[Rarebooks] FA: Alchemy, 1651, with fine Emblematic Engravings

[Michael John Thompson]

A Monumental Work on Alchemy, with 18 Alchemical Woodcuts in the text.

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 initials, head- and tailpieces. 
Wanting the extra engraved title leaf, else complete. 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 with a few small stains. 
Overall, a very good copy. Caillet 7006. Bibliotheca Rosicruciana 
356, "De Bry's plates in this edition are charming examples of the 
beauty of his engraving".

Rare. A copy of this edition was in the Robert Lenkiewicz Auction, 
Sotheby's November 2003. Item 214, it fetched 1920 Pounds Sterling 
(circa $3,800.00 - $3,900.00 US). That copy was in contemporary 
vellum, occasional light staining, upper cover worn at edges. It did, 
however, have the extra engraved title leaf. The only other copy at 
auction in the past 25 years was the Garden copy, Sotheby's, November 
1989 (!), described as "18th-cent vellum; lower flyleaf & endpapers 
defective". That copy fetched $3,100.00 US. No copy of the true first 
edition (1618) appears at all in modern auction records.

A 17th Century Alchemical Emblem book of the finest quality. Maier is 
well known and famous for his beautiful works, which include the 
Arcana Arcanissima and the Atlanta Fugiens, among many others.

There is a modest reserve on this copy, the only copy offered on the 
market, the only copy at auction in almost 4 years and only the third 
copy which we can track the sale of since the early 1980's.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130149277373


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Michael John Thompson
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