, pt. 3, pp. 3132 (other eds.).

AMERICAN BOTANY BY LINNAEUS' FAVORITE PUPIL

19. LÖFLING, Per; LINNÉ, Carl von (ed.); KÖLPIN, Alexander (transl.). Reisebeschreibung nach den spanischen

Ländern in Europa und America in den Jahren 1751 bis 1756 nebst Beobachtungen und Anmerkungen über die

merkwürdigen Gewächse, herausgegeben von Herrn Carl von Linné, Sr. Königlichen Majestät in Schweden

Archiater, Ritter vom Königl. Nordsternorden u.s.w. Aus dem Schwedischen übersetzt durch D. Alexander Bernhard

Kölpin, ... Zwote Auflage. Berlin: Im Verlag Gottl. August Lange, 1776. 16, [16], 406, [2] pp. (last leaf blank). Leaf

A3 in first gathering misbound after A5; with 2 folding engraved plates. Usual browning and foxing found in

German paper of this period. Contemporary gilt tooled half calf with spine label and speckled boards.

$975

Reissue of the original sheets of the 1766 FIRST GERMAN EDITION (except for the 1st gathering which has

been reset for this edition); this is also the title-issue with the author's name correctly spelled. The original Swedish

work appeared at Stockholm in 1758 (Iter Hispanicum, eller Resa til Spanska länderna uti Europa och America).

The work is the account of a mostly botanically oriented trip through Spain, Portugal and northern Venezuela,

particularly the area around Cumana, the capital of the then New Andalusia (today Venezuela). Per Löfling's (1729-

1756) work was edited with a preface and posthumously published by his professor, Carl von Linné (1707-1778):

"Linnaeus attained worldwide influence not only through his writings but also through his students. ... He sent many

of students abroad, rejoicing in the plants and other natural specimens that he received from them but grieving

bitterly when they died of disease or hardship ... Per Loefling, Linnaeus' favorite pupil, died in Venezuela." (DSB,

VIII, p. 379)–"Keine Zeitung ist mir betrübter gewesen, als die, meinen liebsten und besten Schüler eingebüßet zu

haben" (Linnaeus' introduction). The descriptions of American plants appear on pages 237 to 369.

The translator, Alexander Bernhard Kölpin (1739-1801), was a German physician and botanist who from 1765

became director of the Greifswald botanical gartens and from 1767 also adjunct professor of the Greifswalder

medicine faculty and was a correspondent with Carl von Linné.

§ Sabin 41773; Soulsby 3590; Henze III, 277; JCBL Cat., 1493-1800, III, 2272; Palau y Dulcet (2nd ed.)

139577n.; Palmer, German works on America, 353; cf. Stafleu-Cohen, 4921

10

FIRST DICTIONARY OF THEORETICAL AND GENERAL CHEMISTRY

20. MACQUER, Pierre Joseph. Dictionnaire de chymie. contenant la théorie & la pratique de cette science, son

application à la physique, à l'histoire naturelle, à la médecine & aux arts dépendans de la chymie ... seconde

édition, revue & considérablement augmentée. Paris: Didot, 1778 - [1780]. 8vo, 4 volumes in 2. xxxvii, [3], 568

pp.; [6], 655 pp.; [6], 520 pp.; [4], 776 pp. Errata leaves to each part bound after each title-page. Minor brown spots

on blank margins of half-titles. Contemporary calf, gilt spine (spines very worn and corners bumped but binding

sound).

$575

Greatly enlarged edition of this influential and popular chemistry reference work. "The most important of

Macquer’s works: there had been technical dictionaries before but this was the first dictionary of theoretical and

general chemistry" (Duveen p. 377: 1766 ed.).

"Although designated as the second edition on each title page, this is the fifth appearance of the Dictionnaire in

the French language. It is the genuine second edition as written by Macquer, whose name now appears on the title

and whose reputation had by this time greatly increased. An important addition is the 168-page article on gas, a

topic that was almost entirely new and had not been mentioned in the first edition. The title has also been

abbreviated. While the number of articles remains almost the same, the work is nearly twice as long owing to

the inclusion of an up-to-date account of chemistry and much new material. The preparation of a

comprehensive index by J.B. Le Febure de Villebrune (1732-1809) in volume IV (pp. 335-776) delayed the

publication of that volume until 1780, although the title page is dated 1778" (Neville Coll. II, p. 113).

§ Cole, Chem. lit. 868; Ferguson II, 60 (not in Young Coll.); Ferguson Coll. 81; Blake, 282; DSB, VIII, 623;

Neville & Smeaton, no. 5; Partington, III, 81.

ILLUSTRATED BOTANICAL / AMERICANA

21. MUNTING, Abraham. De vera herba britannica. Adjuncta est ejusdem Aloidarum historia [with] Aloidarium;

sive, Aloës mucronato folio Americanae majoris, aliarumque ejusdem speciei historia. Amsterdam: Apud Johannem

Wolters, 1698 (part II: 1680). 4to, 2 volumes in 1. [18], 231., [2], 33 [19] pp. (last 3 page are errata). Engraved

vignette on first title-page with 32 engraved botanical plates. Some very light toning; wide margined copy.

Contemporary speckled calf with gilt spine (worn; front hinge cracked but cords are sound, corners very bumped).

$1250

Reissue of the first edition (1681-80) sheets with a new title-page

(mentioning the second part for the first time) and with the preliminaries are

partly reset. "The first work is an attempt to find the 'Herba Britannica' of the

ancients and the plates illustrate all the possible candidates (the answer appears

to be a dock). The second work describes new succulents form America. The

two were published together (despite sep. signatures & pagination) as the errata

and indices refer to both." (Plesch, Stiftung fur Botanik, no. 561)

While the second work deals exclusively with American succulents the first

part also includes descriptions and illustrations of a number of American

botanicals including several types of American aloe, potatoes, "Acetosa Visicaria

Mexicana", etc. The text, especially the later part, is also of pharmaceutical

interest with the formulations provided of a number of distinctively British

medicines according to the author.

Abraham Munting (1626 - 1683), a Dutch botanist and botanical artist, had

studied medicine and botany as a young man and traveled extensively. Returning

to Holland, he joined the faculty at the University of Groningen, where he

remained for 24 years as an eminent professor of botany and chemistry. There he

directed one of the most extensive botanical gardens of the period from 1658 to

1683 and published a number of important illustrated botanical works.

While the contemporary binding is a bit worn it is sound and the interior has

been well preserved.

§ Pritzel 6558; Landis, European Americana, 698/154 & 680/138;

ALCHEMY - PHILOSOPHER'S STONE

22. PHILOSOPHER'S STONE. Etwas Chymisches Etwas in Nichts, das ist: Wie der hochberühmte Stein der Weisen

als eine edle Gave Gottes, entfernet, und in hohen Dingen vergeblich gesuchet, aber nahe, und in geringen,

glücklich wird gefunden, in Etwas, doch gründlich entworffen, und mit einem vollständigen Register versehen, von

Einem der sich Mit In Gott BeLustiget. Dresden & Leipzig: Gottfried Leschen, 1722. 8vo, 38, [10] pp. Woodcut

tailpiece. Modern stiff decorated paper in the style of the period.

$1750

11

FIRST EDITION of this very rare alchemical tract on creating the "Philosopher's Stone", a legendary alchemical

substance capable of turning base metals such as mercury into gold or silver. It is also able to extend one's life and

called the elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and for achieving immortality. Because of these qualities it become

the most sought-after goal in alchemy. It served as the central symbol of the mystical terminology of alchemy,

symbolizing perfection at its finest. The author cites various contemporary chemists and earlier alchemists.

The anonymous author appears to be hiding his name, or at least his initials, in last line of text: "entworffen, und

mit einem vollständigen Register versehen, von Einem der sich Mit In Gott BeLustiget.": With initials "M. I. G. B.

L." in last four words. "Designed, and provided with a complete index, by one who is concerned with the In God."

The work is rare and lacking in most alchemical and chemistry bibliographies.

§ VD18 10243240-003; Neu, Chemical, Medical, and Pharmaceutical books, no. 921; Ferchl, Chem.-Pharm.

Bio.-u. Bibl. p. 96 (under title); not in Duveen, Neville, Ferguson (Young Collection) or Ferguson Collection.

CHEMISTRY / THE BOLOGNA STONE

23. POTIER, Pierre. Opera omnia practica et chymica, cum annotationibus & additamentis utilissimis pariter ac

curiosis. Friderici Hoffmanni, filii ... Accessit nova doctrina de febribus, ex principiis mechanicis solide deducta.

Venice: Balleoni, 1741. 4to, 620 pp. Uncut copy. Some minor foxing (mostly on end-papers). Woodcut vignette on

title. Contemporary boards.

$475

Second edition (1st: Frankfurt, 1698), first to be published in Italy, of this important collection of the works of

Potier with the extensive commentary by the famous German chemist Friedrich Hoffmann (1660-1742) with new

added material. "The first Latin edition printed in Italy of Potier's Opera Omnia, updated and edited by Friedrich

Hoffmann (Frankfurt, 1698). The dedication is dated 1698. Essentially a reprint of the Huguetan edition (Lyons,

1645) but with two important additions: (1) Petri Guissonii ... epistolica dissertation de anonymo libello ... ; and (2)

Friderici Hoffmanni tractatio brevis et luculenta de febribus, ... Pierre Guisson, M.D., of Avignon, who spent time

with Boyle in Oxford, put forward similar views in 1666 on the chemical elements (see Partington, II, 501). The

appearance of Potier's works a century after they were originally published attests to their continued usefulness.

Hoffmann's notes, with references to Boyle, are important" (Neville Collection II, 328).

Potier "was a physician and chemist, a native of Anjou. Early in the seventeenth century he went to Italy, and

settled there, and in spite of his youth -- he was barely 20 -- gained esteem as a successful practitioner. He took up

his residence at Bologna, was created a French councilor and Royal physician, was a strong supporter of spagyric

remedies as against those then in fashion, and vaunted his 'antihecticum' (antimony oxide containing tin) and other

secret remedies of his own invention. He was one of the first to describe the method of making the Bologna stone.

His works contain an account of remarkable cures, observations, and a treatise of fevers, besides the above"

(Ferguson, II, p. 219).

Some minor foxing otherwise a fine uncut, and partly unopened, copy in original flexible publisher's boards.

§ Blake 360; Ferchl, p. 421; Harvey, A History of Luminescence, pp. 308-09; Partington II, pp. 335-36; Schelenz

p. 495; Wellcome IV, 422.

THE DISCOVERY OF OXYGEN / COMPLETE SETS OF BOTH SERIES OF EXPERIMENTS

24. PRIESTLEY, Joseph. Experiments and observations on different kinds of air. London: Printed for J. Johnson,

1781-84-77. 8vo, 3 volumes. xxiii, [5], 324 pp.: xliv, 399 pp., [8] leaves: xxxiv, 411 pp., [6] leaves (last 2 leaves

are a catalogue of Priestley's published works). With 6 full-page or folding engraved plates. Modern calf backed

marbled boards in an antique style of the period.

BOUND WITH FIRST VOLUME.

PRIESTLEY, J. Philosophical empiricism: containing remarks on a charge of plagiarism refpecting Dr. H--s,

interspersed with various obfervations relating to different kinds of air. London; J. Johnson, 1775. 8vo. [4], 84 pp.

OFFERED WITH

PRIESTLEY, J. Experiments and observations relating to the various branches of natural philosophy; with a

continuation of the observations on air. London (& Birmingham): J. Johnson, 1779-1786. 8vo. 3 volumes. xxxii,

490, [3] pp. (errata & cat. of books by Priestley: xvi, [11], xviii-xx, 408, [3] leaves (cat. of books by Priestley) pp.:

xxxii, 454 pp. 1 blank leaf. 3 volumes. 3 folding engraved plates. Usual foxing and offsetting from plates.

$1650

Complete set of both series of Priestley's Experiments and observations on different kinds of air which include

his important experiments on various gases which include those regarding the discovery of oxygen. As is usually the

case the first three volume series set is a mixed edition (Priestley didn't anticipate the publication of more than one

volume) with the present set consisting of; volume one is the "Third Edition, Corrected" volume two is the "Second

Edition" and volume three is the "First Edition". The second series consist of all first editions.

12

The first volume deals with experiments on carbon dioxide, hydrogen, sulfide, and

nitric acid which were carried out up to 1774. The later editions of the first volumes

contain corrections that Priestley had made: "Volume II, the first to be numbered, is

extremely important as it announces Priestley's discovery of oxygen by heating the

calx of mercury (mercuric oxide). Experiments on the new gas are described in detail

(pp. 29-103). Although he first prepared oxygen on 1 August 1774, Priestley thought

it was another form of ‘air.’... Priestley correctly surmised a connection of oxygen

with the respiration of animals and plants but failed to recognize its importance.

Volume III describes his further research on oxygen and other gases (e.g., nitric oxide

and nitrous oxide), including the collection of water-soluble gases over mercury (e.g.

ammonia, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and hydrogen chloride), thus leading to

their isolation and characterization of their properties" (Neville, Hist. Chem. Lib.: see

also R.G. Neville, Steps Leading to the Discovery of Oxygen, 1774: A Bicentennial

Tribute to Joseph Priestley, in J. Chem. Education, 51 [1974], 428-431).

Bound with this set, as is often the case, is the author's "Philosophical Empiricism" with its own title-page; "A

disputation rebuttal by Priestley to charges made by Dr. Bryan Higgins, who ... had made a number of

uncomplimentary statements about Priestley and his work on gases, ... Higgins had made several claims to the

discovery of some of the gases that Priestley had, in fact, discovered" (Neville, II, p. 340-41). Priestley reluctantly

responds here to those charges of plagiarism so as to set the record straight.

FIRST EDITION of "The Second series of Priestley's famous Observations, completing the six volumes of his

great researches on gases. ... Volume I contains a number of important new experiments, including an important

note concerning the rival claims on the discovery of oxygen between the author, Scheele, and Lavoisier. Volume II

comprises an analysis of Priestley's researches to 1781, and volume III describes his further experiments on gases to

1786," (Neville). Partington describes in great detail on Priestley's experiments on gases and points out his the

changes in his opinions on the nature of dephlogisticated air (oxygen) as reflected in his publications of 1774 to

1790.

§ DSB, XI, 145; Partington, III, 244; Blake 363; Cole 1064; Duveen 484; Neu 3363; Wellcome IV, 463; Crook,

S455, S452, S453, S465-467.

IMPORTANT COLLECTION OF ALCHEMICAL TEXTS

25. RICHARDUS ANGLICUS; LLULL, Ramon; GERBER. Correctorium alchymiae Richardi Anglici: Das ist:

Reformierte Alchimy oder Alchimeibesserung Missbräuch: vom ... Richardo auss Engellandt beschriben. II.

Rainmundi Lulli Apertorium, & accuratio vegetabilium. Von eröffnung vn entdeckung wachsender Sachen, vn des

philosophische steyns, des wolbekannten Philosophi vnd Eremiten Rainmundi Lulli Tractat. III. Des Königs Gebers

auss Hispanien Secretum, dessen sich die Venetianer hoch aussthun. Alles nun erstmals zu dienst vn nutz allen

reyner vnnd geheymnussreicher Artznei vbenden vnd beliebenden inn Truck gefärtigt. Strassburg: Heirs of Bernhar

Jobin, 1596. 8vo, [8]. 151 leaves. Title printed in red and black. Text with usual browning found in German books

of this period. Some early underlining; with ownership marks of famous science historian Walter Pagel and type

stamp of "Fischer Fondeur en caracteres a Geneve" on paste-down and title-page. 19th century calf backed boards.

$5500

Second edition in spite of the announcement on the title-page (or possibly a reissue of Jobin's 1581 edition with a

new title-page) of this important collection of five alchemical texts in German translation; the first two are here

attributed to 'Ricardi Anglici': These are the 'Correction' and 'Reform' of Alchemy. The 'Correction' was printed in

earlier collections, possibly first in Alchimia (Nuremberg; 1541, see Ferguson I, p. 18) but this appears the first

appearance of the 'Reform'. The other texts are from the pseudo-Lullian alchemical corpus, the treatise on the

philosopher's stone apparently is printed here for the first time.

This Richard has generally been identified with the English physician, Richard of Wendover (d. 1252), canon of

St. Paul's and possibly for a time physician to Pope Gregory IX. Faye Getz in ODNB distinguishes him from

Richardus Anglicus (fl. c. 1180), also a physician and author of the medical treatise Micrologus, but was unsure of

the authorship of the alchemical works. Getz's article on both men makes no mention of the Correctorium alchymiae

-- or any other alchemical writings by Richard of Wendover. To add further confusion, in anotehr ODNB article,

J.D. North ascribes a work with the same title, Correctorium alchymiae, to Robert York, called Perscrutator (fl.

1313-1325), but apparently it is a different texst since he gives a different publication history for it.

The two pseudo-Lullian texts included here are the Apertorium (first printed in 1546: Peirera I.2) and Tractatus

de lapide philosophico which appears here for the first time (Periera II. 49; not citing any printed editions). The final

text is Geber's Secretum.

§ VD 16, R 2159; Ferchl 443; Caillet 9406; Ferguson II, 270; Muller 602, 24; Schmieder 153; not in Rogent and

Duran.

13

CAGLIOSTRO'S MAGIC PERFORMANCE IN MITAU IN 1779

26. RECKE, Charlotta Elisabeth Konstantia von der. Nachricht von des berüchtigten Cagliostro Aufenthalte in

Mitau, im Jahre 1779, und von dessen dortigen magischen Operationen, von Charlotta Elisabeth Konstantia von der

Recke, geb. Gräfinn von Medem. Berlin & Stettin: bey Friedrich Nicolai, 1787. 8vo, XXXII, 168 pp. Diagram on p.

141 and numerous blank pages or spaces; uncut copy; light to moderate foxing; light browning; damp mark in

bottom outer blank margins; deckle edges curling at beginning and end of volume. Original plain wrappers (pieces

chipped from spine).

$1550

FIRST EDITION of this famous account of the notorious Cagliostro during his stay at Mitau (Jelgava in Latvia),

in 1779, and his magic performance surrounding his establishing a Masonic lodge there devoted to alchemical

research.

Charlotte Elisabeth Constanzia von der Recke (née Gräfin von Medem: 1754-1833), German poet and writer,

was born into a German-speaking noble family in the Duchy of Courland (now Lithuania). In 1779 she came into

contact with the charismatic occultist, Alessandro conte di Cagliostro (1743-1795), during his visit in Mitau.

Apparently inspired by the success of the literature surrounding Cagliostro and the diamond neckless affair she

composed the present diary. The work had a great impact across Europe with Catherine the Great even granting

Elisa lands in Russia in recognition of the work (making Elisa financially independent). Her reputation as an

intellectual led to her meeting Goethe, Schiller, Wieland, Herder and other European literary figures, with whom she

carried on a prolific correspondence.

"Caliostro often boasted of his great age. He claimed to have been one of the guests a the marriage feast at Cana

and to have witnessed the Crucifixion. From England he went to the Hague, where he inaugurated a lodge of female

masons, over which his wife presided as Grand Mistress. Throughout Holland he was received by the lodges with

Masonic honors—beneath 'arches of steel.' He discoursed volubly upon magic and masonry to enraptured thousands.

In March, 1779, he made his appearance at Mitau, in the Baltic Provinces, which he regarded as the steppingstone to

St. Petersburg. He placed great hope in Catherine II. of Russia ... He hoped to promulgate widely his new and

mysterious religious cult in the land of the Czars, with all the pomp and glamour of the East. The nobility of Kurland

received him with open arms. Some of them offered to place him on the ducal throne, so he claimed. He wisely

refused the offer. Cagliastro eventually made a fiasco at Mitau and left in hot haste. In St. Petersburg his stay was

short. Catherine II. was too clever a woman to be his dupe. She ordered the charlatan to leave Russia, which he

forthwith did." (Cagliostro—A Study in Charlatanism. by Henry Ridgely Evans. The Monist. Oxford University

Press, vol. 13, No. 4. July, 1903, pp. 523-552).

A Dutch edition appeared in Amsterdam (1791) and Swedish edition at Stockholm (1793). A limited edition fine

hand press publication ("Berlin Berliner Handpresse") was published in 1988.

§ Caillet 9194; Recke, III, 481; cf. Rosenthal, Bibl. Magica & Pneumatica 4241 (Dutch ed. only; 1791).

A MILESTONE IN THE HISTORY OF TOXICOLOGY

27. REDI, Francesco. Osservazioni intorno alle vipere. Florence: all'Insegna della Stella, 1664. 4to, 91, [5] pp. With

engraved title vignette (device of the Accademia della Crusca) and woodcut of variant form of the device on verso

of p. 91; Italian with Latin and Greek references; title printed in red and black; includes half-title and errata leaf at

end; printed on a fine thick paper; tiny worm hole in outer blank margin of some leaves at end; overall a fine, fresh

copy. Contemporary flexible vellum.

$2250

FIRST EDITION of the first scientific work on snake poison and thus a milestone in the

history of toxicology. "The first methodical work on snake-poison. Redi demonstrated for the

first time that, for the poison to produce its effects, it must be injected under the skin"

(Garrison-Morton). This issue is with the errata leaf and engraved title vignette (Prandi 1 has

Vignette in woodcut). See cf. Gamba, Testi di lingua (1839) no. 818 regarding variations in

copies bearing this date.

"Redi completed his doctorate in medicine and philosophy at Pisa in 1647. He spent the

next five years studying and traveling about Europe before entering the service of Ferdinand II,

Grand Duke of Tuscany. At Ferdinand's death, Redi continued at the Tuscan Court under the

former's son, Cosimo III. Redi has been called the father of helminthology and his

Osservazioni intorno agli animali viventi che si trovano negli animali viventi (1684) is one of

the earliest and best works on parasitology. Redi described more than 100 species of parasites

and was an avid student of the development of snakes, birds, insects, and fish. Redi was also

one of the earliest to challenge the doctrine of spontaneous generation. The present work on

the poison of vipers, as well as that on the generation of lower animals, places him at the

forefront of the biologists of his time. In this treatise, written in the form of a letter to

Lorenzo Magalotti (1637-1712), Redi described his experiments with various poisonous

14

snakes. He demonstrated that when the venom is mixed with food and ingested into the stomach it is harmless. In

additional experiments he showed that venom has no effect if placed on the surface of the skin but must be

introduced into the circulatory system in order to be effective. Redi's correspondent Magalotti was one of the early

members of the Accademia del Cimento, founded at Florence in 1657 by Ferdinando II de'Medici and his brother

Prince Leopoldo. Magalotti was the academy's secretary and frequently published scientific essays by Borelli, Redi,

and other scientists of the day in the academy's publications." (Heirs of Hippocrates 561).

§ Garrison-Morton 2102; Krivatsy 9460; Norman 1810; Prandi 2; Osler 3774.

IMPORTANT BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ALCHEMY, CHEMISTRY & MINERALOGY

28. ROTH-SCHOLTZ, Friederich. Bibliotheca Chemica oder Catalogus von Chymischen-büchern, darinnen man alle

die jenigen autores findet, die von dem stein der weisen, von verwandlung der schlechten metalle in bessere, von

berckwercken, von mineralien, von kräutern, von thieren, von gesund- und sauer-brunnen, von warmen-und andern

bädern, von der haufs-haltungs-kunst, und was sonsten zu denen drey reichen der nature gehöret, geschrieben

haben, und in der Roth-Scholtzischen bibliotheque verhanden seyn. Samt einigen Lebens-beschreibungen berühmter

philosophorum ans liecht gestellt. Erstes Stücke [-Funftes Stuck]. Nuremberg & Altdorf: Bey Johann Daniel Taubers

seel. Erben, 1727 (parts dated 1725, 1727, 1727, 1728, 1729: final colophon dated 1 Feb. 1733). 8vo, Five parts in

one volume continuous paginated. 14, 296, 207-238 pp. (blank leaves after 1st title and after p. 14). With engraved

frontispiece (some copies have portraits added, see below), woodcut vignette on title-page of first part, woodcut

headpiece on G2r (repeated on last leaf) and woodcut arms on G6r; general title-page printed in red and black; small

very neat repair to blank margin of title-page; usual light toning and foxing; contemporary note on front end-paper.

Contemporary full vellum with yapp edges, possibly recased.

$4500

RARE FIRST EDITION complete with all five parts of

this ‘important catalogue of books on alchemy, chemistry,

metallurgy, and mineralogy, by the Nuremburg book dealer

Roth-Scholtz (1687-1736) (Neville).

"The Bibliotheca was issued in five parts, which were

afterwards collected in one volume with the general title

given above. Each part has a separate title-page ...Roth-

Scholtz’s catalogue comes down only as far as Heyn

(Friederich). What was intended to be a new and revised

edition made its appearance in 1735, but, so far as I know, the

revision never got beyond the first fasciculus, which was

issued along with the subsequent parts of the first edition)

(Ferguson p. 27). The ‘author intended to incorporate

everything in Borel’s Bibliotheca Chemica (1654) not already

in his own work. Unfortunately, he died before the work

could be completed. 'it only includes names as far as ... the

letter ‘H’ ... it is the only really scholarly Alchemical

bibliography we have, other than that of Ferguson' (Heym,

Ambiz, I [1937], 49)" (Neville).

Roth-Scholtz had been forced to cut short his education

and become an apprentice in the book trade. In 1716 he became a factor in the printing house run by the recently

deceased printer, Johann Daniel Tauber, whose daughter he would later marry. In addition to publishing he was also

the author of a number of well regarded works: Including Icones Eruditorum Academiae Altdorfinae (1721);Icones

Virorum omnium ordinum eruditione meritorum (1725); and Deutsches Theatrum Chemicum (1728). He was an

avid book collector of books, as well as coins and heraldry among other things and left much of his book collection

to the university library in Altdorf. He maintained a wide-ranging correspondence and wanted to be a scholar (since

he was not able to speak Latin, he employed secretaries). His collecting activities and expensive printing projects

eventually ruined him financially. The frontispiece engraving, by Joseph Montalegre, shows Friedrich Roth-Scholtz

in his library.

Roth-Scholtz also in the business of selling engravings and would supply engraved portraits of three great

chemists (Nicholaus Flamellus, Joannes Fridericus Helvetius and Olaus Borrichius) and one of himself to serve as

frontispieces for each fascicle. The great rarity of copies with these portraits indicates either they were not available

at time of printing or were perhaps offered separately at a premium. While Ferguson (Young Collection) describes

the 'ideal copy' with the portraits he also notes their copy, in addition to lacking the fifth part, lacked all of them. Of

the three copies in the Ferguson Collection only one had any portraits (3). The Duveen copy, also lacking last part,

does have those of Flamel and Helvetius. The Neville second edition lacks the author's portrait. Caillet notes only a

portrait of the author with no mention of an engraved frontispiece or any other portraits and Petzholdt (Bibliotheca

15

Bibliographica), who describes the work in detail, only mentions an engraved frontispiece and the author's portrait.

At auction only one complete copy (1979) and a few separate fascicles have appeared (ABPC) and none had either

portraits or frontispiece. The OCLC notes The Linda Hall Library has only the first fascicle and records the Duveen

copy at the University of Wisconsin (Neu 3565) and the Neville (both 2nd eds.) at the Chemical Heritage Library.

§ Ferguson II, 297 (incomplete); Duveen 517 (incomplete); Caillet III, 9617; Ferchl 456; Petzholdt, Bibliotheca

Bibliographica, pp. 540-41; cf. Neville II, p. 398 (2nd edition); not in Blake, Mellon, Partington, Smith, Waller.

PRACTICAL USES OF MINERALS AND METALS

29. ROUSSEAU, Ludwig; CRONEGG, Maximilian Leopold von (ed.). Nützliche Anwendung der Mineralien in den

Künsten und wirthschaftlichen Dingen zum allgemeinen Gebrauche. ... Zusammengetragen von Maximilian Leopold

von Cronegg. Ingolstadt: im Verlage bey Anton Attenkhover, akademischen Buchbinder ... gedruckt bey Ferd.

Lutzenberger, 1773. 8vo, [14], 136, [2] pp. Minor soiling to two leaves. Contemporary morocco gilt with beautiful

ornate gilt arms (Bavarian?) on covers with gilt floral and architectural borders (small piece chipped off head of

spine), all edges gilt.

$1350

FIRST EDITION of this scarce work on the chemical properties and practical use of the minerals and metals.

The author, Georg Ludwig Claudius Rousseau (1724-1794), had first worked as a pharmacist in Ingolstadt where he

later becomes a lecturer and professor of chemistry and medicine at the University there. The texts were collected

and edited by Maximilian Leopold von Cronegg.

The work is unrecorded in most bibliographies and collections on the subject. A handsome copy in a particularly

beautiful contemporary gilt binding.

§ Cole, Chemical lit. supplement, S32; Poggendorff II, 706; Ferchl p. 110 (Cronegg) & 457 (Rouseau); not in

Ferguson, Duveen, Bolton, Neville, etc.

A MILESTONE WORK IN CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS AND METEOROLOGY

30. SAUSSURE, Horace Bénédict de. Essais sur l'hygrométrie. Ier. Essai, Description du'n nouvel hygrometre

comparable: II. Essai, Théorie de l'hygrométrie: III. Essai, Théorie de l'évaporation: IV. Essai, Application des

théories précédentes à quelques phénomenes de la météorologie. Neuchâtel: Fauche, 1783. 8vo, xii, 524 (i.e. 514)

pp. With 2 folding engraved plates. 11 tables (part folding). Traces of bookplate removed to front paste-down. Early

English booksellers label on rear paste-down ("E&R.N.Spon, 16, Bucklersbury: London"); very nice copy.

Contemporary mottled calf with gilt spine (some rubbing) with marbled endpapers.

$675

"A milestone work in chemistry, physics, and meteorology, which established hygrometry as an exact science.

Primarily a physicist and geologist who explored and published on the Alps. Saussure (1740-1799) was the first to

prove that air expands and becomes less dense the more humidity it contains. In these Essais he describes his

experiments with the hair hygrometer of his invention and his theory of evaporation and hygrometry with their

applications to meteorology. He also enunciates his theory of the evaporation of water in hydrogen, carbon dioxide,

and other gases. Partington discusses the chemical aspects of this work Cuvier regarded this book as one of the

greatest contributions to science of the eighteenth century. ... An 8vo. edition was published simultaneously with this

in 4to. format" (Neville, II, p. 427).

This is the 8vo. issue which, according to Neville was published simultaneously with the 4to. issue. Other

authorities call it a separately published second edition, regardless of any title notation regarding this fact.

Something most publishers are very proud to note in selling their product.

§ Ferchl 469; Blake 402; Daumus, Scientific Instruments, 215; DSB, XII, 123; Partington III, 763; Middelton p.

62; Waller 11432; Norman 1894; Darmstaedter 239; Sparrow, Milestones of Science no. 174 (4to issue).

CHEMICAL, MEDICAL, PHARMACEUTICAL AND NATURAL SECRETS

31. SCHMUCK, Martin. Secretorum naturalium chymicorum et medicorum, thesauriolus, oder Schatzkästlein,

darinnen 20 natürliche, 20 chymische und 20 medicinische Secreta, und Kunst-Stücklein zu befinden, Durch

vielfältige Reisen, Mühe und Gefahr colligiret, und an Tag gegeben, von M.S. Gedruckt in Frankfurt und Leipzig:

No printer, no date (ca. 1680-1700). 8vo, 80 pp. Modern flexible boards.

$1250

Rare edition of these chemical, medical, pharmaceutical and natural secrets which were collected by Martin

Schmuck and first published in 1637 at Schleusingen and would go through a number of editions (and various cities)

which often would also include his later work on magic and the occult. The printer of the present edition, very

possibly because of the rash of recent witch trials in Germany, decided to reprint only the original collection of

secrets and drop the occult work entirely. He also took the precaution of publishing it both anonymously and

undated. Neville notes that: "Much of the book is of chemical interest." (1652 ed.). It also includes a number of

alchemical recipes.

16

Martin Schmuck was born shortly before the close of the 16th century. He studied medicine at the University of

Leipzig and practiced several years at Hersbruck, in the Nuremberg district, and died there in 1640. According to

some authorities Schmuck was a chemist who was living in Nuremberg about 1652 (see Ferguson for bio.).

The present edition was printed on very good paper (unusual for the period). All of the editions are rare and from

the copies located they were printed on very poor quality paper that tended to brown which may also explain their

rarity.

§ Ferchl 481; Poggendorff, II, 823; cf. Duveen p. 536 (Erfurt; 1637, 1st ed.), Ferguson II, p. 338 (Nuremberg;

1652, 2nd. ed.), Ferguson, Secrets, I, pt. 2, p. 43.

SCIENCE TRICKS & CURIOSITIES / INCLUDES ACCOUNT OF HARVEY & THE CIRCULATION OF

THE BLOOD

32. [SCHOTT, Gaspar, S.J.]; KIRCHER, Athanasius. Joco-Seriorum Naturae Et Artis, Sive Magiae Naturalis,

Centuriae Tres: Das ist: Drey-Hundert Nütz- und Lustige Sätze Allerhand Merck-würdiger Stücke: Von Schimpff

und Ernst, Genommen Auß der Kunst und Natur, Oder Natürlichen Magia.. Benebens Einem Zusatz oder Anhang

Von Wunder-deutenden Creutzen. Auß R.P. Athanasii Kircheri, Societatis Jesu, Diatribe. Bamberg (& Frankfurt),:

Schönwetter, 1677. 4to, [8], 330 (i.e. 328), [8] pp. Added engraved title-page and 22 engraved plates (1 folding).

Usual light to moderate browning found in German books of this period; few minor marginal ink smears. Modern

half vellum and marbled boards.

$1550

Reissue of the FIRST GERMAN EDITION of 1672 of one of the author's

scarcer works. Schott (1608-66), a Jesuit and disciple of Kircher, rendered

important services regarding scientific investigation by his correspondence

with numerous experimenters and mechanicians, especially by publicizing the

achievements of contemporary physicists. The present work contains 300

descriptions of scientific demonstrations, ingenious devices, experiments,

tricks, natural curiosities, magic numbers secret handwriting, a perpetual

motion machine, etc. Included are various hydraulic and mechanical devices, a

combination lock, optical projections, mathematical demonstrations, making

artificial snow, much on more Camera obscura, chemistry and alchemical

remedies, etc. Of particular interest in an Annotatio provides a full account of

Harvey and the circulation of the blood. He includes authors who either accept

or contest the doctrine including Hermann Conring, Georg Ent, Fortunio Liceti,

Riolan, Jean Pecquet, and V.F. Plemp (see E. Weil's The Echo of Harvey's De

Motu Cordis 1628-1657).

Appended to the work (pp. 278-330) is a German translation of Athanasius

Kircher's Diatribe de prodigiosis crucibus, one of his rarest works, which first

appeared at Rome in 1661. He attempts to explain the appearance of crosses on

clothing and other objects immediately after an eruption of Vesuvius

(illustrated on a plate) that occurred in 1660.

§ Dünnhaupt 13.II.2; VD 17 23:270371D; Ferguson, II, pp. 339-40; cf.

DeBacker-Sommervogel, VII, col. 911 ff. (this edition not listed).

IMPORTANT CHEMISTRY TREATISE

33. SIGAUD DE LA FOND, Joseph Aigan. Essai sur différentes especes d'air, qu'on désigne sous le nom d'air fixe

fixe, pour servir de suite & de supplément aux elémens de Physique du méme auteur. Paris: P. Fr. Gueffier, 1779.

8vo, [4] leaves, XVI, 400 pp. With 5 folding engraved plates. Pages 25/26 with neat marginal repair. Contemporary

mottled calf with gilt spine (corners bumped; tiny crack at head of spine).

$575

FIRST EDITION. "This important treatise in which are described the preparation, properties, and chemical

reactions of several gases, including carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, hydrogen, oxygen, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen

chloride, hydrogen fluoride, and ammonia. There are numerous references to the earlier experiments of Boyle,

Hales, Helmont, Magellan, Nooth, et al. The author repeatedly extols the great work of Priestley and also speaks

highly of Black, Chaussier, Fontana, Gerardin, Lavoisier, Meyer, Venel, Volta, and others. In 1776 Sigaud assisted

Macquer in experiments showing that water is produced when hydrogen burns in air. Pages 227-284 describe these

experiments, which greatly helped Cavendish, Lavoisier, and Monge in their later investigations on the composition

of water" (Neville Collection, II, p. 475).

§ Duveen 550; Neu 3840; Cole 1213; Partington, pp. 105-6; Bolton 833; Ferchl 503; Blake 418; D.S.B. XII, p.

427.

17

ALCHEMY-CHEMISTRY

34. [SOELDNER, Johann Anton]. Fegfeuer Der Chymisten, Worinnen Für Augen gestellt die wahren Besitzer der

Kunst; Wie auch die Ketzer, Betrieger, Sophisten und Herren gern-Grosse. Eröffnet von Einem Feinde des

Vitzliputzli, der Ehrlicher Leute Ehre und der Auffgeblasenen Schande entdecken will. Amsterdam: No printer,

1701. 8vo., [48] pp. (last page blank). Woodcut ornament on title-page; faint damp mark in bottom outer blank

margins toward end of volume. Modern stiff speckled wrappers.

$1750

FIRST EDITION, very rare first issue dated 1701, of this collection of alchemical texts citing excerpts taken

from the works of a large number of alchemists which is generally attributed to Johann Anton Soeldner (1700 fl.).

Ferguson describes three issues of the 1702 edition and was unaware of our 1701 edition. He also notes that an

enlarged edition with a new title (Keren Happuch, posaunen Eliae des Künstlers, Hamburg, 1702) appeared in the

same year; "so that apparently the book was in demand." Although most bibliographers attribute this work to

Soeldner (see Ferguson), its authorship is not established beyond doubt. "Whoever may have been the author, the

book is of some importance as the sole source of the poetical extracts referring to Edward Kelly, Grassenhauer or

Gustenhofer, Zachaire, and of a number of historical facts" (Ferguson, II, p. 387)..

§ Ferchl p. 508; cf. Ferguson (Young Collection) II, p. 387, Ferguson Collection II, p. 226, Duveen p. 555 and

Neu 3862 (all 1702 issue only); cf. Neville II, p. 492 (2nd edition only).

THREE RARE ALCHEMICAL TEXTS

35. SOLEA, Nicolaus; C.L. von L.; BRACESCO, Giovanni. Drey curieuse bißher gantz geheim gehaltene Nun aber

denen Liebhabern der Kunst zum besten An das Tages-Licht gegebene Chymische Schrifften: Als I. Nicolai Soleae

Philosophische Grundsätze, II. Herrn C.L. von L. Chymischer Catechismus, III. CXXX. Grund-Sätze [by Giovanni

Bracesco] aus dem Toscanischen in das Teutsche übersetzet von einem liebhaber philosophischer Geheimnisse.

Leipzig: Johann Sigmund Strauss, 1723. 8vo, 40 pp. Title printed in red and black. Woodcut alchemical device

printed in red on title-page. Modern stiff marbled wrappers.

$2400

FIRST EDITION of this collection of three alchemical texts translated into German. The first

work (Philosophische Grundsätze von verbesserung der Metallen), attributed to Nicolaus Solea,

deals with 116 fundamental ideas or secrets needed by the alchemist for the study of metallurgy.

Ferchl identifies Nikolaus Solea as preacher and practicing alchemist in Thuringia circa

1566. "Solea, or, as Kopp calls him, Soleas, was a chemist, who published under the name of

Basilius Valentinus a book in German on the Origin of Metals. This is what Jöcher reports, but it

is vague, and one is at a loss to know whether he was the person who passed under the name of

Basilius Valentinus, or whether he put out one book only under that name. Gmelin quotes only

the 1723 edition of the present collection." (Ferguson, II, p. 388)

The second work, a chemical (or rather alchemical) catechism, whose author is identified

only by the initials "C.L.v.L" (Herrn C.L.v.L. Erbaulicher chymischer Catechismus). The work

is organized in catechism format with a short question in chemistry or alchemy followed by the

alchemist's detailed response.

The third work: "CXXX. Grund-Sätze is a translation of the Centum viginti novem

propositiones by Bracesco which preceded his Dialogi duo. The hundred and thirtieth

proposition is the extra one." (Ferguson I, p. 225). The work deals with the author's interpretation

of the alchemy of Geber and Raymund Lull. Giovanni Bracesco (or Braceschi) was a 16th

century alchemist who authored a number of texts on the subject but, as often the case, little is

about him is known: "Kopp says 'Braceschi was a physician from Orci nuovi in the Brescian

district, towards Crema, which is more probable than that he was Prior of the 'regulirten Chorherren of St. Segoud'.

Cozzando calls him a man of curious and varied knowledge, but 'huomo vago.' by which, judging from his further

remarks, he probably means a person brilliant but without steady application. No details are given of his life. He

flourished in the middle of the sixteenth century" (Ferguson).

§ Ferchl p. 508 & Ferchl p. 65 (Bracesco); Ferguson I, p. 123, II, p. 388.

ORIGINATOR OF THE PHLOGISTON THEORY

36. STAHL, Georg Ernst; HOLLANDUS, Johan Isaäc. Fundamenta chymiae dogmaticae & experimentalis &

quidem tum communioris physicæ mechanicæ pharmaceuticæ ac medicæ tum sublimioris sic dictæ hermeticæ atque

alchymicæ : olim in privatos auditorum usus posita, jam vero indultu autoris publicæ luci exposit: annexus est ad

coronidis confirmationem tractatus Isaaci Hollandi de salibus & oleis metallorum. Nuremberg: Joh. Ernest

Adelbulner for Endter's heirs, 1723. 4to, [8], 255,[24] pp. (including errata). Title printed in red and black. Foxing

and marginal damp marks; collector's stamp on front free end-leaf. Contemporary calf.

$750

18

FIRST EDITION of Stahl's last major work in which he presents the first formulation of the influential

phlogiston theory which formed one of the first rational systems of chemistry based on experimental observations:

"Stahl took the structure of his theory from Becher ... who had stated air, water and earth to be the three elementary

principles with water and earth the bases of all material things, and who had further subdivided the principle of earth

into the three principles of substantiality, combustibility and weight/ductility/volatility. Stahl elaborated form

Becher's 'second earth' a new chemical principle, phlogistorn, a substance representing the principle of

combustibility that combined with other chemical substances to form compounds." (Norman).

"The work was prepared for the press by Johann Samuel Carl ... regarded by Stahl as his best pupil, from Stahl's

lecture notes, and was published with Stahl's approval ... It is important as giving Stahl's early views (e.g., on the

composition of metals, p. 9), since the lectures go back to 1684 in Jena. ... The book is full of chemical symbols with

Latin case-endings" (Partington II, pp. 653-86). The volume includes a section on alchemy and a tract by Johan

Isaäc Hollandus: "Appendix, seu, Tractatus Isaaci Hollandi de salibus & oleis metallorum" (p. [237]-255).

"A retrospective analysis can point out innumerable flaws in the phlogiston theory; and the way in which later

eighteenth-century chemists quite demolished the theory forms an important chapter in the history of science and of

thought. But this should not blind us to its important role as a bridge between the older concepts and the new. It tried

to modify an existing intellectual framework in order to explain experimental observations" (DSB, XII, p. 605). A

milestone work, which "exerted a great influence upon the future of chemistry" (Browne).

§ Norman 2005; Cole 1244; Ferguson II, 398; Duveen 560; Blake 430; Neville II, p. 509-10; Ferchl, 513;

Browne, 100.

THREE MAJOR CHEMISTRY WORKS BY THE ORIGINATOR OF THE PHLOGISTON THEORY

37. STAHL, Georg Ernst. Opusculum chymico-physico-medicum, seu schediasmatum a pluribus annis variis

occasionibus in publicum emissorum nunc quadantenus etiam actorum et deficientibus passim exemplaribus in

unum volumen jam collectorum, fasciculus publicæ luci redditus, præmissa, praefationis loco authoris epistola ad

tit. dn. Michaelem Alberti .... Halle: typis & impensis O. Trophei, (1715). 4to, Portrait. [8, including portrait], 856,

[38], last leaf blank. Engraved frontispiece/portrait; title printed in red and black; usual light browning in German

paper of this period; bottom margin of title-page cropped affecting the date. Contemporary English speckled sheep

with blind tooled panels (head and tail of spine worn with small piece chipped from bottom of spine; binding is very

sound).

BOUND WITH

STAHL, G. E.; HOLLANDUS, Johan Isaäc. Fundamenta chymiae dogmaticae & experimentalis & quidem tum

communioris physicæ mechanicæ pharmaceuticæ ac medicæ tum sublimioris sic dictæ hermeticæ atque alchymicæ :

olim in privatos auditorum usus posita, jam vero indultu autoris publicæ luci exposit: annexus est ad coronidis

confirmationem tractatus Isaaci Hollandi de salibus & oleis metallorum. Nuremberg: Joh. Ernest Adelbulner for

Endter's heirs, 1723. 4to, [8], 255, [24] pp. (including errata). Title printed in red and black.

BOUND WITH

STAHL, G.E. Fundamenta chymiae dogmatico-rationalis & experimentalis, quæ planam ac plenam viam ad

theoriam & praxin artis hujus tam vulgatioris quam sublimioris per solida ratiocinia & dextras enchirises sternunt.

Nuremburg; Impensis B. Guolfg. Maur. Endteri Filiarum, & Vid. B. Jul. Arnold. Engelbrechti, 1732. 4to. [8], 76,

199, [32] pp. Title printed in red and black.

$2850

"One of the outstanding chemists of the eighteenth century was Stahl."

(Partington, chapt. XVIII, pp. 653-686). In Germany the most powerful

figure in science to emerge after the Thirty Years' War was Georg Ernst

Stahl (1659-1734). After receiving his medical degree at the University of

Jena he began to give lectures in chemistry. In these he promoted his theory

of phlogiston as a crucial element in combustion, a theory accepted by

Priestley but eventually disproved by Lavoisier. In 1687 he was appointed

court physician to the Duke of Sachsen-Weimar, then a leading center of the

arts. The court organist was Johann Sebastian Bach and its fame as a

cultural center would later attract Goethe, Schiller and many others in the

following century. In 1693 the University of Halle was founded and when it

opened a year later Stahl was appointed as second professor of medicine. He

stayed until 1716 when he was called to Berlin as personal physician to

Frederick William, King of Prussia.

"Stahl advanced the phlogistic theory of chemical phenomena which had

begun with Becher and made it one of the most influential developments of

the time. Although it was a mistaken idea–there was no such substance as

phlogiston–the concept inspired further research so that when Lavoisier and

19

his co-workers entered the scene, the true pieces of the puzzle fell into place" (Hoover 762).

I. FIRST EDITION. "This work includes the 'Zymotechnia Fundamentalis,' in which is to be found the first

statement of the phlogiston theory and also Stahl's theory of fermentation." (Duveen, pp. 559-560). Stahl's

phlogiston theory became a generally accepted chemical doctrine until its overthrow by Lavoisier. His ideas on

fermentation repeated appeared in subsequent works on fermentation and resemble the theory of Liebig which

prevailed in the 19th century. This collection also includes Stahl's important writings on assaying.

II. FIRST EDITION of Stahl's last major work in which he presents the first formulation of the influential

phlogiston theory which formed one of the first rational systems of chemistry based on experimental observations:

"Stahl took the structure of his theory from Becher ... who had stated air, water and earth to be the three elementary

principles with water and earth the bases of all material things, and who had further subdivided the principle of earth

into the three principles of substantiality, combustibility and weight/ductility/volatility. Stahl elaborated from

Becher's 'second earth' a new chemical principle, phlogiston, a substance representing the principle of

combustibility that combined with other chemical substances to form compounds." (Norman).

"The work was prepared for the press by Johann Samuel Carl ... regarded by Stahl as his best pupil, from Stahl's

lecture notes, and was published with Stahl's approval ... It is important as giving Stahl's early views (e.g., on the

composition of metals, p. 9), since the lectures go back to 1684 in Jena. ... The book is full of chemical symbols with

Latin case-endings" (Partington II, pp. 653-86). The volume includes a section on alchemy and a tract by Johan

Isaäc Hollandus: "Appendix, seu, Tractatus Isaaci Hollandi de salibus & oleis metallorum" (p. [237]-255).

"A retrospective analysis can point out innumerable flaws in the phlogiston theory; and the way in which later

eighteenth-century chemists quite demolished the theory forms an important chapter in the history of science and of

thought. But this should not blind us to its important role as a bridge between the older concepts and the new. It tried

to modify an existing intellectual framework in order to explain experimental observations" (DSB, XII, p. 605). A

milestone work, which "exerted a great influence upon the future of chemistry" (Browne)

III. FIRST EDITION. "The Fundamente Chymiae Dogmatico-Rationalis et Experimentalis is in three parts ...

Part II divided into two Tracts, ... Tractatus I (76 pp.) is divided into three sections: (1) solids and fluids, solution

and menstrua, the effects of heat and fire, effervescence and boiling, fermentation and putrefaction, volatilisation,

fusion and liquefaction, distillation, precipitation, calcination and incineration, detonation, amalgamation,

crystallisation and inspissation, and fixity and firmness of bodies; (ii) salts (including acids and alkalis), sulphur and

inflammability, phosphorus, colours, metals and minerals; (iii) reduction of calces and scoriae, artificial gems,

colouring copper yellow to make sophisticated gold (with zinc). Tractatus II (199 pp.) is divided into two parts, the

first subdivided into four sections: (i) instruments of chemical motion (fire, air, water, subtle early or salt); (ii)

dissolving aggregates, trituration and solution, calcination and combustion; (iii) chemical corruption, separation of

solids and fluids, mixes, the solution of compounds from solids (including cupellation, etc.); (iv) fermentation. The

second part, on chemical generation, is subdivided into (i) the collection of aggregates into fluids and solids, (ii)

compositions of (a) volatile and (b) of solid bodies, Becher being frequently quoted, and (iii) the combintion of

mixts." (Partington).

§ I. D.S.B. XII, pp. 599-606; Blake, 430; Duveen, 559-560; Ferchl, 513; Neu, 3904; Neville Coll. II, 513;

Partington, II, 661.

II. Blake 430; Ferchl, 513; Cole 1244; Ferguson II, 398; Duveen 560; Neville II, p. 509-10; Norman 2005;

Browne, 100.

III. Partington II, p. 662-63; not in Blake, Ferguson, Duveen or Neville.

ALCHEMY - MINERALOGY

38. [STEINBERGEN, Christian Friedrich von; attributed to]. Metallischer Baumgarten, in welchem das einzige

wahre subjectum philosophiæ oder primum ens metallorum bloss und gantz offenbar vor Augen gelegt und

beschrieben worden ist; von einem Freunde, deme die Wahrheit bewust ist, und der einen jeden vom falschen Weg

gern ableiten, hengegen zu dem wahren einzigen Brunnen der Metallen führen und bringen will. Frankfurt &

Leipzig: Johann Friedrich Fleischer, 1753. 8vo, 87, [1] pp. Usual mild browning found in German books of this

period; last page is booksellers advertisement for chemistry and alchemy books; early notes on front paste-down.

Contemporary speckled paper covered boards.

$1650

Second edition (1st: 1741) of this very scarce metallurgical-alchemical text. "The author of these tracts appears

under four different names. Fictuld (Th. ii. p. 135) says the author first called himself Christian Friedrich von

Sternenberg, but afterwards changed his name to Stein bergen ('the Stars to a Stone')." (Ferguson). Ferguson

(Ferguson II, 406) notes authorship has been used the name Christian Friedrich von Sabor, Siebenstern, Steinbergen

or Sternenberg..

§ Ferguson, II, p. 91-92, 406-407; Wellcome IV, 123 (under title); cf. Ferchl 516; Duveen p. 405; cf, Neu 38

(1741 ed. under Siebenstern); not in Ferguson or Neville collections.

20

RUBIA TINCTORUM” USE IN MEDICINE & HISTORY AS A RED DYE AGENT

39. STEINMEYER, Georg Friedrich. Dissertatio inauguralis medica de Rubia tinctorum. Strassburg: Joh. Henricus

Heitz, 1762. 4to, 32 pp. Contemporary notation on title-page. Modern wrappers.

$550

FIRST EDITION of this scarce doctoral dissertation on the uses of plant madder (rubia tinctorum) also called

common madder or dyer's madder which is a herbaceous perennial plant species. It has been used since ancient

times as a vegetable red dye for leather, wool, cotton and silk. For dye production, the roots are harvested in the first

year. The outer brown layer gives the common variety of the dye, the lower yellow layer the refined variety. The dye

is fixed to the cloth with help of a mordant, most commonly alum. Madder can be fermented for dyeing as well

(Fleurs de garance). In France, the remains were used to produce a spirit as well.

The author provides a detailed bibliography of historical and contemporary references to the plants uses in

medicine as well as references to its practical uses as a dying agent. Included are a series of experiments that can be

done with the various parts of the plant.

§ Waring, Bibl. Therapeutica, p. 665; Bibliotheca Tinctoria, no.1008.

POISONOUS PLANTS AND MEDICINE

40. STÖRCK, Anton, Freiherr von. Libellus, quo demonstratur, cicutam non solum usu interno tutissime exhiberi, sed

et esse simul remedium valde utile in multis morbis, qui hucusque curatu impossibiles dicebantur. Venice:

Benedetto Milocco, 1760. 8vo, 82, [2] pp. (last page blank). Fine uncut copy. Original flexible publisher's boards.

$375

Rare first Venice edition of this work on the use of hemlock in the treatment of cancer with a series of case

histories of the treatments. Anton Freiherr von Störck (1731-1803), an Austrian physician, he studied medicine

under Gerard van Swieten in Vienna, and is remembered for his clinical research of various herbs, and their

associated toxicity and medicinal properties. His studies are considered to be the pioneering work of experimental

pharmacology and his method can be regarded as forming a blueprint for the clinical trials of modern medicine.

Cicuta, commonly known as water hemlock, is a small genus of four species of highly poisonous plants in the

family Apiaceae. Plants in this genus may also be referred to as cowbane or poison parsnip. Cicuta is native to

temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, mainly North America and Europe. Water hemlock is considered

one of North America's most toxic plants, being highly poisonous to humans.

An influential work which appears, according to Waring, to have been part of a larger text on poisonous plants

first published at Vienna in 1760 and partly reprinted at Paris and Rotterdam; with German, French and English

translations at Frankfurt, Paris and London all in the same year. Our rare Venice edition of the same year was

unknown to Waring. Not in Blake (NLM) which has the second Venice edition of 1761.

The OCLC locates only the University of Chicago in North American libraries.

§ Wellcome V, p. 196; see Waring, Bibliotheca Therapeutica, p. 378; Durling has only the 2nd Venice ed. of 1761

MINERALOGY - FOSSILS / PRECURSOR OF MODERN HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

41. TARGIONI TOZZETTI, Giovanni. Voyage minéralogique, philosophique, et historique, en Toscane. Paris:

Lavilette, 1792. 8vo, 2 volumes. [4], 414 pp.; [4], 503 pp. Contemporary mottled calf with gilt spine (spine head

caps worn).

$675

FIRST FRENCH EDITION (1st: 1751-54 in Italian) of this important science text. Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti

(1712-83), was the most active Italian naturalist of the 18th century after Spallanzani. He was one of the first to

cultivate the history of science. He had been a student of P.A. Micheli and served as his successor as director of

Florence's botanical garden. He undertook several long journeys between 1752 and 1745 observing natural

phenomena and the ancient monuments found in large sections of Tuscany. "The harvest gathered in the field of

natural science was truly outstanding, encompassing the three kingdoms of nature. In his study on the relations

between normal hydrography and landform, Targioni Tozzetti made wide-reaching synthetic observations ... On the

basis of these observations [he] was able to outline, for the first time in the history of science, the morphological

evolution of certain landscapes ... Today Targioni Tozzetti is recognized as one of the precursors of modern human

geography." (DSB XIII, pp. 257-58).

In is in the present work that Targioni Tozzetti proved that the bones of the elephants found in the sediments of

the Arno Valley were not "the remains of elephants that accompanied Hannibal's army during the Second Punic

War, as scholar of the period believed; rather, they were a part of the fauna of Tuscany before the appearance of man

in the region." (ibid.).

§ Hoover Coll. no. 777; Monglond II, 683; Boucher de la Richarderie III, 12; cf. Poggendorff II; 1068, DSB

XIII, 257; Ferchl 528.

21

ASTROLOGY & MEDICINE / EARLY IMPRINT FROM ETTLINGEN

42. VIRDUNG VON HASSFURT, Johann. Nova medicinae methodus, nunc primu[m] & condita & aedita, ex

mathematica ratione morbos curandi, Joanne Hasfurto Virdungo medico & astrologo doctissimo autore. Item.

Summarium atqu[e] laudem huius libelli p[er] Iohannem Sinapium proxima reperies pagella. Ettlingen: (Impressum

per Valentinum Kobian), 1532. 4to, [4], 98, [4] leaves (last leaf blank). Woodcut title border, 15 astronomical text

woodcuts and large woodcut printer's device on last page. Marginal damp mark on last few leaves and some

margins; top outer corners of last 4 leaves neatly repaired with loss several words on last leaf; top margin short just

toughing a few letters; some light browning. Flexible vellum binding made with an early Hebrew manuscript.

$2950

FIRST EDITION. A very rare work by the astronomer and iatromathematician who

attempts in the present work the "application of astrology to medicine" (Zinner). "Johann

Virdung, of Hassfurt (Franconia), lived from the end of the XVth century until about 1550;

he was a iatromathematician and Sudhoff devotes a chapter to him in his work on

iatromathematicians. The whole fourth book (40 pp.) deals with urology." (Ernst Weil, cat.

30, no. 176; calling this the second book printed in Ettlingen). The work is edited by

Johannes Sinapius. The first tract deals with astrological-astronomical observations; the

second on pharmaceutical preparations; the third on the lunar cycles; and as noted by Ernst

Weil the fourth is on urology.

Johann Virdung von Hassfurt (ca.1465- ca.1535) had studied at Leipzig and Heidelberg

and was professor of mathematics and a physician who published numerous calendars,

prognostications and several medical works. He made scientific travels to England, France

,and Denmark and was appointed court astrologer to the Palatinate (1493-1538).

The book was printed by the first printer of Ettlingen in Baden. It was reprinted the

following year at Hagenau.

§ VD 16, V 1267; Durling 4632; Zinner 1508; ADB XL, 9 f.; Thorndike IV, pp. 456-57

& V, pp. 203-04; ADB XL, 9 ff.

BOOK OF SECRETS

43. WECKER, Johann Jacob. De Secretis Libri XVII. Ex variis authoribus collecti, methodiceq; digesti, & aucti.

Basel: Waldkirchius, 1604. 8vo, [16], 667, [27] pp. Woodcut printer's device on title and some text woodcuts;

extensive contemporary notes on inside front paste-down and flyleaf; long early inscription on title-page; moderate

to heavy browning and foxing typical of German paper of the period. Contemporary blind ruled vellum.

$675

Early edition (1st. Basel; 1582) of this influential book of secrets. "Wecker (1528-1586) was professor of logic

and Latin in Basel, then qualified in medicine and went as town physician (1566) to Colmar. His deservedly famous

book of secrets passed through many editions (the last in 1753), as well as translations. Book III deals entirely with

chemical operations and distillation. The remainder of the book contains numerous references to topics of chemical,

pharmaceutical, and metallurgical interest. Wecker compiles this important work from ancient as well as

contemporary authors, a list of which he gives. The dedicatory epistle to Baron Lazarus Svendius ... The first edition

is of the greatest rarity, and Ferguson states that he had never seen a copy." (Neville, II, p. 615; 1582 ed.).

§ Ferchl 569; Ferguson, Books of Secrets I, p. 16; cf. Duveen 613 & Neville II, p. 615 (1st ed.: 1582).

ZWELFER'S 3 MAJOR PHARMACOLOGICAL & CHEMICAL WORKS /

MASSIVE VOLUME HANDSOMELY BOUND

44. ZWELFER, Johann. Animadversiones in Pharmacopoeiam augustanam, ejusque mantissam, tertium revisae. Cum

Appendice annexa. Quibus accessit Pharmacopoeia regia nova locupletata & absolutae. Adjecta Mantissa

spagyrica [engraved general title-page]. Nuremberg: Sumtibus Michaelis & Johan. Friderici Endter, 1667. Folio, 2

volumes in 1 binding. [22], 468, [20], [16], 80, [4] pp. With engraved title-page. Light to moderate foxing found in

German paper of the period; small piece torn from blank margin leaf Ooo3 (not affecting text); outer margin to

engraved title trimmed to edge of plate. Contemporary blind tooled calf decorated with floral and ornamental rolls

and triple fillet frames.

BOUND WITH

ZWELFER, J. Pharmacopoeia regia, seu dispensatorium novum locuple et absolutum, annexa etiam mantissa

spagyrica ... Cui accessere bini discursus apologetici (adversus Hippocratem chymicum Ottonis Tackenii [et]

contra Franciscum Verny). 2 parts in 1. Nuremberg; M. & J. F. Endter, 1668. Folio. [24], 418, (i.e. 408), [28] pp.;

[12], 267 pp. With engraved title-page and 5 text engravings (mostly laboratory equipment).

BOUND WITH

22

ZWELFER, J. Discursus apologeticus Joannis Zwelferi adversus

Hippocratem chymicum Ottonis Tackenii : ejusqq´ adulterini salis viperini

novissimi fundamenta, ut ait, antiquissima, cui & accessere euisdem

justimissimae vindiciae contra Franciscum Verny. Annexo etiam Apologemate

epistolico anonymi. Nuremberg; sumtibus Michaelis & Johann Endterorum,

1668. [12], 267 pp.

$3650

FIRST EDITION OF THE COLLECTED MAJOR PHARMACEUTICAL

AND CHEMICAL WORKS by Johann Zwelfer as detailed on the often

overlooked general engraved title-page. They are also important much

enlarged editions in their own right (and the first appearance of the third

work). They were apparently issued separately as well since each has their

own title-pages, collations, indexes and errata leaves. The Pharmacopoeia

regia also has its own engraved title-page and the descriptions of the last work

(Discursus apologeticus) there is usually a note that is was probably intended

to be a part of the 1668 edition of the Pharmacopoeia.

The first work is Zwelfer's revision of one of the earliest official German

works on pharmacy, the Pharmacopoeia Augustana, which he first published

at Vienna in 1652 and would later include a volume of his criticisms, the

Appendix ad animadvesiones (1st; Gouda, 1653), which appears here with its

own half title, pagination and separate index. The second major

pharmacological work is an important updated and much revised edition of the

Pharmacopoeia regia which includes his Mantissa spagyrica (pp. 314-418),

which first appeared in 1662 (However both Partington and Thorndike list

ours as the first), and deals with chemistry and alchemy. It is illustrated with 5

engraved illustrations of which 4 are of laboratory equipment. Of particular

interest is the first engraving which depicts the famous Prague Medal (p. 328)

which was reputedly made from alchemical gold. The final work, Discursus

apologeticus, has its first appearance here and includes, inter alia, Zwelfer's

indictment against the 'Sal volatile viperarum' of Tachenius and what he

believes is his vindication from criticisms by Francois Verney.

The German chemist, pharmacist and physician, Johann Zwelfer (1618-

1668), was a follower of Paracelsus and worked for 16 years as a pharmacist

in the Rhenish Palatinate before going to Padua to study medicine. After

receiving his M.D. degree he went to Vienna where he appears to have opened

a practice and there composed his massive works on pharmacy and chemistry.

Ferguson notes Zwelfer claimed to be the first to reduce pharmacy to a

rational system. He would engage in controversies with Lucas Schroeck, Otto

Tachenius, and Francois Verny which are included in the present volumes

(especially the final volume). "Zwelfer said Tachenius confused lyes and

alkalis with the salts of minerals and animals, calling them all alkali. Francois

Verney of Montpellier had criticised Zwelfer's compound acid syrup of Mesue

and his confection of Alkermes. Zwelfer was not opposed to chemical

remedies; he used successfully a solar diaphoretic antimony (apparently tartar

emetic), and three kinds of mercury precipitate (yellowish, solar, and perse),

mercury sublimate, turpethum minerale, and turpethum rubrum. Zwelfer also

criticized Tachenius's methos of fixing the volatile salt of vipers, and he

complained that most oriental bezoars were spurious, the only genuine one

being from a single species of wild goat found only in one corner of the East

Indies" (Partington). See also Thorndike’s description of the present works

contents and the D.S.B. article for the numerous conflicts he had with his

contemporary apothecaries.

A very impressive and massive volume very handsomely bound in well

preserved blind tooled calf.

§ VD 17 3:000989B; VD 17 1:062857Q; VD17 1:062865F; Krivatsy

8921 & 13284 (Discursus); Schelenz 497; Ferchl 598; Partington II, pp. 296-

97; D.S.B. XIV, p. 639; Thorndike VIII, p. 94; cf Neville II, p. 649 (Dordrecht, 1672 ed.); not in Ferguson, (Young)

Catalogue or the Ferguson Collection Catalogue.