the philosopher's stone in English
SENDIVOGIUS, Michael.
A new light of alchymy: taken out of the fountain of nature and manual experience, to which is added a treatise of sulphur. Written by Micheel Sandivogius. i.e. anagrammatically, divi leschi genus amo. Also nine books of the nature of things, written by Paracelsus, viz. Of the generations, growths, conservations, life, death, renewing, transmutation, separation, signatures of natural things. Also a chymical dictionary explaining hard places and words met withal in the writings of Paracelsus and other obscure authors. All which are faithfully translated out of the Latin into the English tongue, by J. F. MD.
London: A. Clark for Thomas Williams, 1674.
8vo (168 × 104 mm.), 3 parts in one volume, continuously paginated, pp. [xvi], 351, [1], includes general title and 2 part titles as called for. Running titles and some section titles in black letter. Old dampstain to lower forecorner resulting in some fragility and minor loss, but not affecting any text. Contemporary panelled calf, expert repair to spine. Early ownership inscriptions of John Ruston (dated 1729-31). A very good copy of a very scarce work.
Sendivogius was regarded by contemporary alchemists as being the true possessor of the philosopher's stone, and in orthodox scientific terms his work is important for his observations on the components of air, leading to an argument that "contains the first idea of the existence of air" (DSB XII, 307).De lapide philosophorum was first printed at Prague in 1604 and thereafter became known as Novum lumen chymicum. The Tractatus de sulphure altero naturae principio, which frequently appeared with it (as here) first appeared at Cologne in 1616. This English translation by "J.F." (either John French or John Freke) appears with an English version of De rerum naturae, the classical Paracelsian text and an alchemical dictionary. It had been first printed in English in 1650, making our edition the second.
Ferguson I, 257 and II, 367; Krivatsy 10895; Wing S2507A.
£1650.00
US$3280.03*
* Given as a guide only. Based on an exchange rate of £1 = US$1.987896 for the day 5 July 2008 but liable to fluctuate.
5 July 2008