DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.68505#0011
Alchemy
Swiss Francs
1 Becher, J. J. Chymisches Laboratorium, oder Unter-erdische Naturkundigung,
darinnen enthalten I. Die tiefe Zeugung derer untererdisdien Dinge. II. Neue
diymische Proben, einiger kiinstlidien . . . Verwandelung derer Metallen. III. Ein
nodimaliger Zusatz u. Philosoph. Beweissthum derer chym., die Wahr- u. Mog-
lidikeit der Metallen Verwandelung in Gold bestreitenden Lehr-Satze. IV. Ein
chymischer Ratseldeuter. Frankfurt, Haas, 1680. 8vo. XXVIII, 732 pp. With a
curious engr. symbolic title. Vellum. 80.—
First German edition of a very rare work by the famous alchemist Becher (born at Speyer
1635, died in London 1682). See Ferguson I, QO.
On vo. of the title the entry: Ex Libris Francisci Feyrtag Med. Doct. Merani 1704.
Somewhat browned especially towards the end.
2 Geber (Pseudo-Geber). Summa perfectionis magisterii in sua natura, ex biblio-
thecae Vaticanae exemplari undecunque emendatissimo nuper edita, cum quo-
rundam Capitolorum, Vasorum, et Fornacum, in volumine alias mendosissime
impresso omissorum. Librique investigationis magisterii, et Testamenti eiusdem
Geberis, ac Aurei Trium verborum Libelli, et Avicennae mineralium addi-
tione castigatissima. Venetiis, apud Petrum Sdioeffer et Joan. Bapt. Pederzanum,
1542. 8VO. 8 unn., 128 numb. 11. With 4 full-page and about 12 smaller
woodcuts and printer’s device at the end. Old limp veil. 200.—
Not in Brunet, Graesse, Caillet etc.
Extremely rare collection of alchemical writings, published under the name “Geber®.
But this Geber is not identical with the Arabic Geber or Dschablr, who lived in the 8th century.
The author of these treatises must have lived in the 15th or 14th century for the earliest MSS. bear-
ing his name were written in the 14th century.
The most important treatise of this collection is the “Summa perfectionis magisterii”, contain-
ing no indication of an Arabic origin. It is conspicuous for clearness of reasoning and logical co-
ordination of material. It gives detailed descriptions of the processes of destination, sublimation,
calcination, and of the preparation of various chemical substances. The general characteristics of
the metals, the readiness with which they form alloys, and unite with sulphur, are well described.
The book on the Investigation of Perfection treats of the preparation and purification of the reagents
used for the perfecting of the metals: the work is expressly intended to be an introduction to the
main work, the preceding Summa.
The works of Geber are followed by several other alchemical tracts by different authors:
Kall id, Liber trium verborum; — and Avicenna, De lapidum congelatione et conglutinatione.
De mineralium corporum quatuor speciebus.
The cuts represent distilling apparatus, retorts etc.
Large copy, si. waterstained, library’s stamp on title-leaf.
See Reproduction on page 2.
3 (Gesner, Konrad.) Ein kbstlidier theiirer Sdiatz Euonymi Philiatri, darinn be-
halten sind vil heymlicher gutter stuck der artzny, furnemmlidi aber die art vnd
eygensdiafft der gebrannten wassern vnd olen . . . Item wie man mancherley
weyn bereiten sblle. Verteiitscht durch Joannem Rudolphum Landenberger zu
Ziirych: vormals in Teutscher spradi nie gesahen. Zurydi, Andreas and Jac.
Gessner, 1555. 4<o. With 36 woodcuts in the text representing stills, fur-
naces and chemical appliances. Nice printer’s device on title-page. 4 IL,
GILHOFER & RANSCHBURG, WIEN I, BOGNERGASSE Nr. 2.
Swiss Francs
1 Becher, J. J. Chymisches Laboratorium, oder Unter-erdische Naturkundigung,
darinnen enthalten I. Die tiefe Zeugung derer untererdisdien Dinge. II. Neue
diymische Proben, einiger kiinstlidien . . . Verwandelung derer Metallen. III. Ein
nodimaliger Zusatz u. Philosoph. Beweissthum derer chym., die Wahr- u. Mog-
lidikeit der Metallen Verwandelung in Gold bestreitenden Lehr-Satze. IV. Ein
chymischer Ratseldeuter. Frankfurt, Haas, 1680. 8vo. XXVIII, 732 pp. With a
curious engr. symbolic title. Vellum. 80.—
First German edition of a very rare work by the famous alchemist Becher (born at Speyer
1635, died in London 1682). See Ferguson I, QO.
On vo. of the title the entry: Ex Libris Francisci Feyrtag Med. Doct. Merani 1704.
Somewhat browned especially towards the end.
2 Geber (Pseudo-Geber). Summa perfectionis magisterii in sua natura, ex biblio-
thecae Vaticanae exemplari undecunque emendatissimo nuper edita, cum quo-
rundam Capitolorum, Vasorum, et Fornacum, in volumine alias mendosissime
impresso omissorum. Librique investigationis magisterii, et Testamenti eiusdem
Geberis, ac Aurei Trium verborum Libelli, et Avicennae mineralium addi-
tione castigatissima. Venetiis, apud Petrum Sdioeffer et Joan. Bapt. Pederzanum,
1542. 8VO. 8 unn., 128 numb. 11. With 4 full-page and about 12 smaller
woodcuts and printer’s device at the end. Old limp veil. 200.—
Not in Brunet, Graesse, Caillet etc.
Extremely rare collection of alchemical writings, published under the name “Geber®.
But this Geber is not identical with the Arabic Geber or Dschablr, who lived in the 8th century.
The author of these treatises must have lived in the 15th or 14th century for the earliest MSS. bear-
ing his name were written in the 14th century.
The most important treatise of this collection is the “Summa perfectionis magisterii”, contain-
ing no indication of an Arabic origin. It is conspicuous for clearness of reasoning and logical co-
ordination of material. It gives detailed descriptions of the processes of destination, sublimation,
calcination, and of the preparation of various chemical substances. The general characteristics of
the metals, the readiness with which they form alloys, and unite with sulphur, are well described.
The book on the Investigation of Perfection treats of the preparation and purification of the reagents
used for the perfecting of the metals: the work is expressly intended to be an introduction to the
main work, the preceding Summa.
The works of Geber are followed by several other alchemical tracts by different authors:
Kall id, Liber trium verborum; — and Avicenna, De lapidum congelatione et conglutinatione.
De mineralium corporum quatuor speciebus.
The cuts represent distilling apparatus, retorts etc.
Large copy, si. waterstained, library’s stamp on title-leaf.
See Reproduction on page 2.
3 (Gesner, Konrad.) Ein kbstlidier theiirer Sdiatz Euonymi Philiatri, darinn be-
halten sind vil heymlicher gutter stuck der artzny, furnemmlidi aber die art vnd
eygensdiafft der gebrannten wassern vnd olen . . . Item wie man mancherley
weyn bereiten sblle. Verteiitscht durch Joannem Rudolphum Landenberger zu
Ziirych: vormals in Teutscher spradi nie gesahen. Zurydi, Andreas and Jac.
Gessner, 1555. 4<o. With 36 woodcuts in the text representing stills, fur-
naces and chemical appliances. Nice printer’s device on title-page. 4 IL,
GILHOFER & RANSCHBURG, WIEN I, BOGNERGASSE Nr. 2.