[Rarebooks] Offering: Rare Occult & Alchemy
Michael John Thompson
mjt at mjtbooks.com
Sun Aug 19 20:40:31 EDT 2007
1) AGRIPPA, Henricus Cornelius. [Henrici Cornellii Agrippae ab Nettesheym)
De Incertitudine et vanitate scientiarum
declamatio invectiua, denuo ab autore recognita,
& margialibus annotationibus aucta, capita
tractandorum totius operis sequentes indicant pagellae.
No place or publisher: 1539.
A rare early edition of the Incertitudine,
Agrippa’s most important work, first printed in
1530. Small octavo (150 x 97 mm), contemporary
vellum, hand-titled on front cover, the inner
covers showing an early rubricated manuscript
leaf being used as part of the binding.
Unpaginated, but collated complete. A beautifully
printed edition, unattributed, with a fine
woodcut portrait of Agrippa on the title page.
Some soiling to vellum and ancient labels on the
spine, a few small pen marks, a very good clean
copy in a remarkable contemporary binding. ¶ See
Caillet 87 for a similarly unattributed 1537 edition.
$1,750.00
--------------------
2) BEHMEN, Jacob [Also BOEHME].
THE WORKS OF JACOB BEHMEN, The Teutonic
Theosopher. Two Volumes (of four). Volume I:
Containing I. The Aurora. II. THE THREE
PRINCIPLES. To which is Prefixed The Life of the
Author. With Figures, Illustrating his
Principles, left by the Reverend William Law.,
M.A. (with) Volume II. Containing, I. The
Threefold Life of Man. II. The Answers to Forty
Questions Concerning the Soul. III. The Treatise
of the Incarnation: In Three Parts. IV. The
Clavis: Or an Explanation of Some Principles
Points and Expressions in his Writings. With Figures...
London: Printed for M. Richardson, in Pater-noster Row. 1764.
First Edition. Two volumes (of four). Quarto (275
x 210 mm), contemporary full tree-calf, gilt
ruled borders with small flourets at corners, the
spine with raised bands and heavily decorated
gilt within compartments, title labels.
Frontispiece portrait in Vol I; 13 full-page
finely engraved emblematic plates at rear of
volume 2. Two small worm-holes to margins of a
few pages in Vol II, older bookseller's
description (describing a different set) affixed
to front endpaper of Vol II (along with one short
tape repair); small bookseller's tickets in each
volume; mild browning to title leaves, plates
fresh and clean. A very nice set in very
attractive bindings, but incomplete. ¶ The first
Collected Edition of the works of Boehme in English.
$1,000.00
-------------------
3) Gaffarel, Jacques [Gaffarelli, Jacobi]
Curiositez inouyes hoc est; Curiositates
inauditae de figuris Persarum Talismanicis,
Horoscopo Patriarcharum et Characteribus Coelestibus.
Hamburg: Gothofredum Schultzen. 1676.
Octavo, contemporary vellum. Folding emblematic
frontispiece, 15 woodcut plates (on 11 leaves,
bound slightly out-of-order) plus 2 large folding
celestial charts. Two small astrological woodcuts
and several small cuts of Hebrew characters
within the text. All plates present and complete,
text complete. Pagination: [Folding engraved
frontispiece] + [title leaf] + [10pp] + pp1-65 +
pp 62-290 [error in pagination only, text is
continuous]. Mild browning to text block, a few
tiny edge-tears to the plates, a near fine copy,
the vellum fresh and clean. Ownershp signature
"Tobias Hollanderi 1676" on title leaf, Tobiae
Hollanderi à Berau, who in 1699 published a work
concerning astronomical problems ‘Amaltheum Astronomicum’.
The first Latin edition of a work first issued
(in French) in Paris in 1629. The book was
published in English in 1650 under the title
"Unheard-of curiosities concerning the
talismanical sculpture of the Persians, the
horoscope of the patriarkes and the reading of
the stars". An important and influential work on
oriental talismans, Hebrew, Egyptian and Arabic
Astrology, Cabbala and "Star-Writing," the theory
that the stars are arranged in the form of Hebrew
letters, which can be read by one with inner
knowledge. The two celestial charts reflect this
theory. The plates depict mermaids, monsters,
mythological creatures and gods. The author was
Cardinal Richelieu's librarian, and traveled to
Italy, Greece and Asia retrieving rare books for
him (reportedly including manuscripts by Pico
della Mirandola). A lovely copy of a very curious work.
$950.00
-------------------
4) Llull, Ramon 1232?-1316 (sometimes Raymond
Lully, Raymond Lull, Raimundus Lullus, Raymundi Lullii)
Opera ea quae ad adinventam ab ipso artem
universalem, scientiarum artiumque omnium brevi
compendio, firmaque memoria apprehendendarum,
locupletissimaque vel oratione ex tempore
pertractandarum, pertinent. Ut et in eandem
quorundam interpretum scripti commentarii: quae
omnia sequens indicabit pagina, & hoc demum
tempore conjunctim emendatiora locupletioraque
non nihil edita sunt. Accessit huic editioni
Valerii de Valeriis ... Aureum in artem Lulli generalem opus.
Argentorati: Sumptibus haeredum Lazari Zetzneri. 1617.
A reissue of the 1609 edition, there was also a
slightly different version (without the section
by Valeriis) published in 1598. Octavo,
contemporary vellum with ties, hand-titled on
spine "Raymondi Lullii Opera". [16], 1109, [41]
p. Emblem on title leaf and colophon, 50 woodcuts
within the text (one full-page), three folding
tables, one folding woodcut at rear. Contents:
OPERA LVLLIANA: Ars brevis. De auditu
kabbalistico seu kabbala. Duodecim principia
Philosophiae Lullianae. Dialectica seu logica
nova. De venatione medii. De conversione subsecti
& praedicati. Rhetorica. Oratio exemplaris. Ars
magna et ultima. INTERPRET: Iordanus Bruno: De
specierum scrutinio, De lampade combinatoria
Lulliana, De progressu & lampade venatoria
logicourm. Commentaria Agrippae in artem brevem
Lullian. Articuli fidel. Valerii de Valeriis
Patricii Veneti Opus aureum in quo omnia beviter
explicantur, quae Scientiarum omnium parens
Raymundus Lullus tam in Scientiarum arbore quam
in Arte generali tradit. Slight browning
throughout text. Number affixed to base of spine.
A very fresh, clean copy, the ties intact
(although one is torn). A lovely copy of a very
rare edition. ¶ The works of Raymund Lully,
"Doctor Illuminatus", 13th century philosopher &
missionary, sometimes called alchemist.
Considered a pioneer of computation theory,
especially for his great influence on Gottfried
Leibniz. Many alchemical works are attributed to
Llull, most (if not all) are considered spurious.
$2750.00
--------------------
5) MAIER, Michael (Michaelis Majeri)
VIATORIUM; hoc est, de Montibus Planetarum Septem seu Metallorum.
Rothomagi: J. Berthelin in arae Palatii. 1651.
(Rouen: for Jean Berthelin. 1651).
Second edition. Octavo, contemporary limp vellum,
hand-titled on spine. 224 pp. Emblematic
vignette on title page, seven fine engraved
illustrations, woodcut inititals, head- and
tailpieces. Wanting the extra engraved title leaf, else complete.
The second edition of a classic alchemical and
emblematic work concerning the seven metals and
the planets supposed to correspond to them. The
engravings are by De Bry and are of the finest
quality. Some stains and soiling to vellum,
inner covers a bit cracked, old (contemporary?)
notes in pen on inside of rear cover. Text
slightly browned and with a few small stains.
Overall, a very good copy. Rare. Caillet 7006.
Bibliotheca Rosicruciana 356, "De Bry's plates in
this edition are charming examples of the beauty of his engraving".
$2,250.00
-------------------
6) BASILIUS VALENTINUS [BASIL VALENTINE].
LES DOUZE CLEFS DE PHILOSOPHIE. Traictant de la
Vraye Medecine Metalique. Plus l’Azoth, ou le
Moyen de Faire l’or Caché des Philosophes.
Traduction Francoise. [bound with:] BERNARDUS
TREVISANUS. Traicté de la Nature de l’oeuf des Philosophes.
Paris: Pierre Moët, 1660 & 1659.
Three works bound together. Octavo, slightly
later full vellum, brown morocco spine label
titled in gilt. 176 + 196 + 64 pp.
LES DOUZE CLEFS DE PHILOSOPHIE. Traictant de la
Vraye Medecine Metalique. Paris, 1660: 176 pp.
Fullpage plate on p. 16 depicting Alchemical
symbols and a phoenix, half-page emblematic plate
on page 52. With 11 (of 12) of the engraved
plates depicting the 'keys': Clef 1 (facing page
53); Clef II (facing page 59); Clef III (facing
page 65); Clef IV (facing page 70); Clef V
(facing page 75); Clef VI (facing page 82); Clef
VII (facing page 87); Clef VIII (facing page 94);
Clef IX (wanting, possibly never included); Clef
X (facing page 116); Clef XI (facing page 122);
Clef XII (facing page 127). Lower quarter of page
53/54 torn with loss, the missing text supplied
in manuscript in an antique hand, inserted on a
slip. Decorative headpieces and initial letters throughout.
AZOTH, ou le Moyen de Faire l’or Caché des
Philosophes, de Frere Basile Valentin. Reueu,
Corrigé, & Augmenté par M. L'agneau Medecin.
Paris, 1959. 196 pp. Engraved emblematic title
page, full-page plate depicting an alchemical
furnace, serpents, phoenixes, and lions facing
page 3, large engraving on p. 138 (title leaf for
the second part); emblematic engravings on pages
146, 151, 152, 157, 160, 163 (missnumbered 173),
164, 166, 169, 173, 179 (large engraving), 182 &
188 (14 engravings total, plus the title leaf).
Numerous decorative headpieces and initial
letters throughout. Pp 191-196 comprise the POEME
PHILOSOPHIC sur L'Azoth des Philosophes, par le sieur de Nuisement.
TRAICTE DE LA NATURE DE L'OEUF DES PHILOSOPHES,
Compose par Bernard, Comte de Treues, Allemand. Paris, 1959.
64 pp. Title page vignette. Decorative headpiece and initial letter.
Note: a blank leaf has been inserted facing the
title leaf to TRAICTE DE LA NATURE.... with old
manuscript writing quoting from Figuier,
L'Alchimie et les Alchimistes... Paris (1856)
concerning the identity of "Le Counte Bernard".
Some cracking to hinges in a few spots, a couple
of pages with minor stains, noted loss to page
53/54 of the first work, small repaired tear to
title leaf of the first work. Three catalogue
descriptions pasted to inner front cover, one of which is from Catalogue
C.V., of J. Salkeld, Bookseller, 1874, describing
this copy. Simple bookplate "Thomas Letchworth".
Overall, a fresh and clean copy.
Two of the most important alchemical texts by
Basilius Valentinus, along with Bernardus'
treatise on the Philosopher's Stone, here in a
rare early illustrated edition. LES DOUZE CLEFS
first appeared in 1599 in a Latin text, and first
appeared in French (together with AZOTH) in 1624.
Copies of this work rarely appear on the market,
with the only traceable copies at auction (1980
and 2006) both lacking all 12 plates of the
CLEFS; the copy described in Ferguson I
(BIBLIOTHECA CHEMICA, 1906) also lacked all the
plates, two copies are described in Ferguson II
(CATALOGUE OF THE FERGUSON COLLECTION OF BOOKS
MAINLY RELATING TO ALCHEMY... 1943), one with
"Plate wanting" and one with "L'azoth and Poeme
Philosophic wanting". It has been suggested that
many copies were issued without the engraved set
of 'keys'. It should be noted that our copy of
LES DOUZE CLEFS is dated 1660 on the title leaf
(most copies are dated 1659), denoting a later issue which included the plates.
Basilius Valentinus (also known as Basil
Valentine), 15th-century alchemist. His name
cannot be corroborated; during the 18th century
it was suggested that he was Johann Thölde.
Historians seem quite unable to agree as to his
exact identity, or even as to the
century in which he lived. It is generally
believed, however, that 1394 was the year of his
birth, and that he did actually join the
Benedictine Brotherhood, eventually becoming
Canon of the Priory of St. Peter at Erfurt, near
Strasburg, although even these facts cannot be
proved. Whatever his identity, Basil Valentine
was undoubtedly a great chemist, and the
originator of many chemical preparations of the
first importance. Amongst these are the
preparation of spirit of salt, or hydrochloric
acid from marine salt; oil of vitriol (sulphuric
acid); the extraction of copper from its pyrites
(sulphur) by transforming it firstly into copper
sulphate and then plunging a bar of iron in the
watery dissolution of this product; the method of
producing sulpho-ether by the distillation of a
mixture of spirit of wine and oil of vitriol; the
method of obtaining brandy by the distillation of
wine and beer, etc. He has been given the title
of "Father of Modern Chemistry". His early books
are rare, and this is a choice copy of two of his most important works.
$7,500.00 US
--------------------------
7) FRATRIS BASILII VALENTINI [BASIL VALENTINE].
CHYMISCHE SCHRIFTEN alle so viel derer verhanden
: anitzo zum dritten Mahl zusammen gedruckt : aus
vielen so wol geschrieben als gedruckten
Exemplaren vermehret und verbessert : und in zwey Theile verfasset.
Hamburg: In Verlegung Gottfried Liebezeits. 1700.
Reprint, issued originally in 1677. Octavo, contemporary vellum.
Frontispiece portrait on first leaf, 18 woodcuts
in the text (some full-page), decorative head-
and tailpieces throughout. Collation: a-c8 A-Z8
aa-gg8 Aa-Bbb8 Ccc1-Ccc6 Ddd1-Ddd8 (identical to
the Honeyman copy, Sothebys, 30 Oct 1978, 480
pounds). Vellum heavily soiled and sprung, text
block browned, page edges heavily darkened,
several leaves with closed tears and / or corner
loss, alchemical notations in an antique hand on
preliminary blank, some annotations and markings
in the text. A good copy. ¶ The collected
Alchemical works of Basil Valentine. Rare.
$1,500.00
Prices are in US dollars. Postage Extra. Trade discount allowed.
---
Michael John Thompson
ABAC / ILAB
5275 Jerow Road
Hornby Island, BC
Canada V0R 1Z0
250-335-1182
http://www.ThompsonRareBooks.com
http://www.BeltaneBooks.com
http://www.Mjtbooks.com
More information about the Rarebooks
mailing list