Alchemy, Alchemy--Early works to 1800, Medicine, Magic, mystic, and spagiric, Medicine, Magic, mystic, and spagiric--Early works to 1800, QD25 .J33 1682
De perfectione magisterii in sua natura -- De principiis magisterii, & de perfectione ejusdem -- De consideratione rerum ex quibus est perfectio... Show moreDe perfectione magisterii in sua natura -- De principiis magisterii, & de perfectione ejusdem -- De consideratione rerum ex quibus est perfectio magisterii -- De medicinis sermone universali, et de quinque differentiis perfectionis earum -- Libri investigationis magisterii Gebri, philosophi perspicassimi, ac Indiae Regis -- Testamenti Gebri philosophi perspicacissimi, ac Indiae Regis -- Libri trium verborum Kallid Rachaidibi philosophi acutissimi. Extremely rare, complete copy with the engraved title page, the errata leaf, and all nine plates. Abu Musa Jabir ibn Hayyan (known as "Geber" in the Latin tradition) is the name of an author whose historical existence is under debate, but who, according to Arabic culture, is said to have lived in the second half of the eight century, been the head of a hermetic school, and left an extensive body of works on natural philosophy and alchemy. The rediscovery of Geber for the history of chemistry and alchemy, was introduced by Hermann Kopp in the 19th century. The first German edition, published in Vienna in 1751, was entitled "Geberi des Königes der Araber [...] vollständige Chymische Schriften, worinnen in den vier Büchern das Quecksilber, Schwefel, Arsen inn Gold, Silber, Bley, Zinn, Kupfer, Eisen & Oefen [..], Destillationen [...], Essenzen, Salze, Alaune [...], Cinnober, Glaß, Boras, Essig &c. abgehandelt werden; wie auch das Testament, Güldene Buch der dreyen Wörter Kallid Rachaidibi, und andere Chymische Tractätgen, Summa, die ganze Kunst die unvollkommenen Metalle [...] in Vollkommene, als Silber und Gold zu verwandeln; das ist: wie man Silber und Gold machen soll, enthalten [...]". - Publisher's printed dedication to Caspar Richter ("Polonixe Secretario"). Binding somewhat rubbed and stained; very slight trimming to top edge of engraved t. p. Title stamped and with contemp. ms. ownership. Very occasional comtemp. underlinings and marginalia. One edge tear to a single leaf. Slight worming throughout (more pronounced near end). Slight waterstaining to a few leaves; occasional insignificant browning or brownstaining. This edition not in German auction records since 1950. Added engraved t.p. signed "N. Lang scr. 1682." Head- and tailpieces; initials. Errata: p. [19]. Signatures: a⁸ [$5 signed] b⁴ [$2 signed] A-R⁸ [$5 signed]. Errors in pagination: 113 as 110 (corrected in mss.); no p. 114-119 (pagination and register continuous). Main Heritage Shelves General QD25 .J33 1682 Book Item-ID: i16817515 BIB-ID: 1507131 Bound with: Joannis Braceschi Brixiani De alchemia dialogi duo nunquam ante hac conjunctim sic editi, correcti, & emaculati -- Sendivogi Novum lumen chymicum novo lumine auctum. Bound together subsequent to publication. Show less