John Ferguson was born on 23 January 1837 in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, son of William, a merchant. He was educated at the High School of Glasgow and at the University of Glasgow from 1855-1864. His first studies at Glasgow University were in the Arts Faculty, receiving a BA in 1861 and an MA the following year. After this he continued his studies, finishing in the Medical Faculty, the only way he could then study Chemistry. He won a number of prizes at University including the Ewing Gold Medal for his essay 'Historical Account of the Papacy as a temporal power in Europe', the Gartmore Gold Medal for 'The Advantages & Disadvantages of Federal Government' and he twice won the Watt prize for essays entitled 'On Cohesion' and 'Electricity & Magnetism from the Middle of the Last Century'.
John Ferguson studied Natural Philosophy under Professor William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, and Chemistry with Professor Thomas Anderson. From finishing his studies in 1864 until 1868 when he was appointed University Assistant with charge of tutorial classes and laboratory supervision, he worked as private assistant to Professor Anderson. In 1869, Professor Anderson was taken seriously ill and John Ferguson undertook the general running of the department until November 1870 when the Professor returned. It was during this time that the University moved from the High Street to Gilmorehill and it was down to Ferguson to plan the new Chemistry Laboratories. Anderson never fully recovered from his illness and when he died in 1874, John Ferguson became his successor.
He wrote widely on Chemistry and particularly on the history of the subject when the History of Science was not widely published in scientific journals. He was often published in the Proceedings of the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow, the Society for which he was president of the Chemical Section and then full President from 1892-1895.
The major work for which he will be remembered is the Biblioteca Chemica (1906), a bibliography of writers on alchemy and chemistry, and his interest in alchemy and the occult science lead him to collect a large number of books on the subject.
His nickname 'Soda' is said to have derived from his personality - a little caustic. Besides holding the office of President of the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow, Professor Ferguson was a President of the Glasgow Archaeological Society 1892-1893, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1888 and of the Society of Antiquaries 1890, the Chemical Society 1872 and the Institute of Chemistry in London 1878. He was awarded an LLD by St Andrews University, Scotland, in 1887. He belonged to several learned societies in Europe and was an honorary member of the Imperial Military Academy of Petrograd. Throughout his life, John 'Soda' Ferguson had been connected with the University of Glasgow, his last position being as Honorary Curator of the Hunterian Library. He died on 2 November 1916.
Manuscripts, mainly of alchemical and early chemical interest, c 14th to 19th centuries, from the personal library of John Ferguson. With some of his personal papers, mainly drafts of articles, etc
The arrangement of this material reflects the original order in which it was received
This material has been appraised in line with standard GB 247 procedures
Held in the library of John Ferguson
Purchase : John Ferguson : December 1921 : ACCN 0353
GB 248 DC 251: Correspondence and papers of John Ferguson
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Muse Herme. Writings on alchemy.
Binder's title on spine.
Items 3-9 are copied from Jean de La Fontaine de Valenciennes, 'La metallique transformation'. Lyon, 1618.
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Christofle de Gamon. Le Tresor des tresors. 17th century. Begins [fol. 5 recto]: Mon Dieu mon cher Souci, que je porte de haine Ends [fol. 16 recto]: Que le train tant frayé d'un familier objet. The text corresponds to that given in: Henri de Linthaut. Commentaire... sur le Tresor des tresors de Christofle de Gamon. Lyon: 1610 [copy at An-a.27]
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Jacques Nuysement. Poeme philosophic sur l'azoth des philosophes. Begins [fol. 17r]: Si l'art pouvoit créer, les principes des choses Ends [fol. 19v]: Ou nos beaux grains semez se font plus vertueux. The text corresponds to that given in: Basilius Valentinus. Les douze clefs de la philosophie. Paris: 1659 [Ah-d.17]
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Jean de La Fontaine, de Valenciennes. La fontaine des amoureux de science. Begins [fol. 20r]: Ce fut au temps du mois de may, Qu on doit fouir dueil et esmay. Ends [fol. 40r]: Si fixum soluas, faciasque volare solutum, Et volucrem figas, faciet te vivere tutum. The text corresponds to that given in: Jean de la Fontaine, de Valenciennes. La metallique transformation. Lyon: 1618. [Copies at Af-f.33, 37]
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Balade du secret des philosophes. Begins [fol. 40r]: Qui les deux corps veut animer. Ends [fol. 40v]: Pour fruit avoir tres excelent. The text corresponds to that given in: Jean de La Fontaine, de Valenciennes. La metallique transformation. Lyon: 1618. [Copies at Af-f.33, 37]
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Jean de Meung. Remonstrances de la nature a l'alchiniste errant. Begins [fol. 41r]: Comme Nature se complaint, Et dit sa douleur et son plaint. Ends [fol. 59v]: Plus ne t'en dis, mais je te jure, Mon Dieu, qu'il faut suivre nature. The text corresponds to that given in: Jean de La Fontaine, de Valenciennes. La metallique transformation. Lyon: 1618. [Copies at Af-f.33, 37]
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Balade du secret des philosophes. Copy of MS Ferguson 1/4: it lacks, however, the last three lines
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Jean de Meung. La reponse de l'alchimiste a nature. Begins [fol. 65r]: Comme l'artiste honteux et doux, Est devant nature a genoux. Ends [fol. 78r]: J'auray cette noble teinture, Moyennant Dieu et vous nature. The text corresponds to that given in: Jean de La Fontaine, de Valenciennes. La metallique transformation. Lyon: 1618. [Copies at Af-f.33, 37] Except that it lacks the lines given there on fol. 43v and fol. 44r. The copyist is presumably working from the printed edition and at this point has turned over two pages at once
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Nicolas Flamel. Traité d'alchimie. Begins [fol. 79r]: Qui veut avoir la connoissance. Ends [fol. 90v]: Et a fort chercher tous jours tendre. The text corresponds to that given in: Jean de La Fontaine, de Valenciennes. La metallique transformation. Lyon: 1618. [Copies at Af-f.33, 37]
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Autres vers touchant le mesme art dont l'autheur n'est point nommé. The text corresponds to that given in: Jean de La Fontaine, de Valenciennes. La metallique transformation. Lyon: 1618
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Magnum Grimorium sive Calendarium Naturale Magicum perpetuum profundissimarum rerum secretissimarum contemplationem totiusque philosophiae cognitionem complectens. By Johann Baptist Grosschedel [Grosschedel ab Aïcha]. Early 18th century.
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Liber secretorum. [In Italian]. XVIth century.
A series of chemical recipes for colouring glass, making pigments, etc. Italian with section headings in Latin.
Contents: f1 A fare el bianco perli vasi de Terre.
f1v Christalli vitri & lapidum solutio seu mollificatio, & coloratio.
f3 Ad tingendum christallum in colore Smeraldj.
f4v Borax.
f11 Cinabrium.
f14 Coralli ex cornibus manubria et similia.
f24 Sal Nitrum tam naturale quam Artificiale.
f24 Azurium.
f34 Argentum vivum de plumbo.
f36 Aloes epatica.
f37 Sal armoniacus.
f44 Ambre.
f46v Amollificare lambra.
f77-93 Tractatus de vitris Smaltis Musaicis Lapidibus Annulorum sofisticis, & de omnibus eorum coloribus universalibus conficiendis. [31 chapters.]
f93v-96v Lapidum preciosorum secatio quadratio politio et duplarum coloratio et conglutinatio. [27 chapters.]
f97-98 Incipit secundus de nominibus et coloribus lapidum et primo de albis numerorum. [9 chapters.]
f98v-99 Liber tertius. [4 chapters.]
f100 Perle
f111 Sanguinis draconis sofisticatio.
f113 Sofisticatio muscita fit.
f124 Sapo lollis ultramarinus sic fit.
f126v Crucibula.
f131 Minium.
f132 Cerusa.
f132v Tinctura sete panni repet similium.
f141 Tartaresca cio e colori da stampare in pani cum forme, et senza.
f169 Ad faciendum corium rubeum.
f165 Argento sublimatio.
f167v Ferri deauratio tam cum aquis quam cum auro.
f172v Ferri corrosio dissolutio ac irarum, et imaginum impressio.
f175 Vernix liquida.
f176v Vitrum non frangibile.
f179 Indicum.
f181 Inveteratio.
f192 Vinum.
f200 Finestre de tela.
f200v Acetum.
f211 Clore de copelle per Sazare.
f221 Minium et cerusa.
A number of other subsections not here noted. A small number of rough drawings of apparatus flasks, crucibles, etc. are found throughout the text.
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Buch von Vunderwerckden (Hermetische philosophie). [Buch der Heiligen Dreifaltigkeit.] By Ewald Vogel. In German, with some sections in Latin. An exact copy even as to pagination, of MS. Dresden N 110. About 40 watercolour illus. XVIIth century.
Contents: f4 [Title in verse]
Diss ist ein Buch von Wunderwercken
rechte Warheit mag man hie in mercken
wem diss Buch wirdet, der berg es nit,
dass were Jhm an Leib unde Seele verderblich.
Man soll diss Buch bringen Wann es von Gotte ist, für die Grosten Herren und Grösten Maister und Lehrer der Heiligen Schrifft in der Christenheit. Hierumb vernehmst es, diss Buch ein neüe Gabe Gottes von Himmelreich [...] Wer diss Buch Gottes wohl vernimmet, und der hie dann rechte nach wircket, dem giebet dieses Buchs Lehre reichen Sold, beide Silber und auch das edelste rothe Gold, das machet man hie aus...
f68 [Text.] Anno Domini Millesimo CCCCXXXIII°. In Kadelsburg [Kadolzburg] finitus ipsa hora nona in mediate. Explicit liber Sanctae Trinitate. Sequitur capitulum quod incipit in his verbis primo den weisen er ist etc. Et non habetur hic in loco proprio sui debito sed quere secundum signa.
f68v [It continues probably as in the Dresden manuscript: 'Diss Buch ist viel Bücher und ist doch ein Buch das nicht geteilt werden mag [...] Finitus geschrieben... in Kadelspurg Anno ut supra XXXIII°etc.']
f113v Explicit liber Sanctae Trinitatis de lapide philosophico parabolice ex dictis sacrae theologiae nec non naturalis philosophiae et figurative verum operationis effectum comprehendens.
f153v Explicit liber Sanctae Trinitatis de lapide philosophico parabolice ex dictis sacrae theologiae nec non naturalis philosopiae et figurative verum operationis effectum comprehendens.
f153v-155v De aqua vitae [In Latin.]
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Lux sine nube or the art of the phylosophers unfolded... the Phylosophers Hone, &c... [In English]. 18th Century.
Contents: 1. p1-19 Lux Sine Nube or The Art of Philosophers unfolded being a True and most Faithful discovery of all the deepest and most hidden Enigmas of the Hermetic Science, where in is most clearly given a full and most inestimable Medicine, commonly known under the name of that great and Misterious Secrit The Phylosophers Stone to which is prefixt, as a most indispensably necessary Key to the whole a plaine discovery of the real Matter out of which this precious Treasure is to be extracted; so Familiarly delivred to the true Frends of suffring Sons of Eve as to be at the Reach of the meanest capacities.
p19 A Stanza on the Same.
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M.P. Spruch : Nota hyeroglyphica; Lapis philosophicorum, &c. [In German]. XVIIth century.
Contents: f1 [At bottom] Petrus Wintzig.
f2r [Five line drawings in black ink and red chalk.]
f2v-4v [5 watercolour drawings].
f5r [Text in German begins]
[At bottom] 'i/i Mai 1733...'
[At top] Nota Hyeroglyphica Lapis [John Dee's 'hieroglyphic monad' symbol] philosop. [This seem to have been added later.]
[See MS. Dresden N 36: Figurae hieroglyphicae de lap. phil. von Edward Kelley.]
f5 Euch Liebhabern dieser Edlen Kunst Allen sey zuer Warnung geschenckt unnd geschriben das Nach folgende warhaffte Wort, dem wolt Jr Nur sicher glauben, es wirdt euch reichlich lohnen etc.
Denen die da von den Betrügern Jn diser Loben Kunst mit Jrem grossen Nachteil und schaden nit wollen verffueret noch betrogen werden, Als dem Jtziger Zeit Menschen geschiehet, denen sag ich zuer Warnung, das sie folgenden fragen wol warnemen und derer stets in Iren Hertzen zudanck sein, das durch diese sie, Als durch ein gewiesses warhafftiges Zeichen und sigel Aller Möglichen Natürlichen warheit dieser Edlen Kunst...
f13-30 Der titel dieses Buechlins ist Lilium geheissen.
f31v-32 [Two elaborate symbolic drawings.]
f33 [Text in German.]
f34v Hie heben sich an die spruch der philosophen.
f50v Was man thuen sol mit der quinta essentia.
f52 Item von der heimlicheit der philosophy.
f58-59 [12 pen drawings of furnaces and alchemical flasks.]
f60 Mun wer begert zuefinden den anfang der natur...
f69 Warhheit der Kunst. [In a different hand.]
f77v [Pen drawing of Queen with seven stars around her head, standing upon two cubic stones with sun and moon symbols. From these roots reach down into a square vessel of water at the bottom. the Queen holds a square mirror in each hand.]
f79-86 Das Buech der heimlicheit.
f87-105 Spiegell der Alchimey. [In seven chapters.]
f106-113 Magister Degenhardus.
f115 -118 [4 watercolour drawings.]
f120-128 Weltlich beger in der philosophi Kunst der merern und...
f129-147 [12 finely executed watercoloured drawings set within the text. These are the 'Donum Dei' or 'Spiegel der Philosophie' illustrations, published in Salomon Trismosin 'Aureum Vellus', 1598-1604.]
f148 das Buech wirt genantt Gottes gaab...
[Pandora, des Franciscus Epimetheus, Basel 1582.]
f154-158 [18 watercoloured illustrations of the series of woodcuts found in Petrus Bonus, 'Pretiosa Margarita Novella', 1546, of the 6 planets before the king, the killing of the king, his death, burial and rebirth from the tomb.]
f158-169 [A series of twenty two fine watercoloured drawings which is a variation of the sequence of woodcuts in the 'Rosarium Philosophorum', 1550.]
f172-180 Wer ohren hat zuehern der hore und merck [...] den philosophum also sprechenn.
[This section has two watercoloured symbolic drawings.]
f181-187 De Tinctura D: M. Joanni Hein.
f188 Oleum Solis Zumachen.
[At bottom] Franciscus Martinus 1580 die 2 Meric.
f192 Ein cehönner spruch auss der philosophen schrifften.
f196-209 Kurtzer Sumarischer ausszug und philosophen Rogerius Bacho ad lapidem philosophorum... 19 Martii 1580...
f212-237 [Series of 38 fine watercolour drawings from the Aurora Consurgens.]
f238-242 [...] Arnoldi de Villa nova…
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Secrets of Alexis of Piemont, 1565. Plants from Dodoneus Herbal, 1578.
Manuscript title on original front board.
Printed label pasted inside original front board: Edward Hailstone, Walton Hall.
Manuscript inscription in memory of John Lewis Babrac alias Bawbrac pasted inside original back board.
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The Secretes of ye most reverend mr Alexis of piemont [Girolamo Ruscelli]. 1565.
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Taken out of D. Kembert dodoens phisitian to ye Emp. his herball made anno domini 1578.
Extract from English translation of A niewe Herball, by Rembert Dodoens.
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Opus angelorum. [Coronatio Naturae]. 17th century.
The work is entitled on fol. 1: Angelorum opus Auctore Hermete Ph[ilosoph]o perito.
67 pen and watercolour drawings of the 'Crowning of Nature' series. Illustrations only with no text. The drawings have prickholes along all lines in order to facilitate copying. The titles to the illustrations are chiefly in English.
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Dunstan concerning the Philosophers Stone. Manna from Heaven. [In English]. XVIIth century.
Binder's title on spine: Alchemy MS.
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A treatise of the most great Lord and Philosoph: Dunston, Bishop of Canterbury: Concerning the Philosopher Stone.
Note at end: 'Dunstan of the Stone of Philosophers is to be found at the end of Philosophia Maturata, an exact piece of Philosophy, etc pubd. 1668, but the work so called is not this which is in MS. nor a copy of it.'
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Manna from Heaven.
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Rene de la Chastre : Traicte de la nature en general, ou l'on decouvre les agens metalique... 1639
Copie du livre de Rases esperience sur l'esprit Mineral pour la preparation et transmutation des corps metalique...
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Traicté de la Nature en general, ou l'on decouvre les agens metaliques par Repour-Art Chimique, ou le Prototype et tres parfait exemplaire, de la Philosophie Hermetique. Par René de la Chastre, gentilhomme Berroyen 1620. [Corrected later in pencil to 1635.]
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Le Prototype outres parfaict. A Analoguique Exemplaire de l'art Chimique. A la Philosophie de la Sciance Naturelle.
Contenant les Causes principes a demonstrasions scientifiques de la sertitude [dedreant]. Par le Sr Rene de la Chastre Gentil homme Beroyen a pavor ches Melchoor Mondvere dans le cour du palais placede change aux de en l'anne 1635.
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Des Neu Erlevehten Mosqueteurs ... By Johann Anthon.[In German]. XVIIIth century.
Contents: f4r Des Neü Erleüchten Mosqueteurs Dreyfache Erlaütterung über die dreÿfache Beÿschrifft des Ersten Kupffer Bildes, die von dem Himmel Verliehene über Jrrdische Hocherleüchtete und Durchleüchtete Englische Weißheit Des Hochwürdigsten Hochgebohren, des Heyl. Römischen Reichs Fürsten und Herrn Johann Anthon Bischoffen zu Eichstätt betreffend, somit N° 1, 2, und 3 bezeichnen seÿn, die übrigen Nomina haben Ihre erklärung selbsten in sich.
f5r [Title] Des Neu erleuchteten Mosqueteurs Vierfache Stumme Rede-Kunst des Fermontischen Steines Nach der arth der Vier Elementen Vermittelst die Vier Vnheilbahren Krackheiten, nach der Vierfachen Jnfluenz des Himmels, als da ist Die Gravitetische Wasser-Sucht, Das Ehrbahre Podagra, die geschminckten Frantzosen, vnd gepuderte Pestilentz Mit verleihung der Gnaden Gottes, durch den Lapidem Fermonticum sambt denen Arcanibus Specificis vel Magneticis, auf vierfache Arth konnen geheÿlet, vnd gewendet werden.
Two engravings pasted in f41r,109r. Five pen and grey wash drawings on f6v,18r,49r,55r,132r.
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Pierre Jean Fabre. The Book of universall wisedome or All Chymistry. Wherin the nature of man is demonstrated, his soule searched into, and of what kind it is, is shewed, his spirit manifested, and the elements of mans body are shewed, and all the diseases therof to be cured and the life to be prolonged, are proposed, and the secrets of doing these are manifested. A work acceptable and very usefull to all, but especially to Physicians. By Peter John Faber of Castrinovidariu [Castelnaudary] Doctor of Physic in Monpiliers, and now a Counselour and Physician to the King of france. 17th century. Translation of Sapientia universalis, which was published at Frankfurt in 1656. At the end there are six pages of index in a different hand. Stamped: 'Sir T P [Thomas Phillipps] Middle Hill' and inscribed: Phillipps MS 2624.' This was one of the manuscripts which Phillipps bought from Thomas Thorpe in 1836. It was acquired by John Ferguson in October 1896.
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Ludovicus Regius. Opera. De universalis origine... &c. Italy, 1492?. MS. on vellum. [In Latin].
Works of Ramon Lull summarised by Ludovicus Rigius.
Contents: f iv-v Ludovicus Rigius Bene esse Francisco Bollano patrie: Venetoque generi dicet. Atque bene valeant qui religionem colunt, qui fidem ruant. qui id, quod justum est tribuant. [S]i apud maiores nostros est conservatum ut preceptores pro patribus haberet; debeo quantum est situm in me Raymundo Lulio.... [S]i apud Argumentum primi universalis originis opere Ludovici Regii.
f1-62 Argumentum secundum commentorum que sunt fundamenta operorum nature & artis.
Commentarius Aphorismorum rote corruptionis.
Commentarius Aphorismorum rote generationis.
f63-99v [C]om[m]entum apertum lucidumque fecimus; in quo universalia particulariaque multa perstanximus: [18 Lullist diagrams, triangles, squares and circles of letters between f68 and 90 in various coloured inks.]
f100-157 Chaos universale principiorum voythie: & aliorum in theorica. [In four parts.]
f159-174r Trialogus: interlocutores Ludovicus: Franciscus & Mapheus.
f174v-249 Practica [in four parts.]
f250-268 Principium libri secretorum.
f269-272 Gubernaculus currus. Exordium. De significatis elementorum alphabeti.
f272-282 [Index and contents.]
f283-286 Interrogationes.
De magisterio terrarum nigrarum.
De magisterio auri potabilis.
Aperitio trianguli voythey.
f287-299r Proprietarium sulphureorum trianguli magni voythie: Lodovici.
f299v-305v Hermaphroditus collericorus & collericarum.
f305v-306v De optatis, optatesis, & sulphur igne Lapidorum.
[At end]: 'die 6 Octobris 1492.'
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Works of Pseudo-Ramon Lull.
f160 Some notes added by another hand.
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Ramón Lull. Incipit epistola Accurtationis lapidis philosophorum Raimundi Lullij ad Regem Robertum Neapolitanum. 15th or early 16th century
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Incipit liber lucis mercuriorum Raymundj Lullij De insula maioricarum. 15th or early 16th century.
f19v-20r Two diagrams with letters of alphabet.
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Ramón Lull. Incipit compendium artis magice Raymundi Lullij. 15th or early 16th century
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Ramón Lull. Incipit Anima artis transmuttationis Metallorum Raymundi Lullij. 15th or early 16th century
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Ramón Lull. [Lapidarium] Incipit lapidarium Raymundi Lullij in parte adbreviatum. 15th or early 16th century
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Ramón Lull. [Testamentum] Incipit elucidario totius testamenti Raymundi Lullij ad regem eduardum missa. 14th or early 16th century
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Ramón Lull. Incipit liber de intentione Alchimistarum Raimundj Lullij. 15th or early 16th century
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Book of recipes, both culinary and medical, written in several different hands. 18th century.
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Libro de Reçetas de Portugal, para haçer Peuetes, y Pastillas, y andreçar guantes perfumados. 17-18th cent.
MS. of recipes for perfumes and balsams. f1-84 in Portugese, f94v-98r in English, with 'Agnas' (index) in Portugese on f 99r-105v.
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Abraham Eleazar. Abraham Juif Prince, pretre, leuite astrologue et Philosophe, a la nation des Juifs repandüe dans toute la Gaule par la colere de Dieu. Salut en Notre seigneur Jesus Christ. Liure des figures hierogliphiques auec l'explication des fables des Poetes, des misteres du christianisme; de la chimie, et de la Pharmacie suiuant les nombres. 18th century.
13 extremely fine watercolour illustrations of the hieroglyphic figures of Nicholas Flamel are inserted upon vellum after folios 3, 8, 11, 16, 27, 33, 40, 45, 88, 98, 110, 114, 143. One of these illustrations shows the Massacre of the Innocents; it closely resembles a drawing from a manuscript in the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal which is reproduced in vol. 1 of Le moyen âge et la Renaissance, ed. Paul Lacroix, Paris, 1848, whereas the illustration of the same scene in Uraltes Chymisches Werk, 1735, bears only a slight resemblance to the drawing in the Bibliothéque de l'Arsenal manuscript. The illustration of Jezoth le Juste fairly closely resembles that reproduced in Jung's Collected Works, vol. 14, pl. 3, from Bibliothèque Nationale MS. Fr. 14765. 'In the eighteenth century an allegedly Jewish treatise appeared, making copious use of Hebraic terminology and claiming to be the mysterious "Rindenbuch" of Abraham the Jew, which, it was said, had revealed the art of gold-making to Nicholas Flamel (1330-1417). The MS is said to have been in the possession of Cardinal Richelieu. The story goes that Flamel bought the treatise, which was written on sheets of bark, for two florins from an unknown person. It is a late forgery from the beginning of the eighteenth century.' - C.G. Jung, Collected Works, vol. 14, p. 410. The manuscript is written in an eighteenth-century hand on paper made in France in the early eighteenth century and consists mainly of 'explication des emblêmes.' The textual content differs from that of Uraltes Chymisches Werk.
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See also
In tractatu altero authoris anonymi in Joannen Grasseum Chortolasseum agentis legitur Haec praefatio ad Hermeticae Ph[i]l[osoph]iae Studiosus. In Latin. XVIIIth century.
ontents: 1. p1-492 [Collection of 69 short tracts from Pontanus, Sendivogius, Arnald of Villa Nova, Philalethes, Flammel, Bernard of Treviso, Zacharius, Lully, Ficino, Paracelsus, Van Helmont, Basil Valentine, Roger Bacon, Ripley, etc.]
[Index on pages 5-8.]
2. p493-503 Probatum et verum repertum à Barone de Battenberg.
[Additional alchemical extracts in different hand. In Latin and German.]
3. f2-10, f27-28 [Additional alchemical extracts in different hand. In Latin and German.]
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See also
Christopherus Parisiensis. Elucidarius. [In Spanish, with section headings translated into Italian.]. XVIIth century
1. f2-3r Cedula ritrovata nelle scritture St Andrea Ognibene dopo la sua morte, de verbo ad verbum. Acqua secreta.
2. f5-6r Opera senza titulo. Qui comincia come si ha da curare il negro di Giove.
3. f7-52 Elucidarius Christophori Parisiensis.
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See also
Le Clef de la Philosophie Spagyrique qui donnent la Connoissance des Principes et des Veritables Operations de Cert Art Dans les Mixtes de trois Genres. Par feu Mr le Breton Medicin de la faculté de Paris. a Paris Rue St Jacques chez Claude Joubert au Coin de la Rue des Mathurins a l'Image Notre Dame. 1722. [In French]
f1-14r [in French.]
14v Hermes in Allegoriis Dicit [in Latin.]
f15 Notes Extraite de la Science Universelle de l'Escriture Sainte. Par Moi Vital Chaupegros Astrologian.
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See also
The Hieroglyphic Unit of John Dee of London.
For Maximillian by the Grace of God the most wise King of the Romans, Bohemia and Hungarie. Frankfurt at J. Wechelum, Peter Fisher MDXCI.
This is an anonymous translation into English of John Dee 'Monas Hieroglyphica', Franckfurt, 1591. Dated on spine '1691'
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See also
Rosicrucians. Aphorismi. Late 18th Century.
1. f6r-12v Copy of the Original Admission of Count de Chazal.
2. f14r-19r In the Name of [Tetragrammaton Elohim] the true and only God, manifest in trinity.
[Testimony of initiation of Alexander Tilloch into Bacstrom's Rosicrucian Society, signed by Bacstrom and dated London April 5, 1797.]
3. 22r-40v Aphorisms and Process. Aphorismi Operis Maximi Antiquorum Sapientium. [In English.]
[Signed and dated at end]: 'Above I have faithfully communicated our Aphorisms - Sigismund Bacstrom M.D., F.R.C., London, 5 April 1797.'
[See MS. 320 Item 5, for a few folios which seem to relate to the 'Aphorisms and Process'.]
With bookplate of William Gordon of Fyvie
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See also
Copy of The original admission of Count de Chazal. At end: Le sçeau philosophique de la Societé de la R. Croix de l'an 1740. To a copy of the foregoing was affixed... the admission of Dr. Bacstrom. [Follows the admission of Dr. Bacstrom, dated 12 Sept. 1794]. In French. With bookplate of William Gordon of Fyvie
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See also
Alexander Seton [i.e. Alexander von Suchten]. Collectanea Chÿmica. [In German]. XVIIIth century.
f1-2 [Table of Contents.]
1. f3 Particulare ex Arsenico, nitro & Tartarto, Aliud ex Mercurio, Sulphure et Marte; Aliud es sale Ungarico.
2. f5-27 Sydonii Alexandri, verae Phil. et Med. Doctoris, Concordantia Chemica, daß ist Vergleichung Etlicher Philosophischen Schriften von Bereitung des Philosophischen Steins etc. zur besserer Explication Manualis Tincturae Phÿsicorum Apocalipsis et Libri Vexationum Theophrasti Paracelsi.
[Not Alexander Seton, but Alexander von Suchten, first printed in Franz Kieser, 'Cabala Chymica. Concordantia Chymica. Azot Philosophorum Solificatum', Mühlhausen 1606.]
3. f28-112 Roderigo Francisci Bassa Albanese de la Rova, Compendium Practicum et Anatomia vera Alchÿmica et Chÿmica, vel Explicatio plurimorum bonorum Authorum, sive defensio Operum et Scripturarum, etc. um 1644 conscriptum.
4. f116-131 O[mnia] A[d] M[aiorem] D[ei] G[loriam] Praxis et Processus der Edlen Gold Blumen, Rubin, Rosen und Gold Tincktur.
5. f132-238 Processus verus Componirung des aller Stärkesten Azoth Georgii Riplaei und aller Philosophischen Autorum ex Regno Vegetabili und künstlicher wie auch aus andern Verschiedenen Subjectis.
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Chÿmica daß Phÿsicorum Muhlhausen Alchÿmica Chÿmica Starkesten kunstlicher. A collection of treatises. [In French]
1. f1 Priere a Dieu. Le Lîon Verd ou la Grande et la tres excellente Oeuvre des Sages par Jaques le Tesson. Chaudet Decembre 1786.
f2 [Two talismans 'Téosophique', with commentary in French.]
f41v [Pen drawing entitled 'Anneau de Platon' of double ouroboros dragons around a central hexagram with planetary symbols, copied from the frontispiece to Anton Josef Kirchweger, Aurea Catena Homeri, Franckfurt, 1723.]
2. f42-43 La Fontaine D'Aréthuse.
[Engraving inserted after f43 shows classical scene with Asclepius (?) holding rod with serpent entwined, and female figure holding another serpent. Both figures lean on an cubic carved stone, upon which we see a cloaked hermas (?) figure.]
3. f44-50 La Lumiere du jour. trés parfait opuscule ou passage de la mer rouge. [See Philovite (pseud) La Lumiere du Jour.]
f44v [Pen drawing of a 'figura cabalae', which has a man standing with legs and arms outstretched to form a pentagram. The symbols of the seven planets are arrainged around him. There radiates from the name of God Jehovah, at the top of the figure, streams of light. At the centre of the figure is a flaming heart pierced by an arrow. Below is an note, 'extrait cette figure d'un ouvrage du 3 ou 4 tome du theatrum chimique 1787.']
f51 Esculape Egyptien [drawing of Seraphis figure.]
f52 Ecussion Simbolique [fine water colour of heraldic shield with alchemical symbols] let écussion est copiée exactement d'aprés le vitrager qui at daus La Chopelle de St Thomas J'aquin, ancienne eglise de jacobins de la Rue St Jaques.
4. f53-71 Le Trés Preçieux Don De Dieu. Par Gregorius Aurach D'argentine en 1475. [with 12 watercolour figures of 'Donum Dei' process in flask.]
5. f75-83 Etoile de sages. Ex tenebris lux ipsa emerget ipsa enim potuit latibulum suum quia apparuit in monte circumdato caligine et nebula.
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Lion Teosophique' D'Arethuse tres ecussion copiee d'apres Tres Precieux.
1. f2v [4 pen drawings of figures copied from Dionysius Freher.]
2. p1-140 Letters Of Michael Sendivogius to the Rosey Crucian Society found in an Old Manuscript by Ebenezar Sibly 1791.
[See also MSS. 92 and 276.]
[This work was published in French 'Traitez du Cosmopolite nouvellement decouverts ou apres avoir donne unde idee d'une Societe de Philosophes...', Paris, 1691.]
3. p143-195 The Mystery contained in Sandivogius on the generation of metals explained. Communicated in a letter to a friend by Theophrastus Paracelsus. Providentially obtained by Ebenezar Sibly MD 1789.
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Traite des operations chimiques. [In French]. XVIIth century
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Alchimia. 1572. [In German]
f1 Alchimia: Das ist modus preperandi wie durch Alchimistische bereitung alle mettal: mineral: Saltz: gstain: Holtz: Kreiter: Hartz: vnd anders etc: soll berait werden: aus dem Büechern Teophrasti zusamen gezogen. Darneben auch die geburt in kürtz: von etlichen Speci[ebus], sambt den canonischen reglen: Zu besser erkantnus dazu gesetzt: Souiel ich in den obgemelten büchern Teophrasti hab mögen bekumen: aud das treulichest anzaigt. Anno 1572: Leonhart Gagasser.
Register über das Buech modis preparandi oder Alchimia.
[Index to volume.]
f2 Namen der fürnemesten Büecher Teophrasti: darvon disess büechels oder: Auszugs modis preperationis Beschriben Ist.
2. f151 Ein tractat von mineralibus: das ist von den früchten des wassers: des hochgelerten Philipi Theophrasti Bombast von Hohenhaim der philosophi baider artznei Doctoris etc.
3. f212 Von dem Saltz und was das saltz begreifft.
4. f330 Von der stainen geburt und herkomen.
5. f388 Von den hackischen Gluten Aquatilium.
6. f487 Von ausziehung der Quinta essentia aus den kreütern.
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Buechern kurtz buchern mogen uber furnemesten Buecher buechels fruchten kreutern. The Book of that most generous lord, Bernard Count March Trevisan. [In English]. XVIIIth century.
p1 Of the most secret Chemical Work of Philosophers, by means of elaborating nature and art.
p8 Part first of the Chemistry of Lord Bernard Trevisan. On the first Inventions of this art.
p15 Part second, in which are described the huge labours of the author and the great experiences with the singular operations from the beginning to the end, and truly with the most incontravertable success.
p83 Part third of the Book of Lord Bernard Count Trevisan in which he treats of the radexes and principles of the Metals and that by most evident reasons and authorities and Philosophical arguments.
p123-145 Fourth Book of Count March Trevisan of the practice of the Philosophers stone. [The allegory.]
p1-49 [New numbering] The third and last Part. Wherein is declared what the Metals are in their beginning and Principles, and how they ought to be considered.
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Le Rosaire des Philosophes. 16th century.
Translation of Rosarium Philosophorum into French. Includes 20 line drawings of the woodcuts from the 1550 edition.
The text is different from that in no. 372. (MS Ferguson 74). Acquired by Ferguson on 8th March 1897.
At end of volume: Traite de la fontaine des philosophes.
[Dated at end]: '1519'.
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See also
Traité de la fontaine des philosophes. Dated at end: 1519
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Lobiere. Le desuoilement Des Tableaux Mistiques de l'Antiquité, ou La Chrystologie Chimique Diuiseé en trois livres. Dans Lesquels est manifesté ce qui a esté caché, & uoilé par l'Antiquité ou toutes difficultés de l'art sont elucideés du Germe de l'or, de la Genealogie ou regeneration du fils du soleil, avec l'Anatomie de l'eau. 17th century. Inscribed inside back cover: 'MSS XVIIe - Collationné, Complet, Mars 1896. Guaita.'
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l'Antiquite Diuisee manifeste este cache uoile l'Antiquite difficultes elucidees. [Emblem book without title.] 18th century. Four leaves bearing oval engravings of the four elements, two signed 'W. Hamilton det. C. White scut.', followed by sixteen leaves bearing circular drawings of alchemical emblems in ink and watercolour. Some have titles and mottos, some titles only. The inscriptions are all in Latin, except one which is in German. The drawings are on paper which was made in Amsterdam after 1740.
f1-2 [Blank]
f3r-6r4 [Pasted in engravings of the four elements on the recto folios]:
'C. White Scu: W. Hamilton det.'
f7r-22r [16 finely detailed water coloured circular emblems with titles mostly in Latin but two in German.]
1. 'Preparatio Lapidis' [Man sits at table reading from a book while he works a pestle shaped like a caduceus in a mortar.]
2. 'Porta Sapientiae' [Chronos meets Mercury.]
3. 'Preparatio' 2 [Griffin and wolf with black crow below and white bird ascending.]
4. 'Calcinatio prima, labor ipse, solutio prima, hic adumbratur' [Vessel, fountain on table with Ouroborus and Caduceus.]
5. 'Maria Virgo Vel Merc: Duplicati' [Double headed eagle with sword and caduceus, woman with seven stars round head.]
6. 'Separatio lalbi à lacte Virginis' [Tree growing out of vessel with white and red roses in foreground.]
7 'Chaos Pondus naturale' [Crown with planetary symbols.]
8. 'Das Philosoph Ey' [Egg holder with division along centre.]
9. 'Reductio corporum Argenti vivi Creatio Lapidis' [Winged Mercury with caduceus standing in beside dragon.]
10. 'Hermes' [Sun in Zodiac circle with symbol like hieroglyphic monad.]
11. 'Compositio Prima' [Two circles, lower with dragon, upper with tree, green lion, red eagle and crowned bird.]
12. 'Creatio lapidis' [Skeleton holds crow andwhite flower in each hand.]
13. 'Resurrectio'[Christ rising from tomb, as in Rosarium Philosophorum.]
14. 'Rubificatio' [Crowned lion above circle with king in red cloak stands in flames, holding signs of Saturn and Mars.]
15. 'Fermentatio' [Crown above circle with green lion devouring sun, as in Rosarium Philosophorum.]
16. 'Multiplicatio' [Three roses above circle. Pelican feeding its three young on its own blood.
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Treatises on chemistry and medicine. [In Latin]. Mid-15th century. MS. on vellum.
1. f1-81 Sal commune est claviger huius artis et claudit et aperit omnia... quia talis fistula est incurabilis.
[Alchemical work, the first page of which agrees with Albertus Magnus, De alchemia, ed. Zetzner, 1669, ii. 433.]
2. f83-179 Herbarum quasdam dicturus carmine uires.
[List of plants with recipes. See Macer, Johann Gregorius De viribus herbarum, 1510, and many later editions.]
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La nature a découuert. 18th century.
Bookplate of Stanislas de Guaita.
There is a woodcut pasted on the reverse of the flyleaf showing two crowned coats of arms within the space of an arch supported by classical columns. Below in the centre is a three blossomed plant(possibly a lily) with a fire breathing dragon on the left and a wolf on the right.
Vellum folio 1v [Painting of caduceus, blue snakes and brown toad.]
Vellum folio 1r [Painting of two blue snakes around spring or fountain.]
Vellum folio 2v [Full page painting entitled 'L'Esprit cache , secret de l'or des philosophes'. An Atlas figure holds the globe of the Earth with ecliptic and zodiac on his shoulders. He stands upon a sea shore, and a banner runs from one of his hands to the other with 'Visita Interiora Terrae praeter eunda Invenies Occultum Lapidem'. (This is a variation of the Vitriol acrostic found on illustrations in Azoth of Basil Valentine 'Visita Interiora Terrae rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem'). In front of him are seven animals, and to his right 'Prudentia' with a red book and triple-faced head. On his left 'Simplicitas' and a naked infant.]
f1 La nature a decouuert.
f26 La vraye medecine vniuerselle.
f29v La pierre philosophalle
f39v Le Regles generalles touchant la matiere de la pierre.
f52 La science chimique.
f58vActions et misteres de lart.
f73 La chymie chrestienne.
f86v Chymie poetique.
Vellum folio 3r [Full page painting. Beneath seven stars labelled with the planetary symbols is a circular space within which a man lies at the bottom. Upon him as a black crow and two winged figures hover above him with lines linking them to his mouth. This illustration is found in Herbrandt Jamsthaler, Viatorium Spagyricum, Franckfurt, Lucas Jennis 1625.
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Marq. de Beauharnois : La laboratoire d'un philosophe hermetique... &c. [In French]. 1775
1. f2 Gardés ce manuscrit gracieusment. Il est intelligible Le Ms de Beauharnais 1775. Livres avant de faire usage de la manuscrit la Chimie Experimentale de Baume en 4 Vol in 8° imprimé a Paris en 1774. Sevend chez didot le jeune quay des augustins. Livres de Texte de l'Alchimie du Sr. Angot Medicin a Paris en 1694. il est clair et intelligible particulierment sur la matiere dont est composé La mercure du philosophes.
[See Antoine Baumé, Chymie expérimentale et raisonée,Paris, 1773.]
f65-113 [Blank.]
2. f114-120 Manuscrit est intitulé L'Escalier du Sages.
f121-123 [Table of Contents.]
[In similar binding stamped with heraldic crest and in the same hand as MS. Ferguson 35.]
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Marquis de Beaucharnois. Recherches... depuis 1765 jusqu'en 1792. De son age la 79. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
f1 [Note by Ferguson]: 'Aux ames du marquis de La Terte-Beauharnais et de Marie-Anne Pyvart de Chastullé.'
1. f2-8 Maximes Constantes
[Notes and explanations of alchemical terms.]
2. f10-12 Laboratoire.
[At end on f12]: 'Cet article est du Philosophe Esphenor.'
3. f13-140 [Numbered as pages 1-260] Ustencilles du Laboratoire Voyes la Chimie Experimentale et Raisonne De Mr Baumé. M[aitre] apoticaire de Paris. demonstrateur En Chimie a paris, chez S[ieur].F[irmin] Didot la Jeune Libraire de la faculté de Medicine quay de augustins 1774.
[Text in 53 'articles'.]
[See Ms. 34.]
f142-146 [Table of contents of the 'articles'.]
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Lectures on Chemistry by Joseph Black.
[Notes on part of the lectures on the elements of chemistry delivered by Black at Edinburgh University, where he became Professor of Chemistry in 1766.]
[With bookplate of John Whitefoord Mackenzie.]
Acquired by Ferguson in April 1886
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Raimundus Lullius : Testamentum... de lapidibus. [In Latin]. XVIth century.
f1 Testamentum Raimundi Lulli de Lapidibus.
[In different hand] 'Michelangeli'.
f2 Jesus Maria. Incipit Testamentum Angelorum, et Liber sapientiae, ac Tesaurus totius Mundi Lapidarius benedictus Liber secretissimus Angelorum revelatus ab Angelo Domini Dei divino sacroque Doctori celeberrimo Raymundo Lullo Maioricani...
[Some small marginal pen drawings on f17 and f18.]
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Albertus Magnus. Concerning ye secrettes of woomen.
[This is a translation of the text of Albertus Magnus 'De secretis mulierum', various editions 1478-1702, the commentary being omitted.] 17th century.
[35 line drawings in ink on thin paper pasted down on folios 24-36. There is also a small woodcut illustration which has been cut out of a printed book, pasted down on leaf 28 recto.]
With bookplate of Samuel Merriman.
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[Incipit] Llib. pm.' de lxx de alchimia liber divinitatis. [In Latin]. XVth century. MS. on vellum.
1. f1-40 Liber primus de LXX de alchimia. Liber divinitatis.
[Text in two columns with red initial letters to paragraphs.]
[See Geber, 'Liber divinitatis, De Alchemia', various editions, Argentorati 1529, Norimbergae 1541.]
2. f30-39 [A number of extracts and recipes.]
3. f40r-41v [List of chemical substances. With some notes added later.]
4. f41r-58 [Another unidentifiable text in single column.]
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Joseph Black. [Lectures on the elements of chemistry.] 18th century.
[1 folding illustration of Fahrenheit scale of temperatures, some ink drawings in second volume.
These volumes contain notes on part of the lectures delivered by Black at the University of Edinburgh, where he became Professor of Chemistry in 1766.]
[Inscribed]: 'Phillips MSS 17837'
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Librorum Paracelsis. MS. c.1577.
Spine title.
Bookplate of F.G. Irwin, with coat of arms, inside front board. Inscribed: JF 20. v. [18]95.
[Formerly shelved at Bi16-e.24]
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Librorum Theophrasti Paracelsi ex Hohenhaim Germani doctoris secretum secretorum in medicina. [In German.]
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Secreta und arcana von H.G. die er selbst für sich sein ganz hauss und seine guete freund mehrerthail bissher selbst pro secret[o] gebraucht und khein anders dess bissher mitgethailt darumb wann ir diss weit werdt bringen. Werd ichs auch desto haimblicher halten.
This is in the same hand as the Secretum secretorum of Paracelsus which occupies the first 104 leaves of the book
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A collection of sundrie approved receipts in phisike & chirurgerie. With others added of very necessarie use. Early 18th Century.
[Inscribed on the second leaf, in a different hand]: 'The Honourable Laday Stanhopes Book.'
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Arnaldus Villanovanus : De doctrina magistri liber. Eijusdem liber perfecti magistri... [In Latin]. XVIth century.
1. f1-7r Incipit liber de Doctrina magistri Arnaldi de Villa Nova.
2. f7v-17 Incipit Liber perfecti magisteri M. Arnaldi de Villa Nova... Flos Florum...
3. f18-26 Speculum Alchimie quidam dicunt Arnaldi de Villa Nova quidam Joannis Dastin, Roggierii Bachonis de Alchimia libellus.
4. f27-62 Rosarium magnum Joannis Dastin.
[See Arnald de Villanova, 'Chymische Schrifften', Vienna, 1748.]
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[Orthelius] Commentateur de la Nouvelle Lumiere Chimique de Michel Sendivogius polonais, augmentée et ornée de douze figures qui ont ete Trouvées en Allemagne et publies en faveur de Enfans eléves de la Philosophie hermetique traduit d'allemand en latin et de Latin en francois. 17th Century.
[With series of 12 numbered and one unnumbered coloured illustrations.]
p 288 [At end there is pasted in a printed section showing the armorial devices of Nicolas Lambert 1594, Thorin Richard 1595, Pierre Parfait, echevin en 1626, Charles le Comte 1613.]
[12 of these fine watercolour illustrations are found as engraved versions in Commentarius in 'Novum Lumen Chymicum Michaelis Sendivogii Poloni, XII. figuris in Germania repertis illustratum', included in Theatrum Chemicum, 1661, vi. p. 397, also Manget, J.J. Bibliotheca Chemica Curiosa,1702, ii, p. 516.]
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Bernardus Trevisanus. Metallurgia. Late 18th century or early 19th century (the paper is watermarked 1797).
1. p1-29 Metallurgia of the generation of metals and that from metals and minerals alone the Stone of the Wise can be made, by anonymous an experienced hermetic philosopher. But by the language style and allegories surely written by Count Bernard de Treviso, moreover as he quotes his own writings where his name is annexed. Translated from the original German by S:B:
2. p30-31 Process of Leona Constantia, Lady Abbess of Clermont... p.113 i.e. Sunflower of the Wise.
[Short quotations with interpretative notes by Bacstrom. See MS. Ferguson 202]
3. p32 [Short notes by Bacstrom critical of certain manuscripts he has copied].
Bookplate of William Gordon of Fyvie.
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Book of recipes, numerical kabbalistic tables, and extracts from alchemical texts, in Italian and Latin. 16th century.
1. p1-20 [Series of recipes, the first few of which are entitled as follows.]
Olio de Balsamino Composto magistrale. Balsamo Innocentio XI.
Balsamo Simpatico.
Per far se perle Orientali, che Habbino il vero sustro Orientale.
Acqua Balsamina.
Balsamo bianco per ferite.
[and 21 others.]
2. p21-32 Testamento di Bernardo Carletti da Capranica copiato dall'originale. [Various recipes.]
3. p33-42 Secreto Mirabilissimo.
4. p43 Nota carmina. [Verse in Latin.]
5. p44-45 Declaratio supradictorum Carminum.
6. p47-58 Cabala, seu Kabala.
[p48 has pyramidical table of numbers.]
7. p59-75 Lapidis philosophorum dilucidatio, sive lumen indeficiens, fugans mansionum teneas Universas ex Philosopho Santivogio, et quam Plurimis.
8. p76-80 Aurea Clavis Aristei philosophi ad filium. [Latin verse.]
[The Latin verse closely resembles that given in Alexandre Limojon Toussaint de, Lettre d'un philosophe ... ecrite au sujet des instructions qu'Aristee a laissees a son fils... Paris, 1668.]
9. p81-83 Liber tranmissus Alexandro Regi. Qui abstractus est de maiori Opere, quod peribuit Hermogenes, qui dixit. Deus sapientum. [In Latin.]
[At end]: 'Libro mandato ad Rege Alessandro...'
10. p85-87 [Tables of numbers. The page is divided into six sections, each of which conain a table of numbers in 9 columns.]
p88-98 [Pages lined into 6 sections but no numerical tables have been inserted.
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Series of recipes, the first few of which are entitled as follows.
Olio de Balsamino Composto magistrale. Balsamo Innocentio XI.
Balsamo Simpatico.
Per far se perle Orientali, che Habbino il vero sustro Orientale.
Acqua Balsamina.
Balsamo bianco per ferite.
[and 21 others.]
Mainly medical recipes, and household tips (how to remove stains etc.)
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Testamento di Bernardo Carletti da Capranica copiato dall'originale. [Various recipes.]
Carletti bequeathed this book to his sons. The testament includes the date 1489, when Carletti four times tried out experiments given in the book, with Mastro Giovanni and Menico Petina. The testament contains alchemical recipes
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Secreto Mirabilissimo.
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Nota carmina. [Verse in Latin.]
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Declaratio supradictorum Carminum.
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Cabala, seu Kabala.
Scraps of paper, with notes in Italian - one bearing the date 1 December 1839 - have been inserted between pp. 48-49.
p48 has pyramidical table of numbers.
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Lapidis philosophorum dilucidatio, sive lumen indeficiens, fugans mansionum teneas Universas ex Philosopho Santivogio, et quam Plurimis.
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Aurea Clavis Aristei philosophi ad filium. [Latin verse.]
[The Latin verse closely resembles that given in Alexandre Limojon Toussaint de, Lettre d'un philosophe ... ecrite au sujet des instructions qu'Aristee a laissees a son fils... Paris, 1668.]
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Liber tranmissus Alexandro Regi. Qui abstractus est de maiori Opere, quod peribuit Hermogenes, qui dixit. Deus sapientum. [In Latin.]
[At end]: 'Libro mandato ad Rege Alessandro...'
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Friedrich von Spee. Advis aux criminalistes sur les proces des sorciers et sorcieres necessaires aux confesseurs pour se bien conduire en cette affaire au salut et consolation de ces pauvres ames. 17th century. A French translation of Spee's Cautio criminalis. The first printed French translation was published at Lyons in 1660, with the title: Advis aux criminalistes sur les abus qui se glissent dans les proces de sorcelerie... This printed version was the work of F.B. (Frédéric Bouvot) de Vellédor
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Geber. Incipit suma perfecti magisterii Gebrii Regis sup labido phyam... [In Latin]. XVIth century.
[Title on f1]: 'Summa perfecti magisterii Gebrii Regii super lapide phylosophorum editus anno domini 1350.'
1. f3 Incipit Summa perfecti magisterii Gebrii.
[A number of pen drawings of furnaces and alchemical apparatus appear in the text.]
[See Jabir ibn Haiyan, Summa perfectionis magisterii, Venetiis, 1475.]
2. f97 Liber de investigatione perfectionis magisterii. Geber.
3. f108 Incipit prologus libri de septuaginta. Est secretorum liber septuaginta.
4. f134 Incipit Opus Magni magistri Johannis de Rupescissa.
Begins: 'Consyderavi tribulationes electorum...'
[At end f143]: 'Explicit libri huius magisterii magister Johanis de Rupescissa ... anno dom 1350 die 4 octobr.'
[Johannes de Rupescissa, Liber Lucis. See Singer, No. 293. Printed in Theatrum Chemicum, III, p. 284-191.]
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[Pseudo-Solomon] Ars Notoria. 19th Century.
f1 'L'Art du temps le plus court, que le Créateur suprême a revelé à Salomon.' [Added in later hand 'Que le Grand Architecte de l'Univers a rendé à Salomon.] 'Au nom de la Sainte et indivisible Trinite, commence l'Art des Arts, Tres Saint, que le Createur Supreme a communique a Salomon et fait remettre par un Ange sur l'Autel du Temple,...'
f3 Mercure Trismegiste et Apolonius nomment cet Art des Fleurs d'Or.
f5 Chant Secret
f9 Priere Hebraique, elle est composee de Grec, d'Hebreux et de Chaldeen.
Cette Priere Ordonnee par Salomon et qu'aucun langage humain ne peut rendre. Apollonius, ami et successeur de salomon, y voit des Mysteres divins, profonds et tres-Saints; toujours a prononcer avant aucune autre.
[On p. 138]: 'le 26 avril 1826'
[In French, Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Text in black ink with headings, etc in red, placed within double ruled margin.]
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Chemical lectures. By William Cullen. Edinburgh, c.1765.
With bookplate of F.G. Irwin. Inscribed: John Ferguson. May 20 1895.
Binder's title: Chemical lectures.
Formerly shelved at Bi16-e.25.
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The medical properties of chemical bodies, as taken from Dr William Cullen's Lectures, 1765. Notes on lectures delivered by Cullen while Professor of Chemistry at Edinburgh University, to which post he was appointed in 1756.
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An Extract from a Copy of Dr William Cullen's Private Lectures upon Chemistry as applicable to Medicine. [ca 1765.]
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Secrets chimiques et autres. [In Latin & French]. XVIIth century.
f1-3r Table des choses contenues en mon petit Cayer. [Index.]
f3v-4 Explicatio quorunda vocabulum.
f4-7 [Blank.]
1. f7-32 Arcano ducis florentiae.
2. f33-47 [Alchemical notes and recipes in Latin.]
3. f48-51 [Alchemical notes and recipes in French.]
4. f52-84 [Various Alchemical notes in French, in different hand from previous section.]
Stamp inside front board: Ex Biblioteca N.P. Ledru cognomine Comus.
Formerly shelved at Bi16-c.28.
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De ortu aquarum... [In Latin]. XVIIth century.
[Notes probably from an unidentified printed book possibly by Agricola. There are marginal references to page numbers with prefix 'Agr'.. The initial sections are entitled 'De Ortu Aquarum', 'De Thermis', 'De Calore humerorum subterraneorum'.]
[See Georg Agricola, 'De Ortu et causis subterraneorum', libri V, Basel 1546.]
Armorial bookplate of Hopetoun inside front board..
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Demarenzi chimica filosofica, 1.
Collection of alchemical treatises in Italian.
1. f1-65 Dell' Opera Chimica secretissima Filosofica. Libro composito dal Generosissimo signore ilsique Conte Bernardo Trevisano Conte della Marca Trevisana, e piu' La di lui risposta a Tomasso di Bologna Medico del ché delle Gallie dalla Latina lingua nell' Italiana Favella traddotto 1734.
2. f66-94 Altro trattatello parimenti et Filaleta [Philalethes] intitolato Breve guida, che conduce et mano al ponesso del Rubino Celeste traddotto dalla Latina lingua nell' idioma Italiano.
[See 'Musaeum Hermeticum', 1674, p.775-798.]
3. f95-110 Altro trattato parimenti [di] Filaleta entitolato Il Fonte della Filosofia Chimica.
[See 'Musaeum Hermeticum', 1674, p.799-815.]
4. f114-136 Dimmostratione della Natura fatta de essa alli Chimici erranti nel mentre che essa si Lamenta d'un sofista e stolido Spiratore e Carbonario descritta da Gioanni a Mehung e dalla lingua Latina traddotta nell' Italiana favella.
[See 'Musaeum Hermeticum', 1674, p.145-171.]
Binder's title on spine.
Formerly shelved at Bi16-c.34.
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Demarenzi chimica filosofica, 2.
Collection of alchemical treatises in Italian.
1. p3-50 Dottrina Filosofica Vera della generazione delli Metalli e loro Origine tradota dal Tedesco in Latino l'anno 1423. E riddotta alla volgare favella Italiana l'anno 1735.
[See Musaeum Hermeticum, 1674, p.305-322.]
2. p51-120 La Luce inviluppata tra le tenebre, che senza violentare la Natura sen esce, e Mischiava.
3. p121-126 Vera Teoria della Pietra Filosofale.
4. p127-208 [+ 35 unnumbered folios.] Raggio dedotta dall' Ombra Osia Ristretto Teorico della moltiplicata delli nomi con le quali li Filosofi nascondono la materia e che Cosa sia la Materia delli Filosophi Opera d'Autore incerto traddotta dal latino alla volgare favella l'Anno 1735.
5. f1-60r [New numbering.] Le dodici chiavi della Filosofia scritte da Basilio Valentino Religioso dell' Ordine di san Benedetto, lequali trattano della vera medicina Metallica traduzione dall' Latino nella volgare Italiana favella l'Anno 1735.
6. f60v-71 Ora Scieguono [sic] altre Opera del Medesimo Basilio Valentino attinenti alla scienza delli Filosofi Ermetici traddotte dalla Tedesca lingua nella Italiana favella 1735.
7. f72-142 Tratatto dell' Azot Osia metodo per fabbricare l'Oro pascorto delli Filosofi esposto. Per l'attenzione e la Carita che tra delli studiosi dell' Arte il Frate Basilio Valentino dell' ordine de San. Benedetto.
8. f142-165 Idea Perfetta della Filosofia Ermetica O sia Abbreviazione Teorica, e Prattica della Pietro Filosofica vera Augmentata di osservazioni diversi per meglio intendere li principii, e le fondamenti della Natura e della Filosofia Composta da Giovanno Colleson Priore delli' Ordine di San Benedetto e dall' Idioma Latino tradotta nell' Italiana Favella l'Anno 1734.
9. f1-31 [Another new numbering.] Lettera di un certo Monaco Benedittino per nome Efferrario scritta ad un certo Apostolico, nella quale si tratta del vero modo Formare la Pietra delli Filosofi traddotta dalla lingua Lattina nell' Italiana Favella l'Anno 1735.
Binder's title on spine.
Formerly shelved at Bi16-c.35.
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Demarenzi chimica filosofica, 3.
Collection of alchemical treatises in Italian.
1. p1-144 Disertazione della Filosofica Pietra, nella quale La Tomba di Semiramide da un certo Anonimo Fantasticamente, non Ermeticamente sigillata da don Ghebuardo Frischi si apre affineche se qual che sapiente entro d'essa rimivasse veramente vuota di quei Reggi tesori che promessi ni furono ritrovata sia. Traddotta dall idioma Latino nell' Italiana Favella l'Anno 1736.
[See Gebhard Frisch, Anatomia Alchymiae, Parmae, 1695.]
2. p1-27 [New numbering.] Seguitano le altre Opere di Frischi Cioe il Tumulo aperto di Cumete, Poi anco L'esame Alchimistico, indi al Biffolio Metallico e per ultimo, l'Anatomia dell'Alchimia Opere Composte dall' insigne Adepto in latino et ora traddotte da un suo scolatto nella vulgar favella 1737.
3. p1-115 [New numbering.] Discorso della Medicina Cattolica Composto in Tedesco Autor anonimo indi tradotto in Latino dall autore della sorti sibilline dippoi in Lingua volgare Italiana l'anno del sique 1737.
4. p117-209 Arcano della Ermetica Filosofia Opera Nella quale le cose occulte, che alla Pietra Filosofica appartengono tanto rigguardo alla Materia, quanto al modo di operare, ordinatamenta si Manifestano Tratato. Dell' autor Anonimo/ Espaniet/ Penes nos unda tagi.
[See Jean d'Espagnet (anagram 'Penes nos unda Tagi'), 'Arcanum hermeticae philosophiae opus', Paris, 1651.]
5. p210-211 [Line drawings of alchemical apparatus, vessels and furnaces.]
6. p213-406 [Alchemical notes in Italian.]
Binder's title on spine.
Formerly shelved at Bi16-c.36.
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La maniere de tirer l'esprit de miel... (and other secrets, &c.) [In French]. XVIIIth century.
1. f1-3r [Extracts in French on alchemy. Incomplete, begins with Chapter 8 and continues to chapter 11. Chapter 8 is entitled 'Sa maniere de tirer l'Espirit du miel'.]
2. f3r-20 [Continues in Latin with passages in French, following the title 'Mundatio Salis Communis'.]
3. f21-28 [Recipes in French, in different hand from previous section.]
[References to works by Ripley on f16v 'Viaticum Georgii Riplaeii', and f18v 'Opus valde bonum ex Piplaeii factum'.]
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George Ripley. [The compound of alchymie.] The compound of Sr George Ripley Chanon of Bridlington. Dedicated to K. Edw. ye 4th. Also contains a number of receipts in Latin, Dutch, French and English, and an account (in English) of experiments made on 20 April and 3 June, 1602. Late 16th century-early 17th century. The compound of alchymie was first published at London in 1591. This text differs considerably from that of the printed version. Inscribed: Phillipps MS 9631. This was one of the manuscripts which Phillipps bought from Thomas Thorpe in 1836 (Phillipps Studies III: 80-86). Bookplate of Joseph Haslewood
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The Codicil or Vade mecum of Raymund Lully that very learned Philosopher. In which the Fountains of the Alchimic art and more hidden Philosophy are most copiously laid open. The second Edition, in which innumerable places, by Collation of many Copies, are restored, and many things before omitted, supply'd. Cologn. To be had of the Heirs of Arnold Birckman 1572, with Special Grant of his Royal Majesty for ten years. Late 18th or early 19th Century.
Inscribed inside fly leaf: 'This manuscript was translated at the expense of Dr Sibley, and was never published in English.'
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Arcana chemica. [In German]. XVIIth century.
I[n]: N[omine]: S[acro] S[anctae]: Tr[initatis]: et ad M[aiorem]: B[eatae]. V[irginis]. M[ariae]. G[loriam]: Praxis et Processus Der Edlen [Sun-gold symbol] bluemen, Rubin, Rosen, und goldne Tinctur.
[Incipit]: 'Recipe Erstlich des allerschönsten Goldes...'
[Recipes and notes in German on alchemical processes.]
[c.f. MS. Ferguson 23, folios 116-131.]
[On spine]: 'Arcana Chemica MS.'
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Mary Harrison. [Book of recipes] 17th century.
The recipes are chiefly medical, beginning: 1. To knitte a vaine ; 2. For pising abed ; 3. A remedy for an inward brusse ; 4. For the wind and collicke ; 5. For the dropsy... Care of livestock is included, with recipes for cattle (nos 223, 231, 254, 260), poultry (nos 291, 293, 301), calves (no. 294), horses (no. 180) and pigeons (no. 106).
There are also household recipes, e.g. no. 279: Stuff to rub mens shoos & bouts with to prevent soking in water ; no. 318: To clean pictuers when durty.
An earlier hand than that of Mary Harrison numbered pages 1-40 and wrote the recipes on pp. 1-39. Mary Harrison wrote on a fly-leaf: Mary Harrison her Book 1692 and wrote the majority of the other recipes, numbering all the recipes from 1 to 330 and providing an index on pp. 170-175 for nos 1-277.
The date 1699 occurs on p. 55 with a recipe for the plague; on p. 129 there is mention of the writer being at Aston in 1710.
The names of people from whom recipes have been gathered include Mr Mathias (no. 12), Lady Palgrave (no. 21), Lady Lake (no. 34), Madm Harrvey (no. 112), Lady van de Ants (no. 130), Lady Levet (no. 139), Mr Knowles (nos 164, 258), Dr Coxe (nos 169, 170), Goody Marnham (no. 230), Goodman Dykes (no. 231), Lady Sharlowe (no. 232), Mrs Atleye (no. 256), Dr West (no. 316), Mrs Shervill (no. 317), Mr Sumers limner (no. 318), Mrs Napps (no. 319) and Goody Wesbrook (no. 328). Other names are Mrs Greenhill (p. 59) and Nancy East (p. 130). Personal notes relating to the writer are on pp. 16, 129.
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John Francis Vigani. Seignior Vigani's Course of chymistry at Cambridge, Coll. Regin. die Novembr. 19. 1705. Materia medica. by Seignr. Vigani. Inscribed on binder's fly-leaf: E libris Carol. S. Sherrington
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Liber Turbe philosophorum. 1435. Amaldus Villanovanus : Rosa morella magistri. 1435. [In Latin]. XVth century.
1. f1-50 Incipit liber Turbe philosophorum. Arisleus philosophus. Inicium libri Turbe philosophorum. Qui dicitur Codex veritatis.
[See Singer No.1.]
2. f51-62 De quibusdam vegetabilibus congelativis et indurativis.
3. f67-71 Aliqua extracta et Practica Magistri Johannis de Nanis de Viterbo 1470.
4. f72-82 Liber Secretissimus secretorum Geberis de ordine in projectione aggregationis omnium corporum liquabilium purgatorum.
5. f83-89 Rosa Novella Magistri Arnaldi de Villa Nova 1435.
[At end f89]: 'Explicit Rosa Novella Magisteri Arnoldi de Villa Nova. 1495.'
6. f91-98 Triginta questiones Arnoldi de villa noua super opus maius.
[MSS. Ferguson 63, 76, 135 and 192 are four uniform alchemical notebooks probably once bound together, written by a north Italian scribe identified in MS. Ferguson 76 as 'John Visio'.]
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Handbüchlein Zu welchem ordentlich beschriben ist Newe von mir/ nebst Göttlichen Hilfe/ ausgemachte Vniversal Tinctur, mit der ich alle unvollkommene Metall nach Verlangen Vniversliter ind das beste und feineste Golg tingirt und verendert habe, auch mich deren bis in die 33igste Jahr gebrauchet. 17th Century.
[8 fine watercoloured drawings.]
f15 [Empty flask.]
f20 [Red lion with flask with red liquid.]
f21 [Flask with red liquid.]
f24v [Crow with flask containing black liquid.]
f26 [Peacock with flask containing multi-coloured liquid.]
f27 [White swan with moon in beak, holding flask with white liquid.]
f29 [Crowned black king with flask containg red liquid.]
f30v [Crowned black queen holding sun and moon.]
[On f37 at end]: 'Franciscus Dominicus Lukvni. Anno 1675'.
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Aegidius de Vadis. Dialogus nature et filius phil. sup. lapidi forum. [In Latin]. XVIth century.
1. f1-27r (pp.1-53). Aegidius de Vadis anglici prologus in dialogum, naturam et filium philosophie super lapide philosophorum.
[See Aegidus de Vadis, 'Dialogus inter naturam et filium philosophiae', Francofurti, 1595.]
2. f27v-33v (pp.1-13). Tractatus de lapidibus preciosis.
3. f34-35v (pp.1-4) Telesmu Hermetis
[Tabula Smaragdina in Latin, with commentary.]
4. f35v-42 (pp.4-18) Epistola Ioannis Dastini de lapidi de philosoforum ad dominum stapilthon cardinale que quidem epistola est sale mixta qua nihil intanctum relinquat.
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Collection of alchemical receipts, with index. [In Italian]. XVIIIth century
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Libro intitulato Il tesoro del mondo di Pietre Antonio Neri - che tratta di Alchimia con diverse figure, non solo di forni, uasi, et instrumenti chimici, ma altre figure intorno alle miniere di tutti i metalli. 16th century. In Latin and Italian, various hands. Contemporary limp vellum binding. Ff. [1-vii] blank.
fviii- xix Indice [List of contents.]
f xxvii [Coloured drawing of two flasks set upon furnaces.]
f xxviii [Coloured drawing of water bath apparatus.]
f1 - 40 [40 coloured drawings of alchemical process.]. Pen and water-colour illustrations of alchemical symbols, alchemical processes and other preparations on ff. [xxvii, xxviii], 1-40, 53, 58, 70, 77, 79, 86-90, 92, 93, 104, 105, 135, [190]. The recipes contain also: f.98 Mirabil esperimento di frate Gregorio quale fu discipulo di Arnoldo de Villa nova ; f.141v Bianco del Duca Cosmo di Medici. With inscriptions: f.[xxvii]v Di: me prete Anto Neri Fioro: 1598 ; f.[190]r à di 12 di Gennaro 1599 Martedi ; f.[i]r J[ohn] F[erguson] Oct. 9 1879. E White
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[Christian Knorr Von Rosenroth]. Aesch Mazareph. Sive ignis purificans. [In English]. XVIIth century.
1. f1-52 Aesch Mezareph: sive Ignis Purificans.
[Note added in later hand]: 'collected out of the Kabbalah Denudata, abridged beginning at page 1'
[On inside front cover at top]: 'in 1710 I first heard of this treatise' [and] '23 Augst 1712'.
[Very similar to Westcott's edition 'AEsch Mezareph or purifying fire', London, 1894, but this manuscript breaks off partway through the last chapter.]
2. f53-69 [Quotations out of Kabbalah Denudata.]
[Notes in Latin with page references to Knorr von Rosenroth's 'Kabbala Denudata seu doctrina Hebraeorum...', Sulzbaci, Francofurti, 1677-84.]
f70-75 [Blank.]
3. f76 [Table at end as index to references to Cabbalistic Chemistry and the Philosophers' Stone in the Kabbalah Denudata.]
f77 [Table of Cabbalistic Tree of Life.]
4. [3 folios inserted 'Collections out of Kunkel', notes in English.
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Petrus Kertzenmacher. Alchimia. [In German.] 17th Century.
Transcript of 1613 edn. See 'Alchimia, das ist, alle Farben, Wasser, Olea, Salia und Alumina, damit man alle corpora, spiritus und calces, Praeparit, Sublimirt und Fixirt, zubereyten', Franckfurt am Mayn, 1613.
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Marbodeus. De natura lapidum. On vellum. Early XVIth century.
[Manual of precious stones with verses and descriptions.]
[The verses corresponding to the gems are the same as are found in Marbodus, 'De lapidibus pretiosis enchiridion', Friburgi, 1531.]
[Inscribed on f1v]: 'Marbodeus gallus autor'.
[Added in later hand]: '1530'
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Traites alchemiques. 13 treatises. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
f ii Table des Traites.
1. f1 Lettre d' Ephistion a Alexandre contenant l' Entretien, d' Heraclite, Democrite et Ephestion, sur la Nature er les Effets. Traduite sur L' Original grec qui est dans la Biblioteque du grand seigneur.
2. f12r Extrait d' une autre Lettre sur Lacier et layman du Cosmopolite.
3. f13v Extrait du veau dor de Jean Frederic Helvetius.
4. f31 Chapitre IV. De la generation des pierres [dierres] minerales ou matrices des metaux, et comment la nature prepare le Souphre Solaire.
5. f38 Des agens metaliques Livre II. Chapitre I. Du moyen d'Extraire l' Esprit Mineral.
6. f46 Chapitre II. Du Souphre Moteur.
7. f53 Extrait de quelques endroits tires de Chortolasse docteur Endroit sindie [sic] D' Estralzund et grand philosophe, ou le grand et petie peysan.
8. f59 Practique de l' hauteur dit Cortolasse.
9. f60 Claire Explication de lapiere des Philosophes.
[These last two may be only subheadings.]
10 f65 Fragmens du Mistere de la Nature oculte, de Valkius, Disciple de Chortolasse.
11. f70 Extrait de quelques endroits de l' Epitre Ecrite par de Chortolasse á l' Electeur de Cologne pour servir des recapitulation et Conclusion, au petit traité precedent.
12. f74 Extrait de quelques autheurs qui sont dans le Théatre Chimique.
[Extrait de la Tourbe, Rosarium Philosophorum, Ludus Puerorum, Isaac Holland, etc.]
13. f79 Remarques d' un anonyme. Extrait de Larmoinie Mistique de Lagneau.
14. f81 L' autheur de traité du Sel estoit un medecin de Copenhague qui se nommoit Harprecht.
15. f85 Questions Essentielles de Boniface VIIIe a maitre Arnault de Villeneufue.
16. f94v Questions accidentelles du dit Boniface au mesme autheur.
17. f102 Lettre d' un philosophe anonime a son file.
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See also
Thesaurus pauperum Petri Hispani pontifici Romani philosophi et medici doctissimi de medendis morbis humani corporis. 18th Century.
[Medical treatise.]
[See Pope John XXI, 'Thesaurus pauperum', Venetia, 1531.]
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See also
Catalogus librorum duumvirorum Joh. Westreng et Had. Beverlandi.
[Printed and MSS. Printed catalogue in Latin dated 1692, numbered as pages 3-46. Manuscript catalogue in Latin dated 1693.]
[Bookplate of Hadrian Beverland.]
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Le rosaire des philosophes. 16th century.
[With 21 line drawings, copies of the woodcuts in the printed work the 'Rosarium Philosophorum', which was first published in' De Alchimia opuscula complura veterum philosophorum', Francoforti, 1550. Ferguson in his Bibliotheca chemica, II, p. 287, writes: '...there is a translation in French, which as far as I know, was not printed, but of which I have seen a copy in manuscript with the pictures finely executed with pen and ink'.]
The Rosarium philosophorum was first published in Latin at Frankfurt in 1550. Ferguson, Bibliotheca chemica, II, p. 287, writes: "...there is a translation in French, which so far as I know, was not printed, but of which I have seen a copy in manuscript with the pictures finely executed with pen and ink." With bookplate of P. Desq. Inscribed by Ferguson: J.F. 24. ii. 90.
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Triarchia siue Triplex imperium planetarum & artium metallorum in tractatus seorsim disjunctos divisa... Oxoniae. 1597. Dedicatory epistles to Sir Thomas Walmesley, signed R.A.
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Roger Bacon. Tracts. XVth century.
1. f1-26r Incipit tractatus Rugierii Baconis medici et fundamentum suum et summarium perfecta putrefacto rei...
[See Singer No.69.]
2. f26r Explicit libri finis de Bachoni ordinis minorum Lib 2.
3. f26v-28v Tractatus Marie Prophetisse.
4. f29-33 [Recipes.]
f33v-40 [Blank.]
5. f41-80 [Various treatises and recipes in Latin, with some notes in Italian.]
[MSS. Ferguson 63, 76, 135 and 192 are four uniform alchemical notebooks probably once bound together, written by a north Italian scribe identified in MS. 76 as 'John Visio'.]
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Various alchemical treatises in French. 18th Century.
f1 [Engraving of Copernican sun centred cosmos entitled 'le Systeme du Monde' bearing date 1638, has been pasted in.]
1. f2 Le Vrai Principe pour la transmutation, des metaux de Planis Campy. A Paris. Transcrit par Jean [ ] en l'Annee 1787, et finis en 1788.
f3 (p i -ix) Préface.
2. f8 (p1-34) La lumière Sortie des ténèbres, où l'interpréte pour la Transmutation des métaux, poudre de Projection, Médicine Universelle, et la Pierre Filozofale.
3. f24 (p35-52) De la Matière que les filozofes doivent prendre. Et de toutes ses Circonstances. Section Seconde.
4. f33 (p53-75) Des Opérations, Feux, Fourneaux, Vazes, Poins, Tems, Couleurs, Perfections, Naissance, Augmentation & Projection de la pierre. Section 3.
5. f44v (p76) Table des Chapitres & Annotations ou Explications Contenuës en ce Traité filozofique.
6. f45 (p77) La Pierre Filozofale.
7. f46 (p79-92) Petit traité sur le Trézor Filozofique de la Médecine Métallique Traduit de l'Italien en Français.
8. f52v (p92-95) Oeuvres admirable, appellée lumière des lumieres.
[Inscribed at end of p96]: 'Par R. Pere Gabriel de Castaigne Docteur en Theologie, Conseiller, aumonier du Roi & couventuel d'Avignon'.
9. f55-62 [Seven circular engravings from the Musaeum Hermeticum are pasted onto the folios with a commentary below. Four emblems from Daniel Stolcius Hortulus Hermeticus are pasted above an engraving of 'La Resurection de Jesus' crudely coloured. Also there are six engravings of alchemical apparatus, and a copy in pen of a table from the Calendarium Naturale Magicum.]
10. f63 (p1-19) Traité de l'Or Potable. L'Or Potable Rendu en Liquer où Beame De Vie des Anciens Chimistes, dévoilé de Toutes Figures Cachées desdits; lequel à été Trouvé parmi les Ecrits de Raymon Lulle Ainsi que dans ceaux de Nicolas Flamel.
11. f72v (p20-42) Traité du sel des filozofes en faveur des curieux et des adeptes. En forme de Dialogues.
12. f84 Maniere de recueillir La véritable Matière première de la Pierre Filosofale Pour la Transmutation des métaux, la Poudre de Projection & la Medicine Universele. Le privilège du Roi... 1628.
Secret des secrets Dans lequel est Dévoilé les plus profonds Mistères, comme aussi [auffi?] les Similitudes les plus obscures, des Philosophes suivis par Lettres Alphabethiques à ne pouvoir sy méprendre. [ineprendre?.] Cet ouvrage vient de Nicolas Flamel.
f128 Table des matière contenuës, & entenduës en Cette Partie, par Lettres Alphabetiques [Table of content of this vast item.]
f131v [Circular drawing with 'Mors in Me, Vita in Me'.]
[Dated at bottom]: 'ce Manuscrita été fini de Jourd'huy Vingt Juin 1788'.
f132 [Drawing of caduceus with kabbalistic correspondence of letters and numbers.]
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See also
Theatrum philosophorum chymicum Venetiis impressum. 17th Century.
[Short extracts and notes, in Latin and German, from alchemical tracts. Index to pieces on f117-121.]
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Nicolas Staphorst. Officina Chymica Londinensis Sive Exacta notitia Medicamentorum Spagyricorum, Quæ apud Aulam Societatis Pharmaceuticae Londin. præparantur, & venalia prostant. Consilio Pharmacopæ et Approbatione Collegii Medicorum Londinensium exhibitum. Opera et Studio Nicolai Staphorst, oper. Chym. dict. Societatis. Prostant venales apud Guiliel. Miller, ad Insigne Glandis Aureæ in Coemeterio D. Pauli. MDCLXXXV. Contemporary MS copy of the edition printed in London in 1685. Armorial bookplate of Hugh W. Diamond, F.S.A., surgeon, and inscription: 'H.W. Diamond, F.S.A. Amicitiæ erga D.D.J.Y. Akerman 26o die Januarii MDCCCXL.'
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Geber. [Summa perfectionis magisterii.] 15th century. Stamped: Sir T P [Thomas Phillipps] Middle Hill 1336. This is one of a group of manuscripts described in the Phillipps catalogue as 'Ex Bibliotheca Monteil, & Royez, Parisiis.' Amans-Alexis Monteil (1769-1850) was a historian and author of Traité des matériaux manuscrits de divers genres d'histoire; many of his manuscripts were sold in 1835. Royez was a Paris bookseller. Inscribed: John Ferguson Glasgow Tuesday 22 June 1897 The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Day. This is my memorial of it - What could be more appropriate - My first Alchemical investment was the Dantzig "Geber" purchased in May 1859 from Quaritch - this also is from B.Q.!.
For detailed description see N.R. Ker, Medieval manuscripts in British libraries, vol. 2 (Oxford, 1977), p. 886.
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Les clefs de la philosophie occulte. [In French]. XVIth century.
1. f i Characteres Chimiques. [List of alchemical symbols.]
f iv [Index of contents of volume.]
2. p1 [Notes on transmutation of metals.]
3. p5-423 Les Clefs de la philosophie occulte. [Alchemical recipes in French, taken from various texts]:
Huyle d'Antimone de Roger Bacon.
L'Oeuvre de Paracelse.
La Magie naturelle & La Clavicule de Remond Lulle.
Oeuvre philosophique de Jean Sanier.
Secrets tirez du liure intitule Sapientia Universalis De Jean Pierre Fabre Medicin a Montpellier.
Ce qui suit est pris de oeuvres minerales & vegetables de M Jean Isaac Holandois.
L'Oeuvre de Nicolas Flamel.
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Historia experimentalis chemicae. [In Latin]. XVIIth century.
[213 Alchemical processes, divided into sections]:
Experimenta in Vegetab.
Experimenta in Animalib.
Experimenta in Fossil.
Experimenta de Effervescentia.
Historia Praecipitationis, Historia Odorum.
Historia Saporum.
Historia Colorum.
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Raimundus Lullius : Opera. XVth century. Phillipps MS. 2318.
1. f1-148 Incipit theorica Raimundi Lulii. In arte maiori. Que est prima pars testamenti.
[See Singer No.244.]
f149-160 [A number of circular diagrams in red and black ink.]
2. f162-212 Thesaurus infinitus Raimondi vel Codicillum vel vade mecum de numero philosophorum.
[Inscribed at end on f212]: 'Explicit thesaurus infinitus deo gratias 1468, mensi februarrii, die nona omnibus incomplens hora 2nd Amen.' [See Singer No.252.]
3. f212v-214 Incipit afforismii. Aurum philosophorum lapis est...
[Inscribed at end on f214]: 'Explicit practica raimundi lullii...'
f214v-215r [Two diagrams in red and black ink.]
4. f216-231 Compendium Practica magistri raimundi de compositione lapidis philosophorum. [See Singer No.253 Anima artis transmutacionis.]
5. f236-240v Incipit epistola magistri raimundi... [See Singer, No. 250.]
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[A collection of recipes for painting, japanning, etching, varnishing, cosmetics, agriculture, gardening, etc.] In English. 18th century. With a few diagrams in line and wash.
[A 20 page index is on pages 505-524.]
[Notes on page 457 on calculating annuities suggests a date of 1735 for this manuscript.]
Bought by Ferguson on 16 May 1902 at the Ford sale.
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Ripley's Epistles. 17th century.
1. p1-80 Sir George Ripley's Epistle to King Edward unfolded. [English.]
[In later hand]: 'From D. of Marlborough's Library (Octr. 28. 1819.) F Stewart Ch Ch [Christ Church college] Oxon 1821.'
2. p81-128 Another copie of the same (from Mr Sympson) 1669 More perfect, and (as it seems) more genuine. [English.]
3. p129-139 Praeparatio Mercurij ad lapidem per Regulum c tum & Lunam ex Mss Philosophi Americani. [Latin.]
[A translation of this was published in Eirenaeus Philalethes, Ripley Reviv'd, London,1618, with the title: 'Experiment for the preparation of the sophick mercury, by Luna, and the Antimonial-Stellate-Regulus of Mars, for the Philosopher's Stone'. One of the experiments given in the printed version has here been inserted in the margin, in Latin, by a different hand, and is said to be from 'Mr. Cooper's copy 1677', presumably Willam Cooper, the publisher of Ripley Reviv'd.]
4. p141-163 A Breviary of Sr George Ripleys Compound of Alchemy Or a Paraphrasticall Epitome of his Twelve Gates.
[This second version is almost the same as that published in Ripley Reviv'd, with the title: 'An exposition upon Sir George Ripley's Epistle to King Edward IV'.]
5. p164-174 Epta amici [drawing of key] loco in Anonyma. Vidi Lib Mistrel 4to...
[Latin, in different hand. Mentions Sendivogius on p. 170.]
6. p176-180 [Bibliographical notes by F. Stewart, the owner of this manuscript in 1821.]
Inscribed: 'From D. of Marlborough's Library (Oct. 28, 1819), i.e., the White Knights Library, near Reading, property of George Spencer Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough. Also inscribed: 'Bought at Reading,' and, in a different hand, 'F. Stewart Ch Ch Oxon 1821.' At the end of the manuscript there is a long note by F. Stewart, dated 1821, and ending: 'The value of this is undoubtedly very great.' The manuscript was acquired by John Ferguson on March 16, 1887.
Formerly shelved at Bi16-e.1.
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George Starkey. Sr George Ripley's Epistle to King Edward unfolded. 17th century. Another copie of the same (from Mr Sympson) 1669. More perfect, and (as it seems) more genuine. The second version is almost the same as that published in Ripley reviv'd, 1678, with the title: An exposition upon Sir George Ripley's Epistle to King Edward IV.
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George Starkey. Præparatio Mercurij ad Lapidem per Regulam [alchemical symbol: ferrum] [alchemical symbol: Sal Ammoniac]tum & Lunam ex MSS phi Americani. 17th century. A translation of this was published in Ripley revid'd, 1678, with the title: Experiments for the preparation of the sophick mercury, by Luna, and the Antimonial-Stellate-Regulus of Mars, for the Philosophers Stone. One of the experiments given in the printed version has here been inserted in the margin, in Latin, by a different hand, and is said to be from 'Mr. Cooper's copy 1677,' presumably William Cooper, the publisher of Ripley reviv'd
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George Starkey. A Breviary of Sr George Ripleys Compound of Alchemy Or a Paraphrasticall Epitome of his Twelve Gates. 17th century. Published in Ripley revid'd, 1678, with title: A breviary of alchemy; or A commentary upon Sir George Ripley's recapitulation: being a paraphrastical epitome of his Twelve gates
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The works of Samuel Hieron. Early 18th Century.
167 horoscope charts of named individuals with index, and some with notes in Latin or English.
f ii-iv Index.
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Libro di diversi segreti, avertisca bene, chi li vorrà mettere in opera, ci manca la chiave della chiave. 17th century. In Italian. Fols 1-71 contain alchemical recipes. Fols 72-93 contain an index, with additional recipes interspersed
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Memorandum mineralogica. XIXth century.
Notes on minerals in English, with an index.
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Libro de varios secretos naturaleza del Maestro Francisco Aymar, Bachiller en Medicina Naturalide Valencia. 17th century.
[From the Biblioteca Pública de Lima. De Doctor Juan Francisco de Ayala.]
1. f1 Een el nombre de iesuchristo. Aqui comjenca vn libro que hordeno maestre francisco aymar bachiller en medezina deualensia natural elqual libro habla delos secretos de philosophia tornados de griego enlatin, y delatin en romanse, y el dicho maestre francisco los declara como dicho es...
2. f4 [Curious Genealogy of the scientific tradition:] ...E Aristoteles escomenso a descubrir los grandes y largos secretos escondidos, E depues remon [Lull] resibio los otros secretos de aristoteles, E pedro despaña [Petrus Hispanus] resibiolos de remon, E fray juan deroca cisa [Johannes de Rupescissa] resibio los de pedro despaña y el maestre francisco aymar resibiolos de fray juan de rosasisa, E yo mastre francisco alonso el mayor de los dicipulos, criado del dicho maestro francisco aymar resibio los dichos secretos del en caridad siempre lansando los antepasados y otros muchos autores philosophos los resibieroin destos sobre dichos sabios, y la sentencia es esta: a gloria y honra y loor de nuestro Señor iesuchristo. In Spanish.
Stamped: Biblioteca Publica de Lima. Inscribed: De Dr Iuan Franco de Ayala. Bookplate of Elkan Nathan Adler. Inscribed: Bought at a bookshop in Gallao, Nov. 1902. ENA
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Various tracts on Alchemy, Theology, Logica Peripatetica, in Latin and English.
1. f1 [Notes in English.]
2. f2-3 Nota Metaphysica ex Schublero. [Latin.]
3. f4-5r De Alchimia, ex Prolegomenis Grataroli. [Latin.]
4. f5v-10r Chrysorrhoas: sive Dialogus de Arte Chymica huius Auctore Osiander Gratarolo videtur.
5. f10v-27r Dialogus cui nomen Lignum Vitae:Autore Johanne Brachoser. Lingua Italica ab ipso authore primum fixit: his in Latinam a Gratarolo conversus.
[See Gratarolo, Verae Alchimiae Artisque Metallicae, Basileae, 1561.]
6. f27v-125 [Theological tract in English.]
7. [Reversed at end of Manuscript] f125 Logica Peripatetica ex optimis quibusquam Aristotelicis intelligentibus viam Peripateticam insistentibus certis systematibus definitionibus divisionibus corollariis contenta. [Text in Latin with some notes in Greek.]
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Ripley on alchemy. 17th century.
Bookplate of C.I. and E. Knight (Franks 17301). Signed on first leaf: Wm Goddard.
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Collectanea ex Nortonii Angli Originali istius qui scripsit Anno 1477. Regni Edw. 4 an. 17. [English and Latin.] 17th century.
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Iohannis von Letzen Doctoris. Tractat von dem steine der Philosophen.
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Lapidis Philosophici Theoria Philippi a Ravillasco Piemontani Magi et Philosophi sui Temporis incomparabilis. [In English.] 17th century
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This is taken out of the second chapter out of the bouk intitulated the whole compound of Alchymie of Elixir of Philosophers.
[English with some sections at end in Latin.]
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Recipe in Latin.
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Medulla Alchymiae Georgii Riplaei Angli. Dedycated to Thomas Ruthall Bishop of Durham and compiled in English of ye autor himselfe anno Co. 1476... In Latin. 17th century
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Philorcium Alchymistarum Georgii Riplaei Angli. [Latin.] 17th century
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Pupilla Philosophiae Georgii Riplei Angli. [Latin.] 17th century
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Accipe terram de terra et fratrem terrae quae non aliud est qua aqua, et terra est ignis de terra praetiosissima... [By George Ripley]. Latin. 17th century
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Concordantia Raymundi Lullii & Guidonis Philosophi Graeci per Georgium Riplaeum Anglum. [Latin.]. 17th century
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Visio Georgii Riplaei Canonici de Bridlington. [Latin.] 17th century.
With 4 pen drawings of furnaces.
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Clavis aureae portae Georgii Riplaei Angli. 17th century
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Argumenta contra Alchymiae veritatem pugnantia.
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A Preparation for Mushrooms [English.]
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Verse in English and German.
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Etsi quidem haec missa nec Riplaeum nec alium certum. [Latin.]
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The Work of Dickinson. [English verse.]
'When Phoebus with his Rayes bright
Through the Rayne takes his flight
His heate is then for norishinge
To the earth and every other thing
That Sapp and roote doth then revive
By Phoebus heat attractive
etc.'
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Practica Philippa à Ravillasco Piemontani. [In Latin.]
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The Mystery of Alchymy compiled by George Riply chanon Regular of Bridlington. [English verse.]
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Diagram of Ripley's Wheel. Some text in Latin, and some in English.
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Cantilena G. Riplei. [Latin.]
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Michael Sendivogius : Extraits des lettres de Michel Sendivogius, ou de Jean Joseph Dumont Ida, nomme cosmopolite. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
1. p1-183 Extrait des Lettres de Michil Sendivogius, ou de Jean Joseph Dumont Ida, nommé Cosmopolite. [Sixty letters addressed to 'A tres Excellent, et tres digne associe a l'academie cabaliste des philosophes Inconnus. T.V.Z.']
2. p185-234 Le Sceau ou hieroglifique De la Societe des philosophes Inconnus. Le Statuts et ordonnances des Philosophes Inconnus. [Seal on a piece of paper here inserted.]
3. p235-371 Crosparmier. Abrege de Toute la Philosophes [Inconnus].]
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Christoph Reibehand. Filium Ariadnes or The New Chymick Discourse of ye horrible seducing errours of Chymists, whereby they deceive and are deceived and of ye True sole way of the Antient for to get the Great Secret, how to proceed and how ye Particulars are to bee wrought upon experimental knowledge set forth in love to ye Neighbour, which hitherto have not been revealed By Henry of Batsdorff, Hermundarus printed ye 2d time Anno 1639. 17th century. Heinrich von Batsdorff was the pseudonym of Christoph Reibehand. Filium Ariadnes was first published in German in 1636; the second edition was published in 1639.
On the reverse of the flyleaf, there is a note critical of this work in pencil by S.B. i.e Sigismund Bacstrom.
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Alchemical and astrological notebook of A. Mereau. [In French]. XVIIth century.
[On f1]: 'Cepressant livre apartieu a moi Jacques Choulteis Cavaillier au Regiment Royalle Roussillon Compagnie De Lorenceute en garnisson a Saumur en anjoux fait a Berrus le Deux fevriev l'ane De grace 1791 Choulteis'.
[Text has some sections in code, the key to which has been pasted onto the inside front and end rear covers of the MS. There are two pen portraits of Mereau, and numerous drawings of alchemical apparatus, furnaces, etc. There is a section devoted to astrology which has a number of horoscope charts. A section at the end has a number of symbolic alchemical drawings in black and red ink.
On cover there are some words in code followed by : 'Elvoh a servez a la gloire de Dieu et au salut de [ ] ame A.M.
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Untitled volume of French texts on transmutation. 18th century.
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Advis d'un père à son enfant. Advice for experiments on transmutation. The work was originally in Arabic; it was translated into Latin and this ms. is the French translation made by M.P. in July 1710. There follows, pp. 30-31, Le Son de la trompette [taken from 'fol. 30 recto' of the copyist's text], and Des Poids du ferment [taken from 'fol. 51 recto']
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Le jardin des richesses de toute la sapience divine de George Aurach Allemand grand philosophe. Directions for experiments on transmutation
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Livre de la fontaine perilleuse avec La chartre d'amours autrement intitulé Le songe du verger... avec commentaire de J. G[ohory] P[arisien]. Paris: Jean Ruelle, 1572.
In verse. A transcript of the printed work, of which there is a copy in the Library of Congress. There are corrections to the verse text in a late 19th century hand.
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Rosengarten der Philosophen, [d.i.] zwei[ter] theil der Alchimie, von der warhafftigen weise, Den philosophischen Steyn zu bereitenn, Jnhaltende den rechten vorganck derselbigen kunst, mit schönen figuren (welche auch die vollckhomenheit diser sachen gruntlich aufweise) vertzeret. 16th century.
Text originally included 21 woodcuts, taken from a copy of the Latin edition of the Rosarium Philosophorum 1550, partly coloured pale yellow and pasted in. The last two plates have been lost though the original space they were pasted in is still visible.
Inscribed on title page: 'Bartholomaeus Thomas A° 1622.'
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Alchemical notebook of Colladon de la Pallud. c. 1729.
Inside front cover: 'Urannoscopus ou bien tapecon massiliente.'[sic]
1. p i-vi Extrait d'un livre intitule Le parfait exemplaire de l'art chimique et philosophique de la sience naturelle. Imprime a Paris en 1635.
2. p vii Recipes. Pour lutter les vazes de creusets et autres.
3. p1-50 Remarques sur l'oeuvre hermetique.
[An annotation reads]: 'tiree de divers autheurs latins par M. de Barlaimont ches moy a Geneve.'
4. p51-64 Brieve method pour extraire de notre mercure.
[Letter from M. De Barlaimont to M. Colladon de La Pallud, Geneva, dated Nantua, 12 October 1729.]
5. p55-64 Extrait du chevalier Digby: De la preparation du soleil ou sel ammoniac.
6. p65-151 [Recipes, etc.]
7. p152-154 L'enigme par ramonneur Voisty les vers quy nous onst [sic] esté envoyé la Jesus.
8. p155-164 Recipes.
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Uranoscopus ou bien tapecon massiliense. Description of the fish of this name
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Extrait d'un livre intitulé Le parfait exemplaire de l'art chimique et philosophique de la sience [sic] naturelle. Paris: 1635. This is an unidentified work on transmutation. The manuscript notes mention Nicolas Flamel and Arnaldus de Villanova on p. v
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Recipes. Pour luttez les vazes de creusets. Dissolvant de M. Schimite
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Remarques sur l'oeuvre hermetique. The beginning is identical with that of the item on p. 1: this version is much fuller. It is given on 6 leaves of 4 pages each, numbered 1-6 in addition to the page number sequence for the whole notebook. The hand is Barlaimont's
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Brieve methode pour extraire de notre mercure
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Letter from M. de Barlaimont to M. Colladon de La Pallud, Geneva, dated Nantua, 12 October 1729. Barlaimont gives instructions for alchemical experiments; he greets M. et Mme. Chardon [this name also appears in the notebook on p. 26.]
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Sir Kenelm Digby. Extrait du chevalier Digby: De la preparation du soleil ou sel ammoniac
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Voisty. L'enigme par ramonneur Voisty les vers quy nous onst [sic] esté envoyé la Jesus.
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Recipe, Excellent baume ou remede infaillible pour les imoruides
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Recipe, Pour faire la terre feuille dissoluble du nitre
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Recipe, Le magistere de l'estain de glace
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Recipe, Le distillation du bismuth
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Recipe, L'eau optalmique antimoniale
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Recipe, Pour faire le verre d'antimoine sans adission
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Notes on alchemical authors. An annotation reads: tiree de divers autheurs latins par M. de Barlaimont ches moy a Geneve
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Remarques sur l'oeuvre hermetique
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Remarques sur l'oeuvre d'Hermes en forme de dialogue
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Further notes
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[pp. 18-19: further notes ; p. 16: Secret pour faire de la belle chandelle ; p. 17: Pour faire le veritable vernis de la Chine.]
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Troisieme operation pour tirer des paillettes d'or de l'argent
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Troisieme operation sur le sel enixe
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Preparation du sel commun des filosophes
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Recipe, Le pierre quy despande de chac planettes
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Recipe, [Préparations sur le vinaigre]
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Recipe, [Préparations sur le tartre]
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Recipe, [Préparations sur le cristal]
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Recipe, Preparations sur le Venus
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Recipe, La maniere veritable et fondamentale pour fixer ou volatiliséz
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Recipe, L'esprit de sel essentiel et stomachique
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Recipe, Du nitre ou salpetre
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Pour faire le vray magistere de corail [and other notes on coral]
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Recipe, Des mineraux et de leurs preparations chimiques
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Christophorus Parisiensis : Repertoire alphabetique de l'oeuvre secret de la philosophie hermetique. [In French]. XVIIth century.
1. f2-50 Repertoire alphabetique de Christophe Parisien.
2. f52-54r Preface de l'oeuvre secret de la Philosophie Hermes... Penes nos Unda Tagi. 1651. Aux Professeures de la Philosophie d'Hermes.
3. f54v-55r Declaration sincere de tout l'oeuvre phisique touchant la matiere, et le Feu, par un amateur de la verité.
f55v-56r [Two emblemmatic pen drawings.]
f57r-58r [Pen drawings of alchemical furnaces and apparatus.]
4. f59-71 Pratique ouverte de l'oeuvre abrégé des Philosophes.
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An alchimical nosegay Gathered from the Hesperides garden by Ebenezer Sibly: M.D. 1793. Illustrated.
1. f1 [Title]: 'An Alchimical Nosegay Gathered from the Hesperides Garden by Ebenezer Sibly. M.D. 1793.' [ In English and Latin.]
2. f4-6 [Allegorical text on Green dragon.]
f8 [Emblematic pen drawing with four elements and planetary symbols.]
3. f11-12r Anima Magica Abscondita [Incomplete.]
f15 [Emblematic pen drawing.]
4. f18 Lucis Physicae Studiosis S. [8 lines of Latin. Incomplete fragment.]
f19-23 [Blank.]
f24 [Title only.]: 'The Philosophical Nosegay composed of many Choice and rare Flowers Gathered Out of the Wilderness and Labyrinth of Alchemical Books. J.C. 1767.'
5. f26-27 [Catalogue of Books.]
6. f29-41 Euphrates or the Waters of the East, being a short Discourse of that secret Fountain, whose water flows from Fire; and caries in it the Beams of the Sun and Moon. ... E.P. [i.e. Thomas Vaughan] 1655.
7. f42-48 Aula Lucis or The House of Light... S. Norton 1651.
8. f49-51 Necessary Instructions relating both to Theory and Practice gathered from different Authors. 1763.
9. f52-68 Lumen de Lumine or A new Magical Light written by Eugenius Philalethes.
10. f69 Aphorismi Magici Eugeniani. [Latin.]
11. f70-94 Three Treatises of Eireneus Philalethes. the Celestial Ruby, the Chymical Fountain and Ars Metallorum Metamorphosis. 1694.
[f73r has a coloured pen drawing showing seven crosses standing upon small hills connected with the planets and alchemical substances. This is set within a square of the four elements.]
12. f95-111 Sanguis Naturae or A Manifest Declaration of the Sanguine and Solar Congealed Liquor of Nature. By Anonimus 1696.
13. f113-130 Centrum Naturae Concentratum or The Salt of Nature Regenearated. Written in Arabick by Alipuli a Mauritian. Published first in low Dutch, afterwards in English... 1696.
[f113v has emblematic pen drawing.]
14. f131-166r A New Light of Alchymy by Michael Sandivogius.
[f131v has emblematic pen drawing.]
15. f166v-167r [12 drawings or descriptions of Orthelius's commentary on Sendivogius, see 'Theatrum Chemicum' Vol 6, p. 404.]
f167v [Emblematic coloured pen drawing, green dragon sun and moon tree, flask, etc.]
16. f168 [Notes on alchemical experiments.]
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Currently not available for consultation - unfit for production, pending conservation
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Livre de secrets. [In French]. XVIIth century.
Bound into this volume are some medical recipes in French.
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Chirurgia, containing the magic and magical elements of Pietro d'Abano, The art of S. Cyprian and an extract from Dr. Dee's Conferences with Spirits, transcribed by Elias Ashmole Esq. now No. 3677 in the Sloanian Lib. MSS. British Museum. London, 1838.
f1-11 [Blank.]
1. f12 [Titlepage]
2. f13-63 (p1-104) The Magic and Magical Elements of Pietro d'Abano.
3. f64-102 (p105-172) The Art of Cyprian.
4. f103-106 (p173-178) Dr Dee's Conferences with Spirits. Extracts from Dee's diaries for Oct 15th 1585, 17th,18th,22nd September. 1586. [Note at end]: 'This manuscript was formerly in R. Smiths possession, and he copied the six preceding pages into his Astrologer of the 19th Century, page 82,4-5. Best Editn. Fred Hockley.'
5. f109-112 (p181-187) Sigils. Twelve magical sigils with short descripions of their use and virtues.
f113-122 [Blank.]
6. f123 This experiment communicated by a farmer in Cheshire to W. Lea and by him to me, is to bring back a thief.
[Fred Hockley manuscript.]
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Treatise on alchemy. [In English]. XVIth century. Phillipps MS. 4336.
1. f1-3v Notes from 'The Olde Booke' on Alchemy.
2. f4-52 The XII gates of George Ripley abreviated.
3. f52v-55 [Notes on 'Opera Solis', 'Opera Venus', and 'Out of Norton' on alchemy.]
f56-66r Out of Raimondes Epistle of accurtationis.
4. f66v-99v Medulla Alchimie.
5. f100-133 Certain abstractes out of diverse places of Raimunde.
6. f134v-135v [Notes on Green Lion and 'The composition of the Basilyske of perles'.]
7. f136-159v 'Certen acurtacions' being notes on alchemical processes.
f151 [Drawing of furnace.]
8. f160-165v The Concordance between Raymund and Guydo, by George Ripley.
f166-168 [Blank.]
9. f169 -170 [Notes on alchemy.]
[At head of f1 in different hand from the rest of the MS.]: 'Sum Liber Joh: Cooper [...] 1602 for William Bolles possessor'.
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Ricettario. 17th century.
Alchemical recipes. In Italian, with some headings and sections in Latin.
p1-4 Index.
p5 Recipe Oleum de praeparatis calloris exeat.
p5 Ad indurandum [Mercury] ut sustineat ignem.
p6 Congelatio [Mercury].
p7 Congelavi di [Mercury].
p8 Modo di dar il peso all'argento.
p8 A far una tinctua d'ovo sopraraine.
Many other sections and recipes not here noted.
Manuscript title on spine.
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Dicta Bartholomei. Liber de Coytu. Liber secretorum alchimie ... a magistro Constantino. Summa perfectionis, by Geber. With other works. 1364.
1. f3-25v Dicta bartholomei. Neccessarium vndequoque perueniant. vnde omnes magistri antiquarum erudiciones scienciarum...
2. f25v-32 Incipit liber de Coytu. Creator volens animalium genus firmiter... aqua sit solutum apium. Explicit liber de coitu.
[See Constantinius Affricanus, 'Constantini opera', Basel, 1539, pp.299-307.]
3. f32-57 Hic incipit liber secretorum alchimie.
f43-46 [Nine small circular 'Lullist' diagrams.]
4. f57-66 Hic incipit primum capitulum huius tincture.
5. f67-82 Isti sunt tituli capitulorum cuiusdam tractatus. qui est de extractis. siue compilat' quibusdam magic necessariis. de libro Geber.
f82 [At end of this section of text]: 'Explicit Summa Geber Seconde Magisterii'.
[A summary of Geber, 'Summa perfecti magisterii'.]
6. f84-91 [Recipes.]
7. f91 Iste liber completus est per manu nicolai altsmet sacerdotis Anno dom MCCCLXIIII.
[Formerly accessioned as 1145]
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Lulli Secreta naturae. XVth or early XVIth century
Works of Ramon Lull. In Latin.
1. f1-56v Liber secretorum nature seu quinte essentie.
2. f56v-85v De Practica figure fundamentalis et arboris philosophorum diximus.
3. f86-92 Speculum Alkimie.
Many circular and tree diagrams and some drawings of apparatus, throughout the text.
Binder's title on spine.
Bookplate of William Gordon of Fyvie.
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Liber de consideratione quinte essentie enuicii rerum transmutabilii. [In Latin]. XVth century.
1. f1 Primus liber de consideratione quinte essentie omnium rerum transmutatabilium.
[Inscribed at end]: 'Expletus fuit liber iste per me Johanem die decimo octavo mensis februarii. Millesimo quadringentesimo sexagesimo nono. Laus deo.'
[See Singer No.292.]
2. f60-68v Ars operativa magni Raymundi. [i.e. Ramon Lull]
[In different hand from first item. See Singer No. 1004.]
3. f69-84 Humanum corpus cum sit compositum per ingressionem contrariorum...
[Alchemical and medical recipes, in same hand as second item. f69v-79v see Arnoldus de Villanova, 'De aqua vitae'. See Singer No. 1003.]
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Bernhard de Florentiae, Ray. Lullius, et alior. : Practica mineralis lapidum. XVI Century.
1. f i-vi [Notes from various alchemical works.]
2. f1-39 Liber Bernhardi de Florentia De magno lapide philosophorum.
[Incribed at end]: 'Finis liber Bernhardi de florentia ... Anno 1512.'
3. f41-46 Incipit lapis mineralis Hermetis philosophi.
4. f48-65 Incipit Lapidarius Raimundi philosophi. [i.e. Ramon Lull]
5. f66-96 [Various notes on alchemical processes.]
[Dated in various places '1512'.]
[Formerly accessioned as 1144]
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Babel or Assembly & Lockup's Wicches of Calder. 18th century. English and Latin.
1. p1-60 Babel, or the Assemblie. A Poem Written originalie in the Irish tongue, and translated into Scotch, for the benefit of the Leidges. By I.P a well-wisher to the cause.... MDCXCII
[Note by Ferguson on inside cover]: 'Babel was printed in 1830 by G.H. Kinloch for the Maitland Club. I suppose this is the original MS.'
2. p1-22 The following Epistle on the plan of the Epistolae obscurorum virorum has a good deal of humour And was occasioned by the noted Story of the Witches of Calder... [Text in Latin.]
[Dated at end]: '1723'.]
[This section is in different hand and paper, and pasted into the end of the volume].
[Two folios at end]: Poema Pitcarnii M.D. [Latin].
Manuscript title on spine.
A volume from the Auchinleck Library, with the signature of Sir Alexander Boswell, Lord Auchinleck, 1706-1782.
Formerly shelved at Bi16-d.32.
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[Archibald Pitcairne] Babel, or The Assemblie. A poem. Written originalie in the Irish tongue, & translated into Scotch, for the benefit of the Leidges. By J.P. a welwisher to the cause. Genesis. 11. 8. So the Lord scattered them from thence, upon the face of all the earth: & they left off to build the City. O Quis furor O Cives. - Lucan. MDCXCII. 17th century.
Babel was edited by George R. Kinloch and printed for the Maitland Club in 1830. In his Prefatory notice Kinloch stated: 'there are two manuscripts of the poem - one in the possession of Dr. Keith of Edinburgh, and the other contained in a volume of Pasquils, &c. formerly belonging to that indefatigable collector Robert Milne, and now in the library of Dundas of Arniston.' This third copy, which differs considerably from the Keith and Arniston copies, was evidently unknown to Kinloch.
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[Sir William Scott] Magistro Gulielmo Cavers ministro De Fala Iohannes Luckopius Condiscipulus Suus, & frater. D.S. Reverende frater... [At end:] Sic subr. Iohannes Luckopius: Datum De Mansa Calderae maij die undecimo 1723. 18th century. A note in an eighteenth-century hand is prefaced to the manuscript: 'The following Epistle on the plan of the Epistolæ obscurorum virorum has a good deal of humour and was occasioned by the noted story of the Witches of Calder... The Author of ye Letter is supposed to have been Sir Wm Scot of Thirlstain...'
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Archibald Pitcairne. Poema Pitcarnij M.D. [Qui mihi combibulus puer es...] 18th century.
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Rosario de excellentissimo doctor Maestre Arnaldo de villanueva sobre la Piedra mayor traduzido de latin en lengua castellana. In Spanish. 16th century.
Pen drawn initial capitals to first few chapters, with 22 fine pen drawings of alchemical apparatus and experiments throughout the text.
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Sapienti veterum sive doctrina earundem de summe e universali medicina, qua sanitas humana... conservatur. With watercolour plates. [In Latin]. XVIIIth century.
[On f1v]: 'Fr Wolfgangus Schwabpaur me procuravit 1704.'
[This is a 'Crowning of Nature' manuscript. Text in Latin with the 67 illustrations in well executed watercolours with use of gold and silver inks.]
Has extra drawing numbered 68 on final folio, showing lion and eagle supporting triangle, while dove descends from Sun, which has downward pointing triangle. Dove bears a cloud which it places on the vertex of the lower triangle which points upwards.
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Estratto di perfettissimi secreti havuti da eccellentissime persone, e per la maggior parte provati. 17th century. In Italian, Latin and French. The book contains alchemical recipes, numbered 1-747, on pages 1-232, including: p.151 Copia di diversi secreti auti da un libro scritto in ciffra la maggior parte ; p.195 Divers secrets pour convertir d'autre especes inparfectes en argent fin; with an index on pages 233-274, lacking entries for the letter E in the missing pages [241-242]. There is a sketch of a furnace and other apparatus on p.113. A note in Italian at the top of the title page, with a rough sketch of a coat of arms and the date 1721, states that the writer, having tried out many of the recipes in the book, found them to be false. A note in Italian on the verso of the title page refers the reader to a course of chemistry by Niccolo Lemery, whose name also appears on p.109. A date is given on the inside back cover: May 1718. Book-plate on inside front cover: Federighi, with the number 1037. Inscription on title page: Appartiene a me Carl Antonio Tondi di Civerno 1718.
Title on spine: Segreti MS.
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Le precieux don de Dieu. By Jacques de Nuysement. [In French]. 18th century.
1. p1-69 Le Precieux Don De Dieu.
[With 12 water-colour illustrations on vellum. This is a French version of the 17th century 'Praetiosissimum Donum Dei' found in many manuscript versions (one of the best known being Bibliotheque de l'Arsenal Ms 975.)]
2. p72-79 [Series of Sonnets on alchemical themes in French.]
3. p81-159 Poeme philosophie De la Verite de la physique mineralle. [Verse.]
4. p160-164 Les Visions Hermetiques. [Verse.]
5. p165-233 Lettre Philosophique.
6. p1-19 [New numbering of this section] Discours philosophique en vers.
[On fly leaf]: 'Par de Nuisement auteur du traite du vrai sel Secret des Philosophes etc. Cite Daur Brunet.'
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Testament de Jean Isaac.[In French]. XVth century.
1. p1-246 Testament de Jean Isaac ou operation minerale traduite du flamand en Latin par Isaac de Zomere.
[Finely executed drawings of alchemical apparatus between pages 227 and 235.]
2. p1-199 [New numbering.] Mercure d'or.
3. p200-271 Manuscrit de Chimie.
This section has (between pages 200 and 244) twelve water colour illustrations as in the 'Praetiosissimum Donum Dei', or 'Spiegel der philosophen'. These are small in size and are not especially well executed.
Title piece on spine: Testament de Jean Isaac.
Bookplate of Henry T. Humphreys, Hermitage.
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Alchemy MS. 18th century.
1. p1-6 The Praxis of Meriam [Miriam] the Prophetess.
2. p7-10 The Composition of the Philosophers viniger.
3. p11-18 A tract by 'An unknowne Author'.
4. p19-46 The Chaos Stone.
[Unnumbered section of 18 pages.] Sir George Ripleys Epistle to King Edward unfoulded.
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The Praxis of Meriam [Miriam] the Prophetess.
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The Composition of the Philosophers viniger.
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A tract by 'An unknowne Author'
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The Chaos Stone.
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Sir George Ripleys Epistle to King Edward unfoulded. [In English]. XVIIth century
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Opera Magiae Naturalis Mirabili Naturae Pneumo-cosmicae pennicillo Efformata. Per artem Naturae Simiam ad ipsum Naturae universalis Cahoticae [sic] Prototypon in totidem ectypis adumbrata atque ad perpetuum rei memoriam conservata. 17th or 18th century.
[A series of 52 beautifully executed watercolour circular drawings (110 to 130mm in diameter), seem to illustrate the emergence of form out of chaos, the precipitation of the divine into earthly embodiment. The forms depicted are very amorphous, the paint being applied in many overlapping layers.]
[Drawings on recto folios only.]
[Watermarks 'Vriheit', 'Pro patria' and 'Horn - D&C Blauw' consistent with dating to mid 18th Century.]
Bookplate of Edward Hailstone.
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Johannes Platearius, Practica.
Fol 1-47 'Amicum induit qui iustis amicorum ... in ultimo die iouis lune decrescentis.' Dated to first half of thirteenth century by Ker (see bibliography).
Noted on fol. 1 in fifteenth century hand: 'Incipit liber de medicina fratris georgii fraunceys'. Also noted (in nineteenth century hand?) 'Phillipps MS 15748'.
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A poem on alchemy by Ripley, canon of Bristol. 17th century.
The compound of alchymie.
This manuscript closely follows the text of the printed version of 1591 and was probably copied from it. It does not include The Prologue, and the last leaf, containing the last verse of An admonition, is wanting.
Binder's title on spine: Ripley's 12 Gates MS.
Bookplate of F.W. Cosens.
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Jodocus Grewer. Secret tres noble et veritable de venerable homme Jodocy Greuery. 17th century.
1. f1-31 Secret tres noble et veritable de venerable homme Jodocy Greuery.
[French translation of Lodocus Grewer, 'Secretum; et Alani philosophi dicta de lapide philosophico', Lugduni Batavorum, 1599.]
2. f32-60 [Extract or part of unidentified work, beginning with chapter IV and continuing to XXXII though with many chapters missing.]
Inscribed: Phillipps MS 22350. Also has label: Dering 659, and inscription: Dering Sale £8.10. Sir Thomas Phillipps made extensive purchases at the sales in 1858 and 1861 of the papers of Sir Edward Dering.
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Liber Experimentorum Mag. Petri Hispani qui vocatur Thesaurus Pauperum. Latin. 16th century.
[Treatise on medicine. In Latin. With index at beginning. See Pope John XXI, 'Thesaurus pauperum', Venetia, 1531.]
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Cipriano di Bologna. Libro della spagirica. Early 17th century. In Italian.
Tract on medicine in two books. Book I is numbered [2], 1-758 with 636 and 713 lacking; Book II is numbered [2], 1-212 with 63, 64, 165, 166, 179, 180 lacking, pp. 197-212 wrongly bound after p. 164 and 8 unnumbered pages (6 blank) inserted after p. 40. Book I describes human illnesses and their cures. It contains an ink drawing of the signs of the zodiac to be associated with the various parts of the body on p. 6 and astrological tables on pp. 9, 11, 12, 230, 231, 236, 238. There are notes in a different hand on pp. 684-699. Book II describes minerals, animals and vegetables. It has a drawing in ink of some apparatus on p. 83. There are notes in a different hand on p. 28 and p. 41. Several lines on both title pages have been inked over and are only partly legible. The title page to Book I begins: In nome di Dio e della Santissima Vergine Maria e di St Gioseffe et St Francesco [one line illegible] raccolta et prattica di Fra Cipriano di Bologna [two words illegible]. A second hand has added: Adesso di Fra Nicolo da [two words illegible] 1634... The title page to Book II has had the name of Fra Cipriano di Bologna inked over and that of Fra Nicolo da [?] superscribed and also inked over. The date 1635 also appears, in the same hand that made the additions to the title page of Book I.
On spine 'Libro della Spagyrica Manoserto 1634'.
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Duodecim tractatus de lapide philosophorum... [In Latin]. XVIIth century.
1. f1 Duodecim Tractatus de Lapide Philosophorum. Autore me qui divi Leschi genus amo. [i.e. Michael Sendivogius.]
[See Michael Sendivogius, 'Novem lumen chymicum...et in duodecim tractatus divisum...', Paris, 1608 and many other editions.]
[With 2 folios of alchemical symbols at end.]
2. f38-40 [Short section in Italian] Solutione delli Corpi Lunari, et solari.
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Alchemical MS. in German. XVIth century.
1. f1-5 Jungfrawenhar oder Widertodt oder Güldin widertodt.
f6-11 [Blank.]
2. f12-14 Panacea Anwaldina.
3. f15-23 Lux Lucens in Tenebris.
4. f24-32 Baldvini Clodii Anhaltische Ratss und leib Medici Officina Chymica, Franckfurt 1633.
[See Balduinus Clodius, 'Fünff underschiedliche Tractätlein... Officina chymica...', Franckfurt am Mayn, 1640.}
5. f33-55 Hermetischer Wunderbaum, durch Anonymum von Seld...Franckfurt an Main 1635.
6. f56-65 Medicamenta Militaria, Dogmatica, hermetica, et magica. Johannem Pharamundum Rhummelium & Nurnberg 1632.
7. f69-77 Lazari Ercker probier Buech.
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Raimandus Lullius : Le livre de l'art compendieuse qu'il a nomme Vade Mecum... [and other treatises]. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
Traictes (aux dessous de tout Prix) contenue dans ce Tome.
1. p1-26 Le Livre de L'Art Compendieuse de raymond Lulle qu'il a Nomme Vade Mecum.
2. p27-53 Le Vray Livre du Tres Docte Sinesius abbe grec Tire de la Bibliotheque de L'Empereur.
3. p54-85 Traité du Mercure et de la Pierre Philosophes De George Riplée [Ripley].
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Giovanni Battista Lambi. A Revelation of the secreat Spirit, first written in Lattin by an vnknown Auther, but explayned in Itallian by John Baptista Lamby a venetian lately Translated into English by R.N.E. gent. 18th century?
A revelation of the secret spirit was published at London in 1623. This manuscript appears to be a précis made from the printed version. R.N.E. is supposed to be Robert Napier, engineer. Signed on title page: Fred. Hockley. Acquired by John Ferguson on April 9, 1887 (Hockley's library was sold on 6 April 1887)
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The little world: Man &c. By Peter Paul Rubens. [In English]. XVIIIth century.
1. p1-545 Microcosmos or the little World, Man, in his Primaeval and fallen State, to his Adoption to be the Son of God. Mens in Coelis, quies in Terris.
[This is a commentary by Dionysius Andreas Freher on the Three Tables from the William Law edition of Boehme's works. These three elaborate engravings, which have sections which open up to reveal other underlying images, are pasted in at the beginning of the manuscript.]
[Note written by Richard Cosway M.A. a 19th century portrait painter who owned the manuscript added to title page 'Faithfully translated from the Original Latin written by Petrus Paulus Rubenius'. Richard Cosway in an attempt to credit this work to Peter Paul Rubens has inserted an engraved portrait of Rubens, together with a portrait of himself.]
2. p546 [Manuscript extract from the Times August 31 1825, concerning astrological symbolism connected with Louis XIII of France.]
3. [At end there is inserted 8 pages from a printed book entitled 'An Illustration of Astrology'.]
[Other copies of the work are found in British Library Mss Add 5786 and 5787, and Dr Williams's Library Mss. Walton I.1.31, I.1.32, I.1.33, I.1.49 and I.1.70.]
Binder's titlepiece on spine: The little world: Man &c.
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Petit traite contenant des mots des noms et des termes obscurs donc se serveni les philosophes dans leurs ecrits. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
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Christopherus Parisiensis. Summeta. Violetta Lucidariam. [In French]. XVIth century.
1. p1-36 Summetta. In Nomine Sanctae et individuae Trinitatis incipit Summa Minor clarissimi et excellissimi ph[ilosoph]i Christophori Parisiensis de corpore Magni et Divini lapidis philosophorum.
2. p37-60 Violetta quod opus ab ipso merito vocat cithera [sic] seu violetta artis transmutationis metallorum.
3. p63-87 Lucidarium tractatus de [...] magni lapidis philosophorum summa vegetabile et minerale clarissimi philosophi Christopheri Parisiensis, quod merito Lucidarium ab ipso vocatum est, sive summa major artis transmutatoriae corporum metallorum.
4. [2 folios at end] Alphabeti diversi. [An Alphabet of terms used in the works of Christopher of Paris, and Raymund Lully.]
[In Italian, with titles in Latin.]
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Joseph Russell. Theomagia. 18th century (c. 1775-1776). A notebook, entitled Theomagia on the outer front cover and Practical questions on fol. 1r (of which the bottom half has been cut out), containing horoscopes, talismans, medical recipes, prayers and invocations and other material: some entries are in different hands. The horoscopes are chiefly on fols 2-16; the talismans on fols 17, 18, 50-54; the recipes on fols 19, 39-50; the prayers and invocations for summoning spirits on fols 27-37. On fols 22v and 23v are verses, those on 23v being signed I.R. On fol. 23r is a copy letter from Joseph Russell [in London] to a gentleman, urging him to leave London for 'the middle part of this kingdom' to pursue his studies into nature there: the letter is signed Jos[eph] Russill. On fol. 56v is the inscription Joseph Ru[ssill]. The date 1775 occurs on fol. 25r, Sept 16 1776 on fol. 24v, and 1776 on the outer front cover. Bookplate of William Gordon of Fyvie, Aberdeenshire
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Abraham Eleazar. Abraham Juif, Prince, Prêtre lévite, Astrologue et Philosophe. [Livre des figures hyerogliphiques.] Late eighteenth century. This manuscript lacks a title but the text is the same as that of nos. 368 (MS Ferguson 154) and 477 (MS Ferguson 17). The frontispiece is drawn or traced on thin paper with brown ink and pasted down; there are six hand-coloured engravings opposite pages 35, 46, 61, 107, 129, 175, and one watercolour drawing of the 'Massacre of the Innocents' opposite p. 154., apparently copied from the illustrations in 477 (MS Ferguson 17) or from a common original, and one watercolour drawing of the Massacre of the Innocents which differs considerably from that in no. 477(MS Ferguson 17).
Printed list of alchemical symbols inserted opposite page 27.
Inscribed: J. Ferguson 8 Nov. 1893.
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Oeuvre du philosophe Solidonius, augmentée d'une clé hieroglythique & de nombreuses annotationset de dix huit étonnantes figures hermétiques coloriées. Illustrated. [In French]. XVIIth century.
On cover: 'Oeuvre annote par divers du philosophe Solidonius.'
Printed stamp of Stanislas de Guaita on first and last folios.
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Heinrich Khunrath. De hyleali id est primateriali catholico naturali chaos naturaliae alchymiae, et alchymistaru. id est Veuisa et plurimum augmentata confessio naturaliae alchymiae, et alchymistarum. Henrici Kunrath Lip: theosophi medicinae utriusque doctoris. Preface dated at Magdeburg, 1593. The text is headed: Confessio philosophica henrici Kunrath. Lips. docto. de catholico et physico chemico chaos.
1. p1 De hyleali id est primateriali catholico naturali chaos naturalis alchymiae, et Alchymistarum id est Revisa et plurimum augmentata confessio naturalis alchymiae, et Alchymistarum henrici Kunrath Lip: theosophi medicina utriusque doctoriae.
2. p9 Confessio philosophica henrici Kunrath Lips: docto de catholico et physico Chemico chaos. [Text in 10 chapters.]
[See 'Symbolum Physico-Chymicum Henrici Khunrath Lips. Utriusque Med. Doct. De Chao Physico-Chymicorum Catholico, Naturali, Triuno, Mirabili atque Mirifica, Secretissimo: Lapidis Philosophorum Universalis et Magni Subiecto genuino ac Calumniae parentes. Pfui Diabolo.', Hamburg, 1598.]
[On flyleaf]: 'Les ouvrages de Khunrath, tout Aenigmatiques et inintelligibles (sic) quils sont, sont recherchés par les Alchimistes, il ne [...] pas quil yen eu d'imprimés sores le libre de celuycy. C'est une chose a verifier. Il y a du même auteur un traité intitulé Magnetia Catholica Philosophorum, imprime in 8° 1599, dont il est question dans ce manuscrit. C'est un chose a verifier.'
[Bookplate]: M. Hyancinthi Theodori Baron Antiqui Facultatis Medicinae Parisiensis Decani.
John Ferguson bought the volume on 6 July 1908, from Rosenthal.
A German version, Von Hylealischen, was published at Magdeburg in 1598. Ferguson says (Bibliotheca chemica I, 463): 'There seems to have been an earlier work: Confessio de chao physico-chemicorum catholico, the preface of which was dated Magdeburg 1596.'
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Alkemia Platonis cum commento Hermetis vel Hamuelis. [In Latin]. XVIth century.
[At end]: 'Completum erat te opus 22° die Januarii 1584 (ex typo dato et [...] 8o die octobris 1396 H Metcalf.'
[Diagram of furnace and water bath on final folio.]
[This is the text of 'Libri quartorum, seu Stellici, cum commento Hebuhabeo Hamed, explicata ab Hestole', in 'Theatrum Chemicum' vol. V, p. 101.]
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Treatise on the philosophers' stone. [In English]. 1606.
fiiv [List of Contents (incomplete).]
1. f1 [A series of short pieces including 'The worke of B', 'The Great elixer', 'Ablutio aqua', and two untitled pieces.]
2. f13 The Philosophers heaven.
3. f15 Here begyneth a very good worke of the philosophers stone.
4. f24 Here followeth secrets and true sayings of philosophers.
5. f29 A work of the philosophers stone. [Allegorical text.]
6. f33 [Short notes from various alchemical authorities.]
7. f38 [Section in the form of question and answer, possibly entitled 'Elixer Vini'.]
8. f43 Here followeth the practis of the ryall flower.
9. f45v Philorcin of George Riplye of the possibilyte of this science.
10. f46v Of the errores of certayne practisers in this arte.
11. f57v [Alchemical verse.]
12. f58 [Rough pen drawing of woman with peacock feather headdress between sun and moon rising out of a corpse lying on the ground. A line below reads 'This is a perfect figure of the art', while a line above, possibly added later reads, 'A Fool 1730'. A text commenting upon this image follows on f58-59.]
13. f59 [46 eight line stanzas of allegorical alchemical verse.]
14. f66 Raymond Lulle in his theoricke. [87 seven line stanzas.]
15. f77 Abtracts. [Unidentified alchemical text.]
16. f79 Nowe here followeth the merrore of philosophi or alkemy, thereof speaketh of 4 wordes as hereafter followeth.
17. f87v [ ] G Ripeley in pupillam alchemiae.
[On f1]: 'This is the book that came from Mr Sandeys of Linfarde 1606 June the 23rd.'
[At end]: 'Thus endeth this book beinge written by Thomas Robson and ended the 23 daye of June in the year of our Lord 1606.'
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Experimentall Seacrets found out in the way of my owne painting. By Charles Beale.
The author's observations and experiments cover the period 1647-1663. f17v. 'Mr Lely [i.e. Sir Peter Lely] allowed more for this sort of Lake... The rest of it my Deare Heart used her self [i.e. Mary Beale] ; f9v. 'My father Cradocks pink' [i.e. Mary Beale's father.]
Note on f2v: 'Autograph of Mr Beale Experimental Secrets in Painting - he was contemporary of Sr Peter Lely and greatly in his esteem.'
Observations on pigments, etc., from the period 1647-1663.
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Geber. Summa alkimiae profectionis Seberis Regis Arabum. [In Latin]. XVth century.
1. f1-75 Incipit feliciter Summa alkimiae perfectionis Geberis Regis Arabum pretiotissimi philosophorum. [See Singer No.105.]
2. f78-87 Inicium 2i libri Geberis videlicet commentum suum super sumam suam de inuestigatione perfectionis magisterii. [See Singer No.73, iii, iv.]
3. f88-92 Liber fornacuum Geberis.
[At end]: 'Explicit 3us liber furnacuum Geberis.' [See Singer No.72.]
4. f94-100 4us liber Testamenti Geberis.
5. f104-119 Liber quintus Geberis compendiosum de inuestigatione perfectionis magisterii pratice...
MSS. Ferguson 63, 76, 135 and 192 are four uniform alchemical notebooks probably once bound together, written by a north Italian scribe identified in MS. Ferguson 76 as 'John Visio'.
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Secretz et curiositez. [In French]. XVIIth century.
Notes in French on various pigments and tinctures.
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Treatise on alchemy, with symbolic figures. [In German]. XVIIth century.
1. f1 De Generatione Metallorum Commentarii Walchii Schorndorffii. [Johannes Walch of Schondorff.]
[See Johann Grasshof, 'Der kleine Bauer', Strasbourg, 1619 (Ferguson I, 338) with the Commentary of Walchius.]
2. f4 [Notes from Leonardus Thurneisser. Includes 3 watercolour drawings of plates from his Quinta Essentia, Munster, 1570. The first is labelled 'Anima Mercurii' and shows a woman standing upon the moon within a nimbus of clouds. The second is labelled 'Spiritus Sulphuris' and shows a man standing among clouds holding a vessel of burning substance. The third labelled 'Corpus Minerale' shows a knight with a spear and shield.]
3. f7v [Notes from Isaac Holland 'Theoriam et praxin'.]
4. f21 Progressus ex Commentario Walchii Schorndorff.
5. f27-77 Extractus ex Cornelio Drebbel, Georgio Riplaeo [Ripley], Tractatus Comite Bernardi, Basilius [and various alchemical authorities.]
f78-91 [Blank.]
6. f92-99 [Notes on 'Processus phylosophicus' and 'de Marcasitis Plumbeis' in German.]
With two water colour drawings on inside front and back covers. The first shows a circular space in which water and fire are brought together, the second (inside back cover) entitled 'Elixir completum' shows a female figure rising from the water and fire.
In German, but with titles in Latin.
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Recueil des divers preceptes physiques et chimiques. [In French]. XVIIIth century
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Centrum naturae concentrum. Oder ein tractat nor den ender gebossren saltz der natur... 1705. [In German].
1. p1 Centrum Naturae Concentratum oder ein tractat von dem wider gebohrnen Saltz der Natur... In Arabisch beschrieben durch Ali Puli... von N.T.G.U. ...anno 1705.
[See Ali Puli, 'Centrum naturae concentratum. Oder ein tractat von dem wiedergebohrnen Saltz und Natur...', 1705.]
2. p77 Compendiöeses doch Vollkommenes Philosophisches Hand Büchlein das ist Philosophische Grund Sätze zur Universal Tincture: ... Christophoro Heinrico Keil ... Leipsig... 1736. [Series of hermetic axioms.]
3. p134 Vom dritten ein Anhange der Minnerallischen Dinge.
4. p165 Bericht wie man den Mercurium Praepariren.
5. p189 [Artephius] Clavis Sapientiae das ist ein Edles und kostliches Büchlein vom Stein der Weissen... Leipsig 1736.
6. p240-244 Prima Responsio [ ...] F.R.C.
[At end p244]: 'E.D.F.O.C.R. Senior.'
7. p244-245 Secunda Responsio... R.C.
8. p251 Disputation des Goldes und Mercurii mit dem stein der Weissen.
9. p267 [Extract from Isagoge, summary of the philosophy of Nicholas Flamel etc.]
[Some fragmentary notes at beginning and end.]
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Church Slavonic manuscript.
Contents: Saints' and feast days of the Orthodox Russian calendar arranged in twelves within duodecafoil designs, enclosed in double circles (diam. 7.5 cm.). The text is in black and the circles done in red ink. Various other prayers. Watermarked paper, probably 18th century, but format too small to determine precisely. Small script, fairly regular Church Slavonic. 1v. Three concentric circles in red with 12 letters in a column ; 5r-20v. Thirty-one circles as described above ; 21r-29v. Various tables ; 30r-38v. Molitvy outrenniya ; 39r-40r. Molitva ot oskverneniya ; 41r. Note in 18th century Russian hand ; 41v. Note in different? Russian hand dated 1812 (Mention made of Napoleon in Moscow) ; 42r. Another note in same hand as 41r ; 43v. Note in Russian. End paste-down bears note in French: Ce manuscrit appartient à Mr J. Despax... and is dated Toulouse 13 août, 1882. An inscription at head of the paste-down reads: L.J. Symes. Ferguson acquired this MS on 13 October, 1896, which can be ascertained from the pencil note on front paste-down.
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Delli cose naturali e sopranaturali di Basilio Valentini. [In Italian]. XVIIth century
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The 'Key of Solomon'. With coloured diagrams. In German. XVIIth century.
Incomplete but including the pentacles of the planets.
f1 Grund und Aussfuhr Magische Processe von denen Metallischen Pentaculis.
f2 Das I Capitel. Zu welcher Stunde nach der Praeparation aller dinge man soll das Exercitium der Kunst zu Perfection bringen.
[17 numbered paragraphs.]
f4v Das II Cap: Auff was art und Weisse sich der Meister dieser Kunst soll verhalten und anstellen.
f6 Das III Cap: Von denen Badern, und wie man, die machen soll.
f9v Das IV Cap: Von der feder, Dinte und anderen zu der Kunst gehorigen Farben.
f10 Das V Cap: Von der Schwalben und der Raben=Federn.
f11 Das VI Cap: Von den Phite der Fleder Mauss der Taube und ander Tiere.
f12 Das VII Cap: Von denen Medailles oder Pentaculen.
f16 das VIII Cap: Von denen geweiheten Pentaculis oder Medaillen und von Isver Materia.
f20-61 [43 line drawn pentacle diagrams coloured according to planetary attributions. 7 Saturn-brown, 7 Jupiter-light blue, 6 Mars- Red, 7 Sun-yellow, 4 Venus-green, 6 Mercury-violet purple, 6 Moon-greyish white.]
f62-63 [Two line drawings of pentacle geometric forms unfinished.]
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Les douze clefs de philosophie. 17th century.
1. p1 Les douze clefs de philosophie de frere Basile Valentin a Paris 1659.
2. p133-177 Azoth, ou le moyen de faire l'or cache des philosophes.
3. p178-187 Poeme philosophic sur l'azoth des philosophes par le Sieur de Nuisement. [Jacques Nuysement.]
4. p188-238 Traicte de la nature de l'oeuf Epitre certain de Bernard Allemand touchant l'oeuf des Philosophes.
With 16 rough pen drawings - copies of engravings from Basil Valentine's works.
Binder's title on spine: Les 12 clefs de philosoph.
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Les douze clefs de philosophie de frere Basile Valentin a Paris 1659.
A transcription of the printed work, Paris: Pierre Moët, 1659, of which there is a copy in Ah-d.17.
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Azoth, ou le moyen de faire l'or cache des philosophes. By Basilius Valentinus.
A transcription of the printed work, part II only, including drawn reproductions of the engravings. There is a copy of the Paris: Pierre Moët, 1659 edition in Ah-d.17.
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Poeme philosophic sur l'azoth des philosophes par le Sieur de Nuisement. By Jacques Nuysement. [There is a printed edition in Ah-d.17.]
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Traicté de la nature de l'oeuf Epitre certain de Bernard Allemand touchant l'oeuf des Philosophes. By Bernardus Trevisanus.
A transcription of the printed work, of which there is a copy of the Paris: 1659 edition in Ah-d.17.
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Geber. Liber de transmutatione metallorum. [In Latin]. XVth century
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J. F. Rain : Praeservatioum universale naturae a nature & arte de proptum in omni morborum genere et lapis philosophorum... [In Latin]. XVIIth century.
1. f1 Praeservativum universale naturae. A natura et arte depromptum in omni morborum genere, est lapis philosophorum. Editore Johanne Friderico a Rain, etc., labaci, typis Joannis Baptiste a Myr.
2. f36 [Johann Isaac Hollandus] Libellus Cabala...
3. f41 [Johann Pharamund Rhumelius] Medicina spagyrica...
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Les vrais segrets de medicine et chimie, des plus celebres medicins de l'univers et chimistres.. [In French]. XVIIth century.
1. p1-292 Secrets Chymiques.
[Extracts from 'Traicte de la Chymie' by Nicolas de Fevre, 12 Clefs du Valentin, etc.]
2. p293-466 Remedes tires de differents Autheurs.
3. p1-48 [New page numbering.] 3 Livre.
[Notes on alchemy in French.]
4. p1-207 [Another new page numbering.] 4 Livre De chimie. Copie d'un manuscrit escrit en l'an 1570. sur du parchemin qui contient de grandes Choses.
[Pen drawings of alchemical apparatus on pp.70-73.
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Treatises of phisick. By Nicolaus Praepositus. 15th century ms (written in script anglicana) with 16th century annotations.
Contents:
1. f1-55 I Nicollas ypreiede of summe men yn practisye of medycyne studye to hem that woleth... Dispensacyon. Aurea alexandria...[A translation of the alphabetically arranged Antidotary of Nicholas 'Aurea alexandrina-Zinzeber'.]
f56 left blank and recipes in English and Latin have been added in a 16th century hand.
2. f57-62 [Sarum Calendar in Latin] With notes on fast days and recipes in English and Latin added in a 16th century hand.
3. f63-91 [Medical recipes] beginning 'Medicyn for scabbis...'
f91 has recipes added in a 16th century hand.
4. f92-158 [Medical recipes] beginning 'Here a man may se the virtuys of the erbis...'
Leaf missing after f121. With a charm (f158v) and recipes for conserves and a charm on the flyleaf (f159) added in a 16th century hand.
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Praetiosum donum Dei. [In Latin]. XVIth century.
1. p1-74 Incipit liber intitulatus Praetiosum Donum Dei.
[With 12 finely executed watercolour drawings on pages 18, 21, 25, 29, 33, 38, 40, 44, 46, 48, 52, and 56.]
[At end]: 'Explicit Liber qui intitulatus Praetiosum Donum Dei scriptum per me Georgium Aurach de Argentina, et etiam depictum manibus propriis sub Anno Domini 1475. Copia haec sumpta est ab ipso originali, scripto in membranis aureo minio, et caeruleo colore ornatis.'
2. p75-119 Liber qui intitulatus Hortus Divitiarum. Compositus per me Georgium Aurach de Argentina sub Anno Domine 1475.
p88-90 [3 drawings in pen and grey watercolour of alchemical furnaces.]
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Oeuvre philosophique a decouvert... [In French]. With 20 small water colour drawings. XVIth century.
[On spine]: 'Divinum Opus Solis.'
p1-96 [Text in German with 21 water-colour drawings, 20 of which are from the 'Rosarium Philosophorum' series, except that here the action, apart from in the initial four drawings, takes place in flasks. Figure 11 is an addition to this series.]
fig 1 [Female figure holding caduceus, and uniting Mercury, Moon and Sun.]
fig 2 [Sun headed figure with caduceus.]
fig 3 [Double headed eagle in flask.]
fig 4 [Triple fountain of Sun, Moon and Mercury.]
fig 5 [Coitus of king and queen. All figures , except 10, from here on are in flasks.]
fig 6 [King and queen lying at bottom of flask.]
fig 7 Animae extractio vel Impraegnatio. [Winged figure ascends leaving the King and Queen at the bottom of flask.]
fig 8 [Rain descending on the king and queen at bottom of flask.]
fig 9 Animae Jubilatio. [Return of the winged figure.]
fig 10 Tinctura Alba. [White queen holds snake, and cup with three snakes.]
fig 11 De leone Rubeo et Aquila Alba. [A crowned figure half red lion and half white eagle in flask.]
fig 12 Fermentatio. [Second Coitus.]
fig 13 Illuminatio. [Sun in flask.]
fig 14 Nutrimentum.
fig 15 Fixation Tinctura. [Winged figure ascends to top of flask leaving the male and female figures at the bottom of the flask.]
fig 16 Multiplicatio.[Rain falls from clouds on the two figures.]
fig 17 Revivificatio. [Return of the winged soul figure.]
fig 18 Perfectionis ostensio. [King or Prince holds cup with three snakes in his right hand and a single snake in his left. Red lion and double headed eagle stand below.]
fig 19 Noster Mercurius est Leo viridis solem devorans.
fig 20 Coronatio Artis Tria Unum. [Figure at bottom of flask is crowned by figure emerging from a cloud.]
fig 21 Triumphus Artis. [Resurrection of King. Caduceus in flask.]
[Many of the figures have the short German verse found in the 1550 printed version of the 'Rosarium Philosophorum'.]
[Note in French attached to folio 2v]: 'Ce Manuscrit contiens l'oeuvre Philosophique a Decouvert, et a esté donné pour recompense a tout homme qui a veu faire l'oeuvre chez luy, chez le quel logoit le Philosophe alemande, ce manuscrit en [est] Impayable a quelquen de sage et de Discres.'
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[Book of recipes] 17th century. In Italian and French (mainly French). A miscellany of recipes, falling approximately into the following groups: pp. 175-185. On fireworks, firearms and weapons in general - recipes for gunpowder, for keeping arms rust-free, etc. ; pp. 186-190. Miscellaneous household recipes ; pp. 191-199. On dyes - how to make them, how to remove them when they stain ; pp. 199-205. On making marbled paper ; pp. 205-212. Miscellaneous recipes ; pp. 213-230. On wax and wax-modelling ; pp. 231-271. On modelling artificial flowers, fruits and trees ; pp. 272-273. Horticultural advice ; pp. 274-290. Miscellaneous recipes, mainly of a medical nature ; pp. 291-297. On writing materials, especially invisible ink ; pp. 298-309. On secret writing. A table with an example is on pp. 304-5 ; pp. 311-318. Hunting and fishing advice ; pp. 319-353. Household recipes and advice. Marginal note on p.205: F. Joseph de St Antoine Carme, A Lyon le 14e Janvier 1642. On inside front cover the monogram of John Ferguson, the date 4 May 1881 and the name Ellis White
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Libro de secreti di chimica. 18th century. Contains instructions for making various varnishes and lacquers, pp 1-31; alchemical recipes for curing illnesses, pp 33-49; recipes for lacquers and dyeing processes, pp 50-68; and instructions for painting, i.e. varnishes, colours, canvasses to be used, pp 69-160. Details for etching on copper are given on p. 72 and for making gunpowder and fireworks on p. 88 and p. 114. Recipes are given from Giovanni Domenico Rossi (p. 128) and Fra Vittore Ghislandi of Bergamo, 1655-1743 (p. 138, p. 144). On p. 153 reference is made to a book entitled Nuovo plico d'ogni sorta di tinture with notes by Galipidio Tallier, the pseudonym of one Albertolli [an ancestor of the painter Giocondo Albertolli (b.1742)?], and of which mention is made of two editions - Liège: Jean François Broncart, 1698 and Lyons: 1714. This Albertolli is said also to have written a work entitled Libro da coro, published at Bologna by Lunghi. Various dates are given on several pages: p. 91 - 1754, 1757 ; p. 94 - 1754 li 10 Novbre ; p. 138 - 1758 ; p. 149 - 755 Giugno ; p. 151 - 1763. The name of the bookseller Rosenthal is noted in Ferguson's hand inside the back cover.
Found by the Italian conservator, Claudio Seccaroni, to contain two recipes for lacquers and varnishes associated with the Bergamo artist Vittore Ghislandi, revealing the secret of the artist’s famed red lacquer.
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Mirabilibus mundi de secretis muliera, et de virtutibus herbar lapidum, et animalium... [In Latin]. XVIIth century.
This would appear to be a summary of Albertus Magnus, 'De secretis mulierum libellus, scholiis auctus, et a mendis repurgatus. Eiusdem de virtutibus herbarum, lapidum, et animalium quorundam libellus. Item de mirabilibus mundi', Lugduni, 1566.
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Gulielmus Sadesense. Alchimia. Early 16th century. In Italian, one hand.
[On spine]: 'IHS Maria. Alchimia de Fratre Guielmo.'
1. f1-224v Incomenzia sadacina di tuta l'arte de alchimia composita da Fratre Guielmo Sadasense de Lordine de Fratri di Sancta Maria del Carmino Indigno...
[See Sedacinae 'totius artis alchimiae', mentioned in Thorndike, 'History of Magic and Experimental Science' III, p. 628. Also see Singer No. 381.]
2. f224v-240 [Recipes in Latin and Italian.]
[Note on flyleaf]: 'Coat of Arms of Borghese family.'
Bookplate of Frederick North, 5th Earl of Guildford, whose library was sold in 1830. Inscribed 'Phillipps ms 5712'. Bought by Ferguson from Rosenthal for £12.12.-.
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Abraham Juif. 18th century.
Inscribed: JF (John Ferguson) 21. V. [18]89.
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Abraham Eleazar. Abraham Juif, Prince, Prêtre, Astrologue et Philosophe à la Nation des Juifs répanduë dans toutes les Gaules par la colere de Dieu, Salut en Notre Seigneur J.C. Livre des Figures Hyerogliphiques avec l'explication des Fables des Poëtes, des Mysteres du Christianisme, de l'Alchymie, et de la Pharmacie suivant les nombres. 18th century. The text is the same as that of no. 477 (MS Ferguson 17).
Blank leaves have been left for the illustrations but these have not been supplied.
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Michael Maier. Emblemata et Epigrammata Michaelis Majeri. 18th century. This is a copy of the Latin mottos and verses from Atlanta fugiens. It includes very crude copies of the fifty engravings in the edition of 1618. These are in brown ink and were apparently traced on thin paper and pasted in
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[Coronatio Naturae. English. 18th century. An English translation of chaps 1-41 of the Coronatio naturae, with titles only for chaps 42-67; a space is left at the head of each chapter for the illustration. For illustrated copies see MSS Ferguson 8, 208, 245, 253. A note by Prof. Ferguson on the inside back cover identifies the volume as 'a translation of the Rosarium', but this appears to be in error. Pp. i-iv contain lists of symbols for the planets, the signs of the zodiac, weightd and elements; pp. v and vi are entitled 'A catalogue of philosophycall and chemicall books'
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Paracelsus Of the Supreme Mysteries of Nature, of the Spirits of the Planets Occult Philosophy. The Magical Sympathetical and Antipathetical Cure of Wounds and Diseases. the Mysteries of the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac. Englished by R. Turner. 1769.
[The Turner translation was published in London in 1656.]
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De Chemia senioris antiquissimi Philosophi, Libellus, ut Brevis ita artem discentibus, & exercentibus, utilissimus, & vere aureus, nunc primum in lucem aeditus. Ab Artis fideli filio. y Zadith Senior filius Hamuel. In Latin. 17th century.
This work exists in a printed Latin edition, Strassburg, 1560.
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Treatise on chemistry. [In German]. XVIIIth century.
f1 a/w Daß die Chÿmie eine der nöthigsten und nützli[chsten] Wißenschafften seÿ, ist zwar vielen, aber einem jeden nicht recht bekant, wie solches bereits von meinem Herrn Collegen, dem Herrn D. Potten erwehnet worden. Denn wenn wir die Chymie nicht hätten, so könten wir nicht einmalh wie vernüfftige Menschen wohnen, sondern wir müsten den Thieren gleich in Hölen und Löchern, oder wenigsten, wie die wilden Menschen leben.
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L'interruption du Someil Cabalistique ou Devoilement des Tableaux mystiques de l'Antiquité, contenant la Chrisologie chymique divisée en deux parties, dont la premiere devoile ce que les Anciens ont caché, & la Seconde traite du germe de sa genealogie, et de la regeneration du Fils du Soleil tiré du MS. De Lobiere. 18th century.
p479-480 [Index of chapters.]
p456 [Pen drawing of distillation apparatus.]
[See MS. Ferguson 30.
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Operations de divers auteurs tant Glaenique que chymique. By Claudius Galenus. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
[Medical recipes and notes on pharmaceutic preparations.]
f164 [Table of chemical symbols.]
f165-176 [Index.
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De la voie humide. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
1. p i-x De la Voie Humide.
2. p1 Traité du Vitriol Philosophique, et de ses liqueurs Blanches et Rouge.
3. p4 Recepte de Ripleé [Ripley].
4. p10 La Recepte de Dunstanus Archeuêque de Cantorberi.
5. p78 [Lullist diagram - heptagon in circle.]
6. p90 Maniere de Rogerius Bacon pour faire le mercure double. Abregé par Raimond Godefroid.
7. p111 Le Lion-Verd de Paracelse dans La Toison d'or Germanique. pag. 4.
8. p141 Quelques observations entraútres qu'on peut faire sur lesdites Receptes de Philosophes Adeptes.
9. p153 Autres Remarques utiles pour l'intelligence des Auteurs.
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A book of receipts. [In German]. XVIIIth century.
f1 Recept, ein weises Licht zu machen...
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Alchemical tracts, secrets, etc. [In English]. XVIIth century.
1. p1 The copie of a Letter sent me by the late Madame Martin Viel which was found after her death.
2. p35 The Work of Neptis communicated to Quercitanus.
3. p57 Quercitan's daughters letter.
4. p92 To turn [Sun - Gold] into [Mercury].
[At end p94 ]: 'This I tooke out of Mr Wilmots Manuscript the refiner.'
5. p97 Alexander van Suchtens work of the secrets of [...] translated out of high Dutch by Dr Child.
6. p110 A Dark and Misticall worke betwixt the master and his Servant.
7. p114 Ovidius to make good Ceruse.
8. p116 The Questions and demands of the Archbishop of Reanes. With the Answers of Guilliam De Cenes.
[At end p135]: 'This art or most secret science was accomplished done and ended at Reanes a myle beside Paris the Fryday being in the yeare of our Lord God 1216. And had thus in communication with ye said Reverend Father the Bishop of Reynes by the said Mr William Cenes.'
9. p136 The Gentlewomans Work in York.
10. p138 The Secrets of Alkemy is this.
[The sections at the beginning and end bound in reverse have notes on alchemical substances and processes.]
[With index on the penultimate folio.]
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Receipts. Balsalmo omoginii di Frn Pietro Rossi byostiniane Ricetta. [In Italian]. XVIIIth century.
lla Provincia di Milano dottore e cerusico...
3. p22 Libretto di diverse vernici, segreti, tinture inchiostre (sic) ed altre cose raccolte da me Dom[eni]co Ant[oni]o Viceré.
[Notebook of D.A. Vicerè in Italian with medical and other recipes, and notes from works by Pietro Rossi, Antonio da Gamarata, Pope Innocent XI, Isabella of Hungary, Pietro d'Ascoli, and other authors.]
[16 folios previously inserted in the manuscript, consisting of notes and a number of letters.]
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Course of chemistry. By John Francis Vigani of Verona. Professor of Chemistry in the University of Cambridge. Transcribed from the MS. in the University Library, Cambridge. Glasgow, 1893. This transcript was made by Professor John Ferguson and there is an introductory note by him (fol. ix), dated May 9th, 1893, in which he states: 'The following is a copy in the original spelling, line for line and page for page, of a manuscript set of Vigani's Lectures on Chemistry, in the University Library Cambridge, press mark: Dd. 12. 53.' He thought the date of the manuscript was about 1700.
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La moelle des philosophes chimistere pour servir en partie de reponse aux objections qu'un Auteur moderne a fait contre le grand art de la chimie. Ouvrage divise en deux partie, par Mons Colonne [Francois-Marie-Pompee Colonae]. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
Bookplate of the Duke of Sussex.
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A Book of making Artificial Stones and several other curiosities, experiments and receipts. In French and Latin. 18th century
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Estratto del Libro segniato A [B, C, D, E, F] di Prete Antonio Neri De Ricette che farmo aproposito per l'ingrediente et manipulatione a ritrovamenti della ricetta del Donum Dei, et del Amirabile.... Early 17th century. In Italian.
Descriptions in Italian of chemical preparations and experiments in sections A-F.
Contains: p.1 Estratto del libro segniato A ; p.161 Estratti di più ricette cavate dal ibro segnato B ; p.241 Estratto del libro segnato D ; p.247 Estratto del libro segniato E ; p.265 Operationi copiate da un libro antico qui in Pisa ; p.313 Estratto del libro segniato F. Insertion after p.264 Estrato di più ricette ch'anno similitudine alle preparationi dell' ingredienti del Donum Dei. These describe chemical preparations and experiments. Illustration of apparatus on p.109, in ink. Date given on p.265: Anno 1613 di Genaio alli 26. Bookplate of George Farrer Rodwell (Franks 25373)
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Astrologia. Conure, exempli horoscopie, logarithmi numerorum, &c. [In Latin]. XVIIth century.
p i-iii [Index.]
p1 Declinationem planetarum accipere, et ex Declinatione longitudine in Eccliptica. Canon Ps. pag. 77. Tabula Declinatiorum continet sex signa in fronte, et sex ad calcem,...
[Treatise on Astrology in Latin, with example horoscopes, tables of the planets and astrological signs plus logarithmic tables to aid in computation of horoscopes.]
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Calid fils de Joesid. Et en toison d'or. [In French]. Pen and ink drawings. XVIIIth century.
1. p1 Calid fils de Jesid. Preface J'apelle ce mien livre le Secres d'Alchimie...
2. p4 Des Quatre Magisteres de L'ars, à savoìr Solution, Congelation, Albification et Rubification.
[At end p39]: 'Fin des Secretes de Calid fils de Joesid'.
[For Kalid ben Jesid, see Ferguson I, p 449.]
3. p40-198 La Toison d'Or.
[With the twenty two figures of the 'Splendor Solis' copied from the printed engravings, in poorly executed pen and wash drawings pasted into the text, most on a separate folio.
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Witchcraft, witches and wizards. By Edmund Goldsmid. c.1880.
Notes for a lecture c. 1880.
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Chymistry. Lectures by George Fordyce. c.1770.
A treatise on recognisably modern chemistry rather than alchemy. Transitional work between alchemy and chemistry, deals particularly with acids and alkalis, but uses in places a few alchemical terms such as 'menstruum'.
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Lectures on the elements of chemistry by Joseph Black. 1776. These volumes contain the text of the complete course of lectures delivered by Black as Professor of Chemistry at Edinburgh University. The first lecture is dated May '76.
Bookplate in second volume with cypher WJP and crest of an antelope's head, erased, collared, holding a thistle slipped in its mouth (Franks 24412).
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La pierre philosophale. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
1. f2-17 [First part] La Pierre Philosophale. Cecy est tire de la Preface de la Biblioteque des Philosophes Chimique. Nouvelle edition andre Cuillian place de Sorbonne au Cain de la rue des macons a St Andre 1760 aux Privilege du Roy.
2. f1-72 [Second part inserted at end.] 2 de Cahier. Sur la Pierre Philosophale apparently there is a first part. [This added in later hand.]
[Bookplate of F.G. Irwin 'No.25'.]
[MSS. Ferguson 175-178 are in the same hand and bindings.]
[See MS. Ferguson 254.]
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Regule d'antimonie... [In French]. XVIIIth century.
1. p1-2 Art I Regule d'antimoine Etiolé.
[At end f2]: 'Ce article en extrait de la Chimie Experimentale ex raisonne de premiere edition 1774'.
2. p3-4 Art II Regule d'antimonie.
[On f3]: 'Du Jacque Tol dans la brochur du Ciel chimique imprime a Amsterdam en 7bre 1680.'
3. p5-18 Art III Regule martial Etoilé de Philalethes.
4. p19-35 Art IIII Regule auraire de pentaleon.
[7 folios of notes pasted in at end of notebook.]
[Bookplate of F.G. Irwin 'No.30'.]
[MSS. Ferguson 175-178 are in the same hand and bindings.]
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Table pour la metallurgie... [In French]. XVIIIth century.
Table pour la Metallurgie du MSS en parchemin.
[Text in 366 numbered paragraphs.]
[On cover]: 'Table du M.S. Deo.'
[Bookplate of F.G. Irwin 'No.28'.]
[MSS. Ferguson 175-178 are in the same hand and bindings.]
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Artephius ancien philosophe. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
Notes from and an interpretation of, the first chapter from an unidentifed book.
Bookplate of F.G. Irwin 'No.4'.
MSS. Ferguson 175-178 are in the same hand and bindings.
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Unidentified tract on Alchemy. [In Latin]. XVIth century.
Begins: De spiritibus et medicinis pertinentibus ad istam artem ....
A few rough drawings of flasks in margins.
MSS. Ferguson 179-183 in same hand and similar bindings.
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Unidentified tract in Italian on Alchemy. 1529.
Begins: 'Arzeto sublimato se revolve ita thel sia come cristalo et la ultima volta sublima ...'
Dated at top of f1v: '1529.'
MSS. Ferguson 179-183 in same hand and similar bindings.
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Secreta alchemie verissima et experimenta probita. [In Latin]. XVth century.
f1 Secreta Alchimie verissima et experimenta probata.
f2v Incipit tractatus fratris [Eliae d'Almania Opus] opere merchurij completus et perfectum....
MSS. Ferguson 179-183 in same hand and similar bindings.
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Habitis doctrinis de subtilibus restat minc videre de substantia ignis... [In Latin]. XVIth century.
Some rough drawings of flasks and furnaces in margins.
MSS. Ferguson 179-183 in same hand and similar bindings.
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Fragment of unidentified treatises in Latin on Alchemy. XVIth century. (Begins at p. 15).
[Begins with folios originally numbered '14'.]
[At bottom of f8]: 'Opus Philosophicum ex Raimundo Lullo.'
f8v [Drawing of double pelican distillation apparatus.]
f23v [Drawing of two flasks, one inverted with its neck inside the neck of the lower one.]
MSS. Ferguson 179-183 in same hand and similar bindings.
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Primero tratado de extractiones chimicas de los minerales vegitales y animales. [In Spanish]. XVIIth century.
f1-266 Primero Tratado De extractiones chimicas de los minerales vegetales y Animales.
f267-278 [Index.]
f279-284 Tratado 2° de la piedra de los philosophos por Juan de las nioro discipulo de Arte.
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Transcripts of chemical treatises from various printed works by Sieur de Colliette de Froqueville. In French. 1790-92.
1. p1 Traité Du ciel Terrestre de Wencelas Lavinius De Moravie. Copié sur la Biblio. Chym. de Salomon etc. Tom. 1. p232. etc.
[See S., Sieur, 'Bibliotheque des Philosophes chymiques...', Paris, 1678.]
2. p7 Le Livre de Philalethe Ou l'Entrée ouverte du palais fermé du roi. Par le Sieur Salomon Docteur en Medicine, auteur de la Biblioteque Chymique traduite parlui sur L'Exemplaire imprimé à Amsterdam en 1667. Sur l'Edition de Hambourg par M. Langine.
3. p119 Table ou liste des terme de l'art et des ancienne motre que setreuvent dans au Tom I.
[On flyleaf]: 'Transcrit sur l'Imprimé par le Seur Colliette de Froqueville 1792.'
[MSS. Ferguson 185-8 are in the same type of binding.]
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Transcripts of chemical treatises from various printed works by Sieur de Colliette de Froqueville. In French. 1790-92.
Recueil de Secrets et recettes pour quantite de choses utiles et agréables.
[5 pages of tables of weights and measures.]
[On flyleaf]: 'Receuille par le S. Colliette de Froqueville en 1790.'
[MSS. Ferguson 185-8 are in the same type of binding.]
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Transcripts of chemical treatises from various printed works by Sieur de Colliette de Froqueville. In French. 1790-92.
Bibliothèque des Philosophes (chimiques) ou recueil des oeuvres des auteurs les plus approuvés, qui ont écrit de la Pierre Philosophale, par Sieur Salomon, Docteur en Medicin...Paris 1673.
[On flyleaf]: 'Transcrit sur l'Imprimé par le seur Colliette de Froqueville Anné 1792.'
[MSS. Ferguson 185-8 are in the same type of binding.]
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La table d'amerande de Hermes Tristumegiste pere des philosophes. [In French]. XVIIth century.
1. p1 La Table d'Emeraude de Hermes Trismegiste Pere de la Philosophie. I Traite du Tome de la Bibliotéque Chimique par le S[ieur] Salomon Dr le Medicine. Edit. de Paris de 1683.
2. p2 Explication de la Table d'Emeraude, par Hortulain.
3. p17 La Tourbe de Philosophes ou l'assemblée de disciple de Pytagoraie appelleé le [...] de verité.
[See Jean Maugin de Richebourg, 'Bibliotheque des Philosophes chimiques', 1740.]
4. p73 Le Livre de Nicolas Flamel contenant l'Explication de figures hiéroglyphiques. (3 traité du Tom 1. de la Bibliothéque Chimique.)
[On flyleaf]: 'Transcrit sur l'Imprime par le Seur Colliette de Froqueville Aine 1792.'
[MSS. 185-8 are in the same type of binding.]
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Caspar Neumann : Lectures on chemistry, etc. [In German]. XVIIIth century.
p1-405 Lectio Prima Cursus Secundi Domini Professoris Neumanni.
p406-410 [Index.]
[Lectures in German on the Vegetable, Mineral and Animal Kingdom by Caspar Neumann dated 1726-27 on various folios.]
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Petrus Bonus : Collections and extraits. [In English]. XVIIIth century.
[At top of p1]: 'Ex Petro Bonus.'
[Collections from Petrus Bonus.]
[Fragment of text in Latin with parallel translation on facing pages into English of first three folios. The translation is incomplete though space has been left on blank facing pages for the English.]
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Thomas Norton. [The ordinall of alchimy.] 16th century.
[On f1]: 'Roger Arundell.'
f 1v [Verse in Latin.]
f2 [Text in English of the Ordinall of Alchemy.]
[6 very fine miniatures in watercolours with gold ink, on vellum inserted into the volume after folios 3, 10, 17, 20, 36 and 40.
According to the concluding lines, this poem was begun in 1477. It was first published in a Latin translation by Michael Maier in Tripus aureus, 1618. The English poem was first printed in Ashmole's Theatrum chemicum, 1652. Inscribed inside front cover: I gave Mr. Abdey 20s in one peese of gold for this boock in his cossen Mr Abdays Chamber in the fleet: Also after that Mr Abday cam to borrow: 10li: at wch time I gave him :10s: wch Nan Springe borowed of Brian the porter to geve him. Also after that he cam to my house at Lambeth about this boock at wch time I gave him in farthe recompens a frenche crowne in gold in the halle at Lambeth whereoppon he departed and sayd he was satisfied in presens of Nan Springe and others: Inscribed on recto of first leaf: the notes of this boock beinge written in the lefe before [this] wch is cutt oute is putt in my longe boock of notes in my casket by the lefe wch contayneth the note in Lattin taken out of ye Alchimye boocke of petrus bonus: my graunfather Sr John Arundell Knight writ his name as folowth vz: John Arundell of Trerys. My father alsoe as folowth vz: Roger Arundell. Inscribed on verso of penultimate leaf: Ex Catalogo Librorum Venalium Thomæ Osborne edita 16to Decembris 1751. Pretium £1: 1. 0
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Works of Ramon Lull in Latin.. XVth century.
1. f1 De investigacione artis Secreti occulta super totum opus maius in compendio.
f8r [Lullist 'tree' diagram.]
2. f11 Praxis Lapidum virtuosorum seu pretiosorum.
3. f19v Incipit tractatus margaritarum. Opus namque margaritarum sic condies.
4. f28 Compendium artis magicae transmutationis metallorum Raimundi.
[Compendium super lapidarium - Thorndike-Kibre 1016.]
5. f52 De Tinctis Albis et Rub.
[Some alchemical symbols.]
6. f57-65 Hic ponentur alique glose invente que fuerunt per volumina Raymondi lulii super certis capitulis.
7. f69-73 [Notes.]
[On inside front cover]: 'Phillips Manuscript 2674.'
[On inside back cover]: 'Mr Voynich.'
[On spine]: 'Raimund Ars occulta MS.'
[MSS. Ferguson 63, 76, 135 and 192 are four uniform alchemical notebooks probably once bound together, written by a north Italian scribe identified in MS. 76 as 'John Visio'.
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Johann Rudolph Glauber : Furnus philosophicus Glanberi... [In Latin]. XVIIth century.
1. f1-36 [Numbered as p1-67] Furnus Primus Philosophicus Glauberi et ratio parandorum spirituum oleorum et florum illius beneficio.
2. f37-44 [Numbered as p1-17] De tinctura Auri sive Auro Potabile Joh. Rud. Glauberi.
3. f38-91 [Numbered as pages 1-96] Praeparatio furni secundi.
4. f92-121 [Numbered as pages 1-53] Pars Tertia Furnorum philosophicorum Johannis Rudolfi Glauberii.
5. f122-161 [Numbered as pages 1-77] Pars Quarta Furnorum Philosophicorum Johan Rudolphi Glauberi.
f162-174 [Blank.]
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Jacob Taisson. Les oeuvres physiques. 17th century. The work is in six sections: Livre du phe Jacob Taisson orfevre natif d'Honfleur (p. 1) - Deuxiesme traité (p. 23) - Ici commence une maniere de faire l'oeuvre. Traitté 3e (p. 38) - J ay escrit cette science et ce livre en 4 manieres un peu differantes 1 un de 1 autre toutefois ce n est q une fin et une conclusion... (p. 56) [after five lines of religious dedication] - Extrait des vers du meme [136 lines of poetical extracts] (p. 59) - L'an 1581 moi Jacob Taisson orphevre natif d'Honfleur en Normandie parvint a cette divine science en la ville de Marseille avec beaucoup de peine et de travaux en necessités tres longues a raconter, J ay expliqué des choses cachées... Ce livre fut composé a Marseille en l'année 1584 par moi Jacob Taisson en temps que la ville etoit en peste dont mourut 2900 personnes. En avril année 1581, J ai commencé cet oeuvre en octobre Le 9 J ai Mis La figüe en la terre bien cultivée. On the front flyleaf: Les oeuvres phiques de Tesson ; John Bowden Florence, May 12th 1847 ; J[ohn] F[erguson], May 11, 1875
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Weekly lists of prescriptions, from 9 October 1668 to 22 August 1669. [In English.]
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A glase to them that bee of understandinge, and to the unwise, Foolishnes. The first parte doeth containe the true composition of the twoe Elixirs to the white and alsoe redd; The seconde parte doeth containe the waie of the makinge of the greate redd stone of the philosophers, and also of the white stone called Lunaria. Written by an Alderman of Parris to his sonne at his departure out of this worlde in anno 1432, by John Sammer. In English]. XVIIth century.
Translation of a treatuse on the composition of the white and redd elixiss...
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In Medullam Chimiae Vigani Notae Jo Andr Stisseri MD. et D. Helmst. [In Latin]. XVIIth century.
[With 17 page index.]
[See Giovanni Francesco Vigani, 'Medulla Chemiae', Gedani, 1682 and various other editions 1685-1718.]
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An abstract of the work of Hermes. [In English]. XVIIth century.
[On flyleaf]: 'This was from Lord Stafford Collection'.
1. f4 [Address to 'Right Ho:ble and my gratious Lord'. ]
2. f5-6 [Tabular summary of alchemical process.]
[At bottom]: 'The several parts of this table shall be further explained by the following short notes or discourses, wch shall have relation to the table by a correspondence of numbers.'
3. f7 [41 paragraphs describing in clear language the elements and processes of alchemy.]
4. f29 [Practical instruction in alchemical work with metals in 12 chapters.]
5. f46 Materials and Utensils necessary in this worke.
[List with alchemical symbols.]
6. f48 Alchymie or the Excellencie and highest perfection of that art.
This section is incomplete breaking off after only 3 folios and the rest of this manuscript is missing.
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Notebook of Francis Webb. 17th century
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Concerning the philosophers stone from Mr [Henry] Blunden.
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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A treatise of the most great Lord and Philosopher Dunstone Bishopp of Canterbury of ye Philosophers Stone.
With note at end: This is had from Mr Moulton, anno 1649.
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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To make of Antimony, a gold yeollow oyle whereby all kind of diseases may be cured.
Two recipes, the first with pen drawings of apparatus and with the note: This was the translacion of Mr Blunden; the second with the note: Translated out of high Dutch from Mr Blunden.
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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The epitomie of the treasure of health written by Edward Generosus Anglicus in nominatus qui vixit Anno Domini 1562.
A treatise on the philosophers' stone. Many authorities are mentioned, particularly S. Dunstan on pp.34-38, 46, 47. It ends with 28 lines of verse, first written out as prose, beginning: Goe now my scribbled book, and high thee to my friends.
[Verse. See Bodleian Libray MS. Ashmole 1419, item 3].
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Manna. Certaine notes taken out of a manuscript called Manna. With note at end: Written out of Dr Everards book of Fullam, the 25 of Aprill 1651. - i.e. John Everard, D.D., 1575?-1650? The treatise describes the use of the philosophers' stone for health, multiplication, the making of artificial precious stones and quicksilver and for magical operations.
See Bodleian Library MS. Ashmole 1440 and MS. Ferguson 9.
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Out of Zacharias. [i.e. Denis Zacaire.] [La vraye philosophie naturelle des metaulx: English]
Ends: Here endeth the small work of M.D. Zacharias. Contains three recipes: To make projection upon metalls, The manner how to use our divine work upon pearles and upon rubies, The manner how to use our divine worke towards humaine bodies for to heal them of sicknesses and to preserve them in health. The recipes are to be found on pp.161-169 of the 1574 Lyons edition at Af-f.40.
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To make [alchemical symbol: mercury] into cleare water.
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To make regulus martis.
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To make running mercury out of [alchemical symbol: antimony].
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To praecipitate gold.
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To make running [alchemical symbol: mercury] out of [alchemical symbol: lead].
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To make aqua regis of salt peter & sal amoniack out of Basilius 4th part of his testament fol 151 [corrected to 451]. This has not been traced in the printed editions of: Basilius Valentinus. The last will and testament, London: 1656 [etc.]
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To mak copper whit.
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, A medicene for the gout.
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, For the goute [in different hand].
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To make mercurium or quick silver fixt & solid.
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To melt iron & make bulletts or any such thing by casting.
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, Oare of antimonie [with date May 6 1649].
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To make strong water for myself [with date 'last of May 1664' and the name: Mr Stall].
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To make aurum fulminans or gownpuder of gold [different hand].
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, Spiritus confortance partes principales [different hand, with note at end signed Jo: Funialles.]
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, Essentia ambraegresiae [different hand].
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To make a flower or any vegitable rise in a glasse with his proper shape [with note: Probatum J.F.]
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To glaze an earthen potte etc that shall be close and not porous [with note: probatum per Isaak Holandus in lib manu. i.e. Isaac Hollandus].
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Recipe, To make oyle lime-seed, or so cleare as water [with note: probatum Capt Pawlin(?)].
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Francis Webb. [Notebook] 17th century. Contains: Recipe, To make glass endure fire [with note: probatum Mr Shoudwin]
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Recipe, To draw a sharpe water from [alchemical symbol: antimony] [with note: Probatum J.V.]
In Notebook of Francis Webb.
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Sieur Colliette de Froqueville. Le Naturaliste expert et moderne, ou Recueil de précieux et rares Secrets, Recettes et Remedes, tirés de l'histoire naturelle de Pline, edit. de 1622. 1ere Partie. Le Naturaliste Expert et moderne, ou Recueil de précieux et rares Secrets, Recettes, et Remedes, tirés du Livre intitulé: Les commentaires de M.P. André Mathiolus, &c. 2e Partie. Additions de diverses autres Recettes sures, Remedes, Compositions, et Secrets interessans. 3e Partie. 1789.
p1 1ere Partie
p49 2e Partie
p87 3e Partie.
p137 Table des matieres de ce livre.
[Medical recipes in French.]
[On first leaf]: 'Recueilli par le Sieur Colliette de Froqueville en 1789.
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Sieur Colliette de Froqueville. Le petit Médecin Botaniste portatif. Recueil tres intéressant et utile de Secrets, Recettes et Remedes, propres à la Santé, et à d'autres usages journaliers. Paris l'an 1792, Le 4. de la Liberté, le 1er de l'Egalité. Inscribed on first leaf: Recueilli par le Sr Colliette de froqueville homme de loi en 1792.
At end 8 page table of contents.
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Sonnenblume der Weisen/ das ist Eine helle und klare Vorstellung der Präparirung des Philosophischen Steins/ Neben bestrafung derjenigen, welche sich ohne Grund hierinnen bemühen, wie auch eine Wohlmeinende Warnung/ Jn was vor Materien man sich hierinnen zu hüten, indem die Autorin ihre selbst eigene Thorheiten, so sie in ungegründeten Arbeiten begangen, aller Welt vor Augen stellet. Zum öffentlichen Druck Afflictionibus triumphante. Nunmehrs zum andern mal in deutscher Sprache gedrucht Jm Jahre Christi 1755.
[It has been suggested that this work was written by Jane Lead under the pseudonym 'Leona Constantia' and published in 1704.]
[In Dr. E. Schubert's handwriting.]
[See MS. Ferguson 46.]
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Historia Philosophiae Hermeticae nach Alphabetischer Ordnung zusammen getragert von C.J.D. [In German]. XVIIIth century.
Alphabetical list in German of alchemical writers with short biographies and in some cases a listing of their works.
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Fragment on Hermetic Philosophy.. [In English]. XVIIIth century.
Part of a treatise in English on the history of Hermetic Philosophy. The manuscript begins in the middle of chapter XXIII and continues till XXXV, with chapters on Albertus Magnus, Arnauld of Villeneuve, Raymond Lulle, Pope John XXII, John de Rupescipa, Nicholas Flamel, John Cremer, Basile Valentin, Isaac Holland, Bernard of Trevisan.
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Liber de consideratione quinte esentie ervici rerum transmutabilii. [In Latin]. XVth century.
1. f1-33v The Theoricke parte of the extraction of the Quintessence of Raymonde Lullii, otherwise called the Mirror of Light of Roger Bacon.
2. f33v-54v Incipit secundus liber de generalibus remediis.
3. f54v Here endeth the secund boke the whiche is callid the general remedies agens diverse infirmities. And here bigynneth the third boke of the werkes of alkymye with his chapitres all here foloweng.
f71r Explicit semita secundum Albertum in Alkamia.
[Compare with MS. Sloane 353.]
4. f71v Hic incipit opus bonefactii 14 cum sequentibus capitulis albis et rubiis.
5. f75v-86 [Various recipes in English beginning 'For to purge Jubiter'.]
[Ornamental initial letters to paragraphs in blue and red. Text in fine legible hand.]
[At end f86]: 'finis 15 [...]'
[On f 86, 'Dekyngstone whose Booke of fower score leaves and fyve and a halfe this is'. This is likely to be Edmund Dickinson see MSS. Sloane 1842, 2170, 3630, 3758, 3762, MS. Ashmole 1452 and manuscript in Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica.]
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Quirin Kuhlmann. The eight Chapter of ye Lilie Rose Bud of Quirinus Kuhlmanus. 17th century.
Probably a translation into English of a section from Quirin Kuhlman's 'Neubegeisterter Böhme', Leiden 1674.
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Brevis Tractatus de Chiroscopia, seu Chiromancia. Leitovi. [In Latin]. XVIIIth century
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Coronatio Naturae. c.1600.
72 pen and watercolour illustrations with Latin titles. The drawings are numbered [2], 67, [3], with several misbound.
f iii Scientia haec potius divina quam humana est, quod in hac reluceant Christianae fidei Misteria. Si verae consideremus substantiam, facile similitudinem quandam sanctissimae trinitatis perspiciemus (si ita loqui licet) neque enim res creatas Creatoris comparare fas est. In hac, Imago quaedam deprehenditur incarnationis salvatoris n[ost]ri, mortis, et resurrectionis, ad caelosque Ascensionis euis.
[Coloured diagram of a furnace on folded sheet of paper is inserted between f iii and f1.]
f1 [Banner at top]: 'Prudentia non fortuna.'
[Circular figure with some text in middle.]
f2 [Banner at top]: 'Astrologia terrestris.'
[Figure of sun surrounded by six other planets and signs of zodiac.]
[Banner below]: 'Sphaera.'
f3 [Banner at top]: 'Angelorum Opus Auctore Hermete Philosophorum peritessimo.'
[First figure of the Crowning of Nature series.]
f3-71 [67 figures of Crowning of Nature series some in wrong order, though correctly numbered.]
f71 [Figure of flask in furnace entitled in banner 'Athanor'.]
[At bottom]: 'Qui Omnia possidet nulla re Deinceps complementum opus habet.'
f72 [Figure of scholar seated with book and surrounded by banners with 'Quies', 'Prudentia', 'Scientia', 'Opes', 'Honores', 'Pietas', 'Liberalitas', 'Sanitas', and 'Omnia dii laboribus vendunt'.]
f73 [King seated on throne holding out orb and sceptre. From his heart six red beams emanate and shine on to six courtiers cloathed only in a cloak showing the symbol of a planet. At the bottom a substance burns in a crucible and smoke arises. This picture is entitled in a banner 'Projectio'.]
[On f77v]: 'Recapitulatio totius magisterii per Raymundum Lullium.'
[13 lines, in Latin, stated to have been taken from a French manuscript, with the date 1603.]
For other copies see MSS Ferguson 8, 155, 245, 253. On fol. 77 verso: Ramón Lull Recapitulatio totius magisterii 13 lines, in Latin, stated to have been taken from a French manuscript, with the date 1603.
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Johann Isaac Hollandus : De urinis. XVth century. MS. on vellum.
1. f3-39 Tractatus urinarum Isaac translatus a quonstantino africano [Constantinus Africanus] in latinam linguam.
[Isaac Judeus [Ishak ibn Sulaiman al-Israil], 'Omnia Opera Ysaac', 1515.]
2. f39v Incipiunt uersus Egidii de urinis.
[Various recipes and medical notes.]
[Old armorial bookstamp 'Comes donatus silvat' stamped on flyleaf.]
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Alchemy MS. In English. 18th century.
1. f1-67 Here beginnethe the Book of the Rosary of the Philosophers most diligently compiled and brought into one volume.
f67 [At end]: 'Finis. In Lubeck the 24th day of the moneth of October in the yeer of our Lord 1588.'
Translation into English of the 'Rosarium Philosophorum' probably from 'De Alchimia Opuscula complura veterum philosophorum... Francoforti ex officina Cyriaci Jacobi', Francofurti, 1550. The 20 watercoloured drawings copies of the original woodcuts have been made on separate pieces of paper and pasted onto the folios. They are finely executed and have a liberal use of gold and silver inks. All are square, set within a ruled border in gold ink.
2. f68 The Making of Gold and the Golden Fleece of John Aurel Augurell a poet of Ariminium.
Binder's title: Alchemy MS.
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George Triplan : Memoires chimiques... [In French]. XVIIIth century.
1. f2 [p1-48] Memoires Chimiques de George Triplanus Anglois. Par Nicolas Bernard Philosophe Chimiste Erffurd Joh. Birkner 1614.
2. f26 [p1-11] Traite de Georges Triplan du Mercure et du la pierre des sages.
3. f34 [In different hand] Procede veritable et experimente pour teincture La Lune en fin Sol...
Bookplate of F.G. Irwin 'No. 22.' Same binding as MSS. Ferguson 214, 218, 223 and 227.
[See George Ripley, 'Chymische Schriften', edited Barnaud, Erfurt, Birckner, 1624.]
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Traité de l'Art de fabriquer la Poudre à canon. 18th century.
Treatise in French on making gunpowder. There is inserted a number of pages from a printed book on the subject, with manuscript notes in margins.
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Der erste tractat ditz ersten buches... [In German]. XVIth century.
fi-4v Philips Müller Anno etc. 1593: Ich hette michs in höchster warheit nicht versehn, was mire durch vntrewe Pflichtvergeßener Leuth ist geschehen.
[Note at top of f1]: 'Hic liber dono datus est mihi den 23. Martii 1718 ab eminentissimo et Celsissimo Principi et Electore Moguntino Lotharo Francisco...'
[Note at foot of f1 in the same hand]: 'Dr. Güth Archiater Moguntinus est huius libri possessor'.
[Notes on alchemy with marginal references to biblical texts.]
fv [Notes.]
f1-250 Der Erste Tractat deß Ersten Buches, Welcher leheret die Praeparation etlicher Vegetabilischer Sachen in der Alchÿmÿa gebreüchlich, vndt heltt in sich Nachfolgende Capitel vndt Proces. Das Erste Capitel von den Praeparationibus des Spiritus vini, vndt andere ding die auß dem Wein praeparirt werden.
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Vade-Mecum Philosophique ou Breve introduction au champ de la sagesse renfermant les arcanes de la plus secrette Philosophie ensanent les fils de Doctrine par Philalethe [Eirenaeus Philalethes.] [In French]. XVIIIth century.
Bookplate of F.G. Irwin 'No. 24.' Same binding as MSS. Ferguson 211, 218, 223 and 227.
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A short treatise upon the art and mystery of making of copperus... By Ephraim Rinhold Seehl. 1768. [In English]
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Treatise on alchemy, &c. By Humphrey Lock. [In English]. XVIIth century.
1. p1-6 [Dedicatory verse to Lord Sir William Cecill, Lord of Burleige, Knight of the Order and high Treasurer of England.]
2. p7-80 [Alchemical treatise in 33 chapters.]
3. p81-87 'I have also hereunto added certaine abbreviations in meter, which I had drawne out long before I began this book...'
['Of Ferment' and 'Ripleis Castle' in verse.]
4. p87 [In margin]: 'The worke of women and ye play of Children'.
[Extract from a work beginning at chapter 15 and finishing at Chapter 17.]
[At end p90.]: 'This former treatise was written out of an ancient booke by Actam a doctor dwelling in the famous citie of Lipsia, which ancient booke doth belong sometimes to Carolus the fourth Emperour of the Romans, out of which booke hee did cause our Stone to bee wrought and did most perfectly accomplish it, who also did build many churches, collegiate and cathedral and hospitalls. Finis. Womens worke and Childrens play.'
[Note in margin]: '[...] 1s day of Aprill 1614.'
5. p91 The Standing of that glasse for the time of the putrifaction and congelation of the Medicine by H.L.
6. p92 Here followe the Sawes of Philosophie, that is privie and of truth thereof our philosophical Stone hath noe proper name but is called by diverse names etc.
7. f97 To Calcine true [...].
8. f99 Hereafter followeth a Ball for Alkamists to play withall.
9. f100 The sublimation of Sal Armoniack for the Redd tincture following.
10. f101 Here followeth the quintaeccentie of Antimonye.
11. f102 Out of the Booke of the Redd workes.
12. f106 A note how to make Ressin the Stones of Arabia called Lapis Tintall, whereof Borax is made, the which Gouldsmiths use.
13. f107 To make artificial pearls.
[At end]: 'Probatum est H.L.'
[See British Library MS. Sloane 299.]
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L'Hermes francois onquelle est contenu tout ce quest recercaire a lo parfaite cognoissance de la philosophie spargirique. [In French verse]. XVIIth century. Phillipps MS. 4383.
[Incomplete. Breaks off at end of f8.]
[Dated on elaborate initial letter of first folio]: '1588'
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Petit traite sur les jours philosophiques. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
[Note added on f1 in different hand]: 'very beautiful French manuscript on the 'Secret of Secrets Tree of Knowledge' V.V.'
f6v Suplement de Grosparmy, Vicot et Valoir.
[In margin]: 'La pratique Ecrite est le miroir de la verite grosparmy'.
[Notes from book with references to page numbers. A number of references to 'Raimond' i.e. Raimon Lull.]
f7 ['Lullist' drawing of heptagon inside circle with letters and various alchemical correspondences.]
[Two other small pen drawings in the margins of the text.]
There are two folios in a different hand and a paper added at the end entitled: 'Extraits des autres du Pere Lanin Jesuite Espagnole.'
Bookplate of F.G. Irwin 'No. 19.' Same binding as MSS. Ferguson 211, 214, 223 and 227.
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Philipus Theophrastus Paracelsus : Arcana arcanorum arcanissima... 1546. [In German]. Transcript, XVIIIth century.
f2 [Very finely executed drawing in ink. Portrait of Paracelsus, probably coped from a copperplate engraving.]
1. f3-11 Philippi Theophrastus Paracelsi, Arcana Arcanorum Arcanissima, quae Theophastus Junior manu propria elaboravit, et in suo Manuali posteritati reliquit, Anno Christi 1546. Hocce Manuscriptum in Monasterio Patrum Ordinis St Benedicti Erfurtensi, inter Cimelia asservatur rarissima.
f12 [Drawing in ink, portrait of Johann Arndt, probably copied from a copperplate engraving.]
2. f13 Des hatte keinen Cörper nicht, und war in Paradiesse....
der erden Doctor Johann Arndt.
3. f14-20r Diese handschrift hat dem hoch berümten Herrn, freyherrn Henrico Heldio von Winterstein,....Anthonius à Terra Ritter von Oriente A.C.R.C. London den 20 August 1606. [Solomon's Seal and Cross below name.]
f16r [Pen drawing (of Anthonius à Terra ?) in style of copperplate engraving.]
4. f20v-25 Abraham von Franckenberg eines Schlesischen Reitters, besonderer Process von dem Thau des Himmels.
[Notes from von Franckenberg by Antonius à Terra.]
5. f26-60 Schreibwürdiger und Nie vorhin geschener Probir Stein der Güldenen Nathur., welcher unterschiedliche geheime Chÿmische, Wunder zum bewehrlichstem hervorgebracht aus Serti Monte 1669.
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Science Hermetique ou La Pierre Philozophale. Text de Solidonius Philosophe enrichi de ses figures hieroglifiques Tirées des Egiptiens avec leur explication. [Latin and French]. XVIIIth century.
18 full page watercolour drawings in the text.
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Receipts. Belles invencions par exipre choses secretes ; carmens et vers tant en Latin quen franchois. [In French]. Early XVIIth century.
f1-9 [Unidentifiable section.]
f11 Ce Chapitre contient beaucoup de sorte de carmens et vers tant en Latin quen Franchois et aultres passages dignes de schauoir.
[f13, 15v, 16-19 contain verses or pieces of text which contain a hidden message, the letters constituting this message being capitalised.]
f20 Ce Chapitre contient beaucoup de beaulx exemples et escripts dignes destre leuz et annotez et premieres.
f23 Ce Chapitre contient toute sorte de sciences et subtilites...
f33 Ce Chapitre contient diverse sortes de sciences pour la noureiture...
f40 Histoire tragique et admirable d'une princese d'albanie.
f59 Ce Chapitre contient diverses sortes de scienses et Beaux secrets pour apprehendre ... diverses belles couleures.
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Medicina mea sotu compositor ex nostris.
An early 16th Century manuscript in Latin is inlaid in larger folios, interspersed with translation into French of 17th century.]
f1-5 [Blank.]
1. f5v [6 pages from a printed book entitled 'La Chymie' with a list of alchemical symbols have been glued onto the folio.]
f6r [Signature]: 'Biberel.'
2. f6v Medicina mea solum composita.
[There are 12 small watercoloured drawings in the original Latin text. This is the series of the 'Praetiosissimum Donum Dei' in the version similar to that used as the basis for the engraved version in J. D. Mylius 'Anatomia Auri', Frankfurt, 1628.]
[The original Latin folios are numbered 1-12.]
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The union of antimony with gold, given by some state prisoner at Marseilles 1719. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
1. f1 [Title added later]: 'The Union of Antimony with Gold, given by some state Prisoner at Marseilles in France 1719.'
2. f2 Secret pour donner l'Antimoine à l'Or.
3. f5 Pour la Glorification de [Mercury].
4. f6-8 [Notes from a French work on Astrology. Extracts or summaries of chapters 28,31,37.]
5. f9-16 de l'Astrologie judiciaire regardée comme suspecte et déffendue par les Anciens.
6. f17-41 [Fragmentary text in French, section lost at beginning. Numbered as pages 23-95.
[At end] : 'Les procédes depuis la page 6 jusquà la page 49 inclusivement sont tirés mot pour de l'ouvrage allemand de Kellner intitulé: Aerarium Chymicum, Leipsic 1708.'
[See Kellner, David. 'Wohlangerichtes Aerarium Chymicum Antiquo-Novum, oder Alt-erneuert und reichlichst vermehrte Chymische Schatzkammer...', Leipsig, 1702.]
7. f42-43 Tables Cabalistiques Arithmetiques par le moyen de quelles quelques....Par Mr A.E*** ... Paris 1745.
[Bookplate of F.G. Irwin 'No. 23'. Same binding as MSS. Ferguson 211, 214, 218, 227.]
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Das Geheime Werck der Hermetischen Philosophie worrinen die natürlichen und künstlichen Geheimnüsse der materie des Philosophischen Steins, wie auch die art und Weise zu arbeiten richtig und ordentlich offenbahret sind von Joannes d'Espagnet, anagram e in u mutatur : Penes nos unda tagi. Leipzig, Verlegts, Valentine Adler, 1685. [In German].
137 numbered paragraphs.
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Historisch-critische Untersuchung über Theophrastus von Hohenheim.
Eine Dissertation zur Erlangung der Doctorwürde in der philosophie unter dem Praesidium von Pr. Dr. Reif vorgelegt von Friedrich Mook aus Bergzabern. Tübingen 1865.
[Bibliography of writings on Paracelsus on pages 261-279.]
Mook's dissertation was published at Würzburg in 1876: Reviewed by E. Schubert and Karl Sudhoff in Paracelsus Forschungen, I. Helt, Frankfurt 1887, pages 1-89.
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Works of Geber in German. XVIIIth century.
1. f1-13 GEBRI des Arabischen, hochverständigen, und in Natürlichen (besonders in Metallischen) dingen hocherfahrnen Philosophi, Buch von der Alchemia, welches Er die Jnvestigationem Perfectionis, oder Ergründung der Volkommenheit, intitulirt hatt. [In 13 chapters.]
2. f14-84 Des Ersten Buchs der Summae perfectionis Gebri. [In 60 chapters.]
f85-145 Das ander Buch der Summae perfectionis Gebri. [In 44 chapters.]
3. f146-163 De Inventione veritatis seu Perfectionis. [In 23 chapters.]
4. f164-201 Liber Fornacum. [In 30 chapters.]
f204-206 [Table of contents.]
[See 'Alchimia', Norimberg apud Ioh. Petreium, Anno 1541.]
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Aureum Seculum Patefactum ou La Revelation du Siecle d'or dans laquelle le menstrum universale seu material chaotica... par Aristophilum [sic] Chrysandrum. Jay fait la traduction de cet ouvrage allemand pour Mr. Falconnet.... [In French]. XVIIIth century.
[Incomplete - breaks off at end of page 70 in middle of paragraph.]
[See Chrysander, 'Alitophilus Aureum seculum patefactum oder die eröffnete güldene Zeit, darinnen das...', Nürnberg, 1706.]
Bookplate of F.G. Irwin 'No. 1'. Same binding as MSS. Ferguson 211, 214, 218, 223.
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Roger Bacon MS. In Latin. XV Century.
1. f1-2 Tractatus de lapidibus philosophorum.
[Begins]: 'Quod lapis noster sit.'
2. f3-5r Incipit Reymundus [Galfredus].
[Begins]: Verbum abbreviatum verissimum et approbatum de occultum emittat breve sermone a brevia.
[Roger Bacon, 'De Leone Viridi', edited by Raymundus Galfredus (D.W. Singer no. 193), printed in Roger Bacon, 'Sanioris Medicinae. De Arte Chymiae scripta... opuscula alia eiusdem', Frankfurt, 1603.]
3. f5v-6v Conclusiones philosoph de Elixir.
[Begins]: 'Hermes pater philosophorum dixit... In primis corpus solutus et aqua...'
[See Thorndike-Kibre p. 612, Liber secretus de floribus philosophorum
4. f6v-7 Hic incipit tractatus optimus in quo exponit et aperte declarat...
[D.W. Singer no. 157, 'Plinius Philosophis Secretum Secretorum', Cambridge University Library MS. K.k.VI. f129v-131 (15th Century).]
[Front cover, not original binding, has 'Roger Bacon MS'. ]
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Raimundus Lullius : and others. 140 chymicall receipts and experiments. The science of alchemy. Bloomfield's compendiary... [9 pieces, in English]. XVIIth century.
f1v [Table of contents, incomplete.]
[f2-63 numbered as pages 1-124.]
1. p1-63 140 Chymicall Receipts & Experiments.
2. p64-72 The Science of Alchimye.
p72 [Pen drawing with symbols representing the four elements, the Animal, Vegetable and Mineral kingdoms, with 'Chaos' at centre.]
3. p73 The Compendiary of the Noble Science of Alchymy compiled by Mr William Blomefeild philosopher and Batchellor of Physick admitted by King Henry the eighth of most famous memory. Anno 1557.
4. p74-82 Bloomfield's Blossomes. [Verse.]
p77 [Pen drawing of a tree of alchemy marked with processes and substances.]
5. p83-85 Daltons Degrees of fire. [Verse.]
6. p86-111 The short and compendious art of Reymond Lully in the which is compiled and writ the flowers of all his bookes.
7. p112-117 This is said to be the Work of Pierce ye black Monck.
[See Ashmole, Elias 'Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum', p.275.]
8. p118-124 This book (in the Revelation of the secrett spirit pa: 37) is called The Practice of the Philosophers. But in ye book called Animae Avicennae pag:165 it is mentioned to be ye work of Rasis explayning Avicen.
9. f64-82 This is the remaynder of an auncient Chimicall booke (the former that thereof being cut away) and the rest beginning at page 42 followeth.
10. f84-86 [Various medical recipes.]
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Alberto Magnus and Ramón Lull. The most excellent workes of Albert the Great, and Raimundus Lullie, most acute philosophers, and famous phisitions of the secrets of nature: digested into five bookes: 1. Treatinge of the perfection of phisicke: 2. Of precious stones, and their accidents: 3. Of their types and figures: 4. Determininge of metalls in particulare: 5. Treatinge of halfe mineralls, and what to them partaininge. Scriptum et emblematibus illustratum a Francisco Griggs, cive et sculptore Londinensi: et professore celeberrimæ artis graphicæ. Anno 1635.
Alchemical treatises in English presented by Robert Lane to Sir Henry Berkley, in 1635.]
f1 [Elaborate coloured title page with heraldic crest at top, watercoloured.]
1. f2-3 [Address by Robert Lane of Wallgrave in Northampton to Sr Henry Berkley.]
2. f4-20 [Copy of the illustrations from the 'Crowning of Nature' series entitled 'Angelorum Opus'. 68 watercolour drawings of 'Crowning of Nature' series, 2 on each side of a folio. Number one is repeated twice. No text is included.]
f21 [Elaborate title page similar to that on f1]: 'The Most Excellent workes of Albert the Great and Raimundus Lullie...'
3. f22-49 The first booke of the Quintessence or Secrets of Nature of Raimond Lulle...
[6 pen drawings of alchemical apparatus in the text, on f27r, 27v, 28r, 28v, 42v.]
4. f50-111 The First booke of Albert the Great Of Minerals...
[The Five Books of Minerals follows.]
[See Bodleian Library, MSS Ashmole 1419 item 3, and British Library MS. Sloane 2192, for other pieces by Robert Lane.]
Two architectural title pages in ink and watercolours, 68 drawings of alchemical emblems in ink and watercolours, and a number of line drawings throughout the work. The dedication to Sir Henry Berkley, Knight and Baronet, is by Robert Lane, who writes: 'I most humbly present vnto you... my laboure herein.' This is a translation of Raimundi Lulii De secretis naturae siue Quinta essentia libri duo. His accesserunt, Alberti Magni De mineralibus et rebus metallicis libri quinque, which was published at Strassburg in 1541. Inscribed on last leaf: To the Right honorable Lord George Berklet barond of berkly and berklit casell. Contemporary centre-and-corner binding in black morocco with Berkeley arms on covers
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A German Manuscript on making coke, tar, &c. with 21 fine drawings in colour illustrating the process.
20 double plates of drawings of buildings, retorts, apparatus, etc., coloured ; with descriptions in German. XIXth century.
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Geberi Philosophi ac alchimistae maximi, De alchimia. Libri tres. 17th century.
1. f1-66r Geber Philosophi ac alchimistae maximi, De Alchemia. Libri Tres.
[6 rough drawings of alchemical apparatus in the text.]
f66v-67 [Notes.]
2. f68-72r Gebri Arabis Philosophi solertissimi, rerumque naturalium peritissimi liber, quem inscripsit de inventione veritatis sive perfectionis, Incerto Interprete.
[Notes and summaries of chapters probably from a printed book.]
3. f72v-76 Geberi Arabis Philosophi sollertissimi rerumque naturalium peritissimi, liber fornacum ad exerienda [...] pertinentium interprete Rodogero Hispalensi.
[Notes and summaries of chapters probably from a printed book.]
[See Guglielius Grataroli, 'Verae Alchemiae doctrina', Basel 1561.]
Inscribed 'Phillips MS 931.'
Stamped: Sir T.P. Middle Hill. No 931. Also inscribed: Old no. in red paint apparently 1013 on the back. ex Bibl. Celotti. This was one of the manuscripts bought by Sir Thomas Phillipps at the sale of Abbé Luigi Celotti in 1825. Bought by Ferguson on June 14, 1898. Binder's ticket: Bretherton legavit 1849
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Aenigma alchymisticum. XVIII Century. In Latin.
1. f1-96 Aenigma alchymicticum Complectens veram materjam et totam artem...
[Continues in verse]:
Zehen Buchstaben werden gesucht
Ains nach fünff und tausent zukzt:
Vier Sülben und auch fünff vocal
macht tausent und zway und sechzig die Zahl:
Ain hundert auch damit hinlaufft
Also ist dessen Nam getaufft.
Welches gibt ein hohe Medicin
wans recht bereithet wird vorhin.
VICtrI.
2. f97-98 [Recipes. Dated at top '9 Janu 1694'.]
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Bartholomaeus Anglicus. De proprietatibus rerum. Netherlands, mid 15th century.
For full description, see N.R. Ker Medieval MSS in British Libraries, vol. 2 (1977) pp. 896-7.
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Experience De Naxogore suivant les anneaux de platon et la chaine d'or D'homere. dans la quélle on montre clairment et sincerement le veritable procedé, pour travailler la medicine universelle. Traduit d'apres un manuscrit allemand par Mr*** a Paris en 1742. Lé pour les operations du chevalier Naxagoras. [In French]
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Notes and extracts from various alchemical works mostly in German but some in Latin.
f i 'Anno 1677 Den 23 Aprilis Johannes Kunckel v. Lowenstein.'
1. f1 Arboris Solis.
2. f2r Das erste Kapitel. Wie mann die Goldische frucht von den Goldischen Baume scheÿden soll.
3. f6 Processus Verissimus et probatissimus Mercurium ex metallis praeparare.
4. 15v Processus ex 7 3 Probattissimus. Anno 1605.
5. f24 Hanc Amavi et Exquesivi eam semper sit Nomen Domini Benedictum. A Quodam Philosopho.
6. f37v Alexander Sydonius.
7. f38 Eduardus Kelleus ita fecit.
8. f44 Compositio Thesauri Thesaurorum.
9. f51 Diaphoron Praefation Bartholomei Korndörffers.
10. f55 Mineralis Tinctura Universalis Vera von Hauptmann Tobias.
11. f61 Tinctura Vera Philip Jacob Iustenhöfers.
12. f77 Opus et Magnum Secretum de Antimonio Fratris Alexandri Sebastiani Monachi Benedictini ex manuscripto ipsius.
13. f81 Sequentia haec dicitur Basilii Valentini Monachi esse A Johanne Tholden... 1624.
14. f93 Arbor crescens Solis et Luna, et est Augmentum Solis et Luna cum Mercurio Animato.
[and other such short extracts and notes from various works.]
15. f270-280 [Glossary of alchemical terms.]
[Note by Ferguson on flyleaf 'Compare Kopp Alchemie I. 65 note'.]
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Liber vexacionen first made out and written by Phillip Theophrasty Paracellsy. [In English]. XVIIth century.
1. f1-9 Liber vexacionum. First made and written by Doctor Phillip Theophrasty Paracellcy containeinge the Science and nature of Meumye and what mere ought to hold thereof of through 7 Grounded Rules upon the 7 Comon Mettells declared and concluded with a prologue and other thinges thereunto apportayneinge Published and set forth By Doctor Adam Bodonstam [Bodenstein] in the highe German tongue and turned into English by a Lover of the said Scyence to the honor of god and for the benifite of the poore people. By J.W. Suffer and take heede.
[See Paracelsus, Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus 'Liber vexationum. Kunst und Nature der Alchimia... sampt einer Vorred mit etlichen zügehörenden Stucken und Beschlüssen abgefertiget. Publiciert durch D. Adam von Bodenstein.', Basel, 1567.]
2. f10-13v The Booke of Cements. [Paracelsus.]
3. f13v-17 The Booke of Gradacions. [Paracelsus.]
4. f18-61 [Various short extracts, notes and treatises on Alchemical processes.]
5. f62-70 A Manifestation of the occult Artificia of Brother Basile Valentina: a monck of the Benedict order tending to the supreame secret of the Philosopher stone of health and Riches.
6. f71-72 Philosophicall Caracters and their interpretation...
7. f73-78r [Unidentified Alchemical treatise, with diagram of furnace inserted.]
8. f78v-82r [Fragmentary extract from the 'Crowning of Nature' with crude pen drawings of the 'Projectio'and 'Multiplicatio', together with the attached text, and includes the text of a third section the 'Chaos Veterum' though omits the diagram.]
[On f80v]: 'This is truth transcribed finis the 6th of August at just 7 ho. pm 1656.'
9. f82v-85 [Various fragmentary notes and extracts on alchemy.]
[f1 has the signature 'John Stacy', who would appear to be the transcriber of this manuscript.]
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Secrets disclosed. [In English]. 1812.
1. f2 Secrets Disclosed - One Friend to another as Bloomfield suppose - The Philosophers Stone, the secrets doth disclose.
[Opposite the title a printed engraving of Ripley's Wheel has been stuck onto f1v.]
2. f4 The Process of the Grand Elixer.
3. f8 The Practice of Lights.
4. f15v Secrets Revealed, Or an Entrance into the Shut Palace of the King, By a most famous Englishman stiling himself Anonymous, or Eyraeneus Philalethes, Cosmopolita, who attained the Philosophers Stone at the Age of 23 years. [In 34 chapters.]
[See Philalethes, 'Eirenaeus Secrets revealed: or, an open entrance to the shut-palace of the king...', London, 1669.]
5. f40v [Note to the Reader. Dated 1645.]
[Note at bottom]: 'This page traced over by me Jasper to preserve the same legible - the originall being nearly faded by time as appears by the part of the line remaining- 1813'..
[Bookplate of William Gordon of Fyvie. Same binding as MSS. Ferguson 239 and 243.]
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A loving mite cast into the treasury for the chymicke and spagyricke art, or a plaine progresse hierin chiefely collected and composed for the lovers of sonnes of that sacred art. XVIIth century.
Bookplate of William Gordon of Fyvie. Same binding as MSS. Ferguson 238, 243.
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Compendium hermeticum. [In Latin]. XVIth century.
p1-166 Compendium Hermeticum. Caput primum: Wher die artzneÿ erfunden, Undt woher der Uhralten Medicin zu nehmen.
[Begins]: Die Wahre artzneÿ der Uhralten bestehet allein in der Quinta Essentia Und ist von dem Hermete Trismegisto, qui vixit tempore Moÿsis , erstlich beschrieben und schrifftlich verfasset worden, die wahre artzneÿ kommt allein von Gott, der hatt sie in Trinitate Manifestiert und zu erkennen geben...
[Extracts, notes and recipes from various alchemical authors including Paracelsus, Gerhard Dorn, Lull, Hadrian Mynsicht. In German with short sections, titles, etc. in Latin.]
p167-171 [Index.]
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Placides et Timeo. Secres de nature. Secres des femmes. [In French]. XVth century.
[Philippe le Bel. Placides au Philosophe Tymeo.]
1. f1-65 Placides et Timeo ou secres de nature.
2. f66-73 Che sont les sectes de femmes translates de latin en franchois..
[See Bibliothèque Nationale MSS. Français 631, 2027 and 19994. Also see A. Colson, 'Secres des Dames', Paris 1880.]
Letter from John Holmes to Lord Ashburnham inserted loose; refers to this manuscript in Ashburnham's possession, 1853.
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Miracle naturel. [In French]. XVIIth century.
1. Miracle naturel ou le grand mistere des misteres de la nature dans lequel on voit la pierre magicochimique composée et perfectionnée selon les vrais ecrits des vrais philosophes choisis hermetiques ce qui compose la medicine universelle.
[22 full page drawings in watercolour and 3 in pencil and grey wash by Honoratius Marinier, whose portrait and that of his wife form one of the plates 'autographe de Marinier c.1790'.]
[Drawing of seventh key from Basil Valentine.]
f2 'Voici la vraye perfection. que je te montre dans cette Figure. Sous l'Embleme du Roi et de la Reine.'
[Figure of hermaphrodite from 'Rosarium Philosophorum' series (figure 17).]
[Series of 23 full page watercoloured symbolic figures. With text in French.]
f48r (p54) [Portraits of Honoratus Marinier and Christian Leniau his wife. Above is seen Hermes with caduceus. The portraits are set upon a plinth which has the following text inscribed 'Josepho Filio meo charissimo do. Dico supra delineatas Figuras Hermeticas, quibus facile intelliges magnum opus magisterii si timeas Deum, et semper orando, ac laborando. ne sis garrulus; sed pone ori tuo custodiam; sacramentum Regis abscondere bonum est. Precipuè a magnatibus; propter gloriam Dei Jesu Christi et libertatem tuam pretiosissimam vale et vive'.]
[Sections of text in French entitled 'Explication pratique' (with some phrases in Latin) is interspersed throughout these figures commenting upon the symbolism contained within them.]
2. f49-54 (p55-66) Miraculum naturale seu, Mysterium Enucleatum mysteriorum naturae, veris dictis hermeticis philosophorum electis, quibus recte ac perfecte, componi perficique poterit magicae-chemice lapis, seu medicina universalis.
[Text in Latin.]
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The new and curious Experiment of the perpetual Mineral of Sand, or What prepares the way of the History or Proposition made by the author to the Potent DD states of Holland about the Extraction of Gold with the materials of Shore Sand, with advantage, by means of Perpetual Mineral or Great Operation of Fusion. In place of a third Supplement to his subterraneous Physics or Natural Philosophy by John Joachim Becher MD, Counsel of the King's sacred Majesty 1680. Transcribed from the Manuscript by GJW. c.1802
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Index in Latin of seeds, fruits, stones, minerals. Dated at end 1737-8.
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Coronatio naturae, sive doctrina de summa medicina 67 hieroglyphicis explicata per anonymum. Quibus accesserunt totidem earum explicationes in usum filiorum artis summo studio elaboratae per Anonymum eundem Cabala. Natura naturans naturat omnia Naturatum, Sol numen, Productrix foetus mirabilitatis Franciscus Steuart'. 17th century.
Showing the separation and conjunction of the elements. Latin text accompanies the drawings of the 'Crowning of Nature' up to no. 41, 'Multiplicatio'.
For other copies see MSS Ferguson 8, 155, 208, 253.
Copy of advertisement from Morning Herald 24 November 1797 for a manuscript of this description, priced 200 gns, inserted between leaves i and ii, with fragments of printed original on verso of fol. ii: but cf. MS Ferguson 253. The name Franciscus Steuartus appears on fols i and ii. An inscription on the inside front cover relates to a journal of the 32nd year of reign of Queen Elizabeth i.e. 1590.
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Process for witchcraft before Johann Schmidt at Wurzburg against Hans Heinrich Pfeuffer... &c. 1617. [In German].
f1 Sambstag den 9 Septembris Anno 1617 ist durch den Ernuesten Hochgelerten Herrn Johann Valentin Schidts der Rechten doctor, Fürstlich Würtzburg. Raths, Im beÿsein des Vogteÿ verwalters, und Zehnthgrauen zu Gerolzhoven, dan beeder Zenthschöpffen, der Hanns Eÿerich Pfeüffer zu Eüerheimb, erstlich in der leng gütlich gehört; weil die guet aber nichts verfangen wöllen, gegen dem Verhafften Lorentz degen von Michtlau Confrontiert worden...
[Process in German for witchcraft before Johann Schmidt at Wurzburg against Hans Heinrich Pfeuffer and Lorenz von Michelant, with Pfeuffers answer to the charges 9 September 1617.]
[See also MS. Ferguson 247.]
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Document in German for legal proceedings for witchcraft dated 27th November 1616.
Similar to MS. Ferguson 246.
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Watercolour alchemical drawings, with text in Latin. XVIIth or early XVIIIth centuries.
f iir [In different hand from rest of MS.]: 'M: Joannes Corbiniany Es Keso Parochy in Abensperg 1725.'
f iiv [Coloured drawing of cross with four symbolic figures; dragon, angel, bird and wolf.]
f1r [Coloured drawing of various alchemical vessels.]
1. f1v-6 [Sequence of 14 small coloured drawings from the 'Petrus Bonus' series, which shows death and resurrection of the king of the metals. With Latin text.]
2. f6r-18r [Section with 7 + 4 chapters in German. A few small coloured drawings of apparatus etc. in margins.]
3. f18v Precatio Artificis ad Dei omnipotentis Maiestatem.
4. f19r Tabula Smaragdi.
5. f19r Ex quibus lapis Philosophorum conficitur.
6. f19v Incipit Tabula Scientia Maioris.
7. f20v-31 [11 fine watercolour drawings, on folios 20r, 22, 23r, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, from the 'Praetiosissimum Donum Dei' series, with text in Latin.]
8. f31v 'De opere Philosophiae Describit Marcellus Palingenius'.
9. f32 [Verse in German.]
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Notes on Genesis. [In German]. XVIIth century.
[Note on cover]: 'Possessor Huius Libri Est Christian Benjamin Kauffman.'
f1 [Pen drawing with hand of God emerging from a cloud bearing a flaming heart pierced with arrows, while below is seen a cubic plinth supporting a tower which is broken and falling down.]
f2r-26 [Numbered as pages 1-52 but with pages 46-49 missing. Series of questions and answers on Book of Genesis.]
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Les experimenta du Comte Digby 1st impre: chez Hartmann et Langius... Medicina Experimentalis Digbaeana. [In French]. XVIIth century.
Notes and receipts in French.
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Tractatus philosophiae hermeticae. 16th century. Phillipps MS. 9232.
Works of Ramon Lull in Latin and Italian.
1. f1 Distinctio Tertia quae est theorica operis maioris, et de alteratione et cura metallorum: et de magisterio in compositione eorum et medicina.
2. f87-92 Epistola accurtationis lapidis philosophorum Raymundi Lulii ad regem Robertum.
[See Ramon Lull 'De Secretis naturae, seu de quinta essentia liber unus, in tres distinctiones dividus... Adiecta est eiusdem epistola ad regem Robertum de accuratione lapidis philosophorum: cui adiunctus est tractatus de aquis...' Coloniae, 1567.]
3. f93-102 [Text in Italian in different hand.] L'ultimo Testamento di Raimondo Maioricam dedicato al Rè Carlo.
Manuscript title on back.
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Recuille [Recueil] de differentes pieces de segrets d'alchimy, et autres.' [In French]. XVIIth century.
Short extracts in French from various alchemical works, some in verse, including 'Parabolle de Glober', 'Dialogue en Vers de Chimon et Philon sur la foelicité ou infelicité de l'homme par Nuiseman', 'Le Chresthien des abusé Dumonde fait par Mr Fouquet', 'Aphorismes Basiliens ou Canons hermetiques, de L'Esprit et de l'ame, comme aussi du corps mitoyen du grand et petit monde'.
[f2 has pen drawing of circle with inscribed triangle, which bears within its frame a flask with sun, moon and mercury symbols.]
Same binding as MS. Ferguson 254.
Cover title.
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[Coronatio Naturae. English] Emblemata seu hieroglyphica chymica enigmatica. 17th century.
Chiefly illustrations, with English text accompanying the first two drawings, and an introduction. Drawings 1-40 are on single leaves and have titles; drawings 41-67 occur two to a page, except for the last, and have no titles. For other copies see MSS Ferguson 8, 155, 208, 245.
A note on the verso of the title page refers to an advertisement for a manuscript with this title in the Morning Herald of 24 November 1797, priced £200: but cf. MS Ferguson 245. Further notes on the same page identify handwriting of Ann Denby and of Alexander Tilloch.
f5 'This Ms was purchased by Dr A. Tilloch and the following Ms. additions are in his own writing.']
Bookplate of William Richard Winch.
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De la pierre philosophale. [In French]. XVIIth century.
1. f1 De la pierre Philosophale.
2. f6-8 Les couches de la pierre philosophale. [Incomplete, breaks off at foot of f8v.]
3. f9-20 [Unidentified fragment of alchemical treatise in French, begins in middle of Chapter 21.]
4. f21-22 [Table for converting different measures of weight.]
[Same binding as MS. Ferguson 252. See also MS. Ferguson 175.]
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Methodical Description of the Three Medicines of Geber, in which is contained the true confection of the Philosophers Stone. [In English]. Early XIXth century.
Author anonymous, but assuming the name of 'AEyrenaeus Philalethes by birth an English Man by residence a Cosmopolitan'.
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Book of receipts in German. 18th century.
Begins Scheidunge 4 und 1 . Im Fluss. Das scheÿde pulver mache also.
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The Chimists Key. The key to shut and to open or the true Doctrine of Corruption and Generation in ten Brief Aphorismes. Illustrated with most true and faithful Commentaries out of the pure Light of Nature, By that Judicious and Illustrious Artist Henery Nollius published by Eugenius Philalethes. [In English]. XVIIth century
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Lettera di M:R: nella quale si dimostra qual'sia la prima materia de Filosofi, quale la manipolatione, e quale il fuoco, e tutto chîaramente si proua con l'autoritá de medisimi Filosophi. [In Italian]. XVIIIth century.
f5v Parte I. Se ueramente ci sia quest'arte, e se sia stata appo gl' Antichi come si Legge.
f18 Parte Seconda. Quale sia la Materia de Filosofi.
f28v Parte III. Come si deua Operare, e manipolar e trouate che sia la debita materia.
f55v Parte IIII Del Fuoco de Filosofi.
In same hand as MS. Ferguson 275.
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Experiments or processes. [In Latin]. XVth century.
1. p1-7 Quid lapis est scitis flos eris et aurea vitis...
[205 lines of alchemical verse in Latin.]
p8 [Figures of the 12 signs and the planets.]
2. p9-12 Sequitur fixacio uzifur et aliorum spirituum. Recipe de calce viua...
3. p14-83 [Various recipes. Also on p66 are some lines of verse, see Singer No. 801.]
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Philosophical acquaforts alias philosophical aqua regis. [In English]. XVIIIth century.
Alchemical receipts in English.
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Alchemical receipts in Latin. XVIIth century.
[On outer back folio]: 'Collection de Recettes Medicales de Guillaum Rondeletti Docteur en Medicine, professeur et chancelier de Schole de Montepellier. Flanders 1561'.
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Copie tirée mot à mot, d'un Breviarie in 8vo en deux colomes; ecrit sur velin, de la propre main de Nicolas Flamel; en lettres de son temps, et d'une très belle ecriture. [In French]. XVIIth century.
[f1 has horoscope showing planets, signs and elements in the twelve houses.]
[The four folios at end have 26 well executed small symbolic figures in red, green, blue, silver and gold inks. These are numbered and referred to in the preceding text.]
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Tractatus de alchemia. [In Latin]. XVth century.
1. f1-37 Mineralia Alberti.
[Imperfect breaks off at foot of f 40v. See Albertus Magnus 'Opera', edited Borgnet, v. 1-103. ]
2. f37v-38 Dubium apud multos esse solet... saluatur enim virtus ipsorum. Explicit liber de commixcione elementorum Fratris Thome de Aquino. [See 'Opera', xvi (1869), 353.]
3. f38v-40v, and f57v [A]d prognosticandum diuersam aeris disposicionem futuram...
[Grosseteste [Sacrobosco], 'De impressionibus aeris'.]
4. f41-57r Quoniam quidem ars alchemica quamplures viros doctilogos videntibus oculis excauit...
5. f57v [Fragment of treatise on astronomy. Circular cosmos diagram divided into 12 sectors corresponding to the zodiacal signs, with seven concentric circles ascribed to the planets. At end: 'Explicit liber prognosticatones astronomices'.
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Alchymia vel chymica. Experimenta, &c. [In Latin]. XVIIIth Century.
Alchemical notes and recipes in Latin. There are references to Roger Bacon, Geber, Sendivogius, Ripley, Basil Valentine, etc.
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Oeuvre royalle. 1780.
1. f1 Oeuvre Royalle, de Charles VI, Roy de France.
[See, Charles VI 'Oeuvre Royalle', Paris, 1628.]
2. f8 Thresor de Philosophie ou original du Desire Desiré de Nicholas Flamel.
[See Nicholas Flamel 'Thresor de philosophe, ou originale du desir desiré', Paris, 1628.]
Dated on outer cover: 1780.
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Tractatus von dem Quadrirtem Circulo Physico das ist Vom Golde. [In German]. XVIth century.
[Begins]: 'Cap. I. Das Gold ist gleich einem von der Natur umbgeschriebenen vollkommenen Circul.'
[In German, divided into 12 chapters.
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Table Des Caractères Chimiques. [In French]. XIXth century.
Alphabetical index in French of substances etc., with alchemical symbols.
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The fountain of chymical philosophy. [In English]. XVIIth century.
1. f1-11r The Fountain of Chymical Philosophy. Written in Latine by Eyrenaeus Philalethes. Printed in the year 1694. Tract the 3rd the fountain of Chymical Philosophy.
2. 11r-12r The First Gate Concerning Philosophical Calcination. Not Printed in the Dutch Edition of Ripley.
3. 12r-12v In the Preface of the Fame & Confession of the Fraternity of R.C. by Eugenius Philalethus. [Incomplete fragment.]
[This MS. is written in two different hands.]
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F. Guilielmi Sedacini [Guilielmus Sedacerius] Ordinis fratrum S. Maria de Monte Carmeli. Liber totius artis Alchimiae electus, de medullis veracissimis, Aprobatorum Philosophorum & Alchimistarum. [In Latin]. XVIth century.
In two books.
See MS. Ferguson 153.
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Liber artis phisicae, &c. [In Latin]. XVIIth century.
Hic liber artis Phisicae, vel scientiae maioris, vel de compo[sitio]ne alchimiae et quid sive Alchimia, vel preciossissimum Dei Donum intitulatis est in primo incipit Proemium.
Between folios 17-33 there are 12 rough pen drawings of the 'Praetiosissimum Donum Dei' series.
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20 watercolour alchemical figures with explications in French. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
In two series 1-14, and 1-6. The work is incomplete having lost the outer folios. Thus the explication of the first figure is missing, and the figure corresponding to the seventh figure of the second series is also missing.
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Notes in English on marsh fever in England in men and sheep. XIXth century
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Extractae de Aristotelis alchemiste ad Alexandrum Magnum ex. The. Chem. impresso Argentorati. 1622. [In Latin]. XVIIth century.
1. f1 Ex tractatu Aristotelis Alchymiste ad Alexandrum Magnum ex. The: Chem: impresso Argentorati 1622.
[See 'Aristoteles. Tractatus ad Alexandrum Magnum, De lapide Philosophico' in 'Theatrum Chemicum', Vol.V p. 787, Argentorati, 1660.]
2. 4v Ex Rosario philosophorum. Artis Auriferae, impresso Basiliae 1610. vol 2.
3. f18 Ex libro Arnaldi de Villa Nova dicto Thesaurus thesaurorum et Rosarium Philosophorum.
4. f22v Ex eiusdem Arnaldi, libro dicto Novum Lumen.
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Vegetani [?] On Vegetation. [In English]. XVIIIth century.
Series of recipes in English for applying alchemical methods to agriculture, to make barren land fruitful.
See MS. Ferguson 322 Item 8, which is in same hand.
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Dichiaraquione delle figure heroglifiche fatte metèrè da Niciolo Fiammelli nel Cimitero degli l'Innocenti sotto il portico dalla parte desta della porta grande S. Dionisio. [In Italian]. XVIth century.
In same hand as MS. Ferguson 258.
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Works of Michael Sendivogius, the Cosmopolite, in French. [In French]. XVIIth century.
1. f1-22 Les Douze tractez de [...] nouvelle lumiere souls le nom [...]
2. f23-30 Traitez du Soufre Second prinscipe de la nature.
3. f31-63r Dialogue du mercure de l'alchimiste et de la nature.
4. 63r-64 Enigme filosophique du mesme auteur aus fils de la veritez.
5. f65-113 Les lettres du Cosmopolite. Premiere lettre a Mr T**** nouvell associer de la Compagnie des filosophes inconniis.
6. f114-137 Le Cosmopolite. Traitez du sel troisieme principe des choses minerales.
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Table alphabétique et Supplémentaire à celle qui se trouve àla fin du 1me tome de l'ouvrage dit. La Magie ou la philosophe occulte de Henri Corn: Agrippa counseillier et historiographe de L'Empereur Charles V. Divisée en trois livres et traduite du latin. Imprimé à la Haye chez R. Chr: Alberts en 1727. Redigeè et driffeé en avril 1818.
A dictionary of occult philosophy in French.
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Q.T.O.B.V. Collegii Ethici explicatorio-examinatorio disputatorii. [In Latin]. XVIIth century.
500 theses in Latin on ethics.
Dated on cover: anno 1675.
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Experimental Examination of a white, ponderous Metallic Substance, said to be found in the Gold Mines of the Spanish West Indies, and there known by the appellations Platina, latina de pinto, & Juan blanco. By William Lewis M.B., F.R.S. Read at different Meetings of the Royal Society in the year 1754.
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Locus de Sacra Scriptura. [In Greek and Hebrew.] XVIIth century.
Notes under 10 headings - 'De sacra Scriptura', 'De Deo', 'De Christo', 'De Spiritu Sancto', 'De Creatione', 'De Angelis', 'De Imagine Dei', 'De Providentia Dei', 'De Peccato' - in German, Greek and Hebrew with some marginal notes in Latin, from the New Testament.
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George Ripleys practice upon the Stone by Experience. [In English]. XVIIIth century
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George Ripley : Notes on his twelve gates. The vision. [In English]. XVIIIth century.
1. f1-8v Sir George Ripley in his first gate page 158. [Fragment only.]
2. f8v-13 Sir George Ripleys Vision.
This appears to consist of the final signature of a larger volume, the first part of which is lost.
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Recipes in French with some sections in Latin. XVIth century
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Discours intéressants sur les Sciences abstraites a Remarques curieuses Par M [...] auteur de plusieurs Excellens ouvrages, tant ou cette partie, que suo d'autres des sciences occultes. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
...Enriche d'un grand numbre d'annotationes curieuses, par Salomon Gaurie eleve et successeur de Maitre Matthieu Laensberg, en termes suivant.
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Cayer contenant l'operation alchimique sur la maniere de faire l'oeuvre philosophalle celon tous les auteurs. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
Folios 17 and 18r have drawings of alchemical apparatus.
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Annotations extraites du livre des Acides et Alkalys du Sr de St André med. a Caen. [In French]. XVIIth century
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Medicina ex Antimonio. [In German]. XVIIIth century.
Begins: 'Recipe 10 lot Antimonii ungerischen, den resoluire...'
Medical Receipts in German.
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[Le sieurs Angot?] : Le texte de l'alchimie. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
1. f2-13 Premiere parte. Le texte de l'alchimie.
f14-27 Seconde parte. Le texte de l'alchimie.
f28-54 Troisieme parte. Le texte de l'alchimie.
f55-58 [Blank.]
f59 [List of titles of following section.]
2. f60-69 Mercure des sages.
3. f70-91 Trois Mercures Philosophiques.
[Dated on folios 13 and 27]: 'par le Sr Angot Medicine a Paris en 1694.'
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Diverse notes prises dans les ouvrages cités ci apres. [List of works as detailed below.] [In French]. XVIIIth century.
1. f2-8 Tableau contenant les divers térmes d'alchimie dont se sont servis les philosophes dans leurs écrits sur les quels differents termes sont réunis les sentimens de ceux sur les ouvrages des quels jài fait les nottes contenues dans ce cayer, les quelles se trouvent ici en abrégé. [List of alchemical with references to different authors works summarised in the folios following.]
2. f9-19 Notes sur le livre intitulé arcana arcanissima hoc est hieroglyphica aegiptio graecea vulgo nec dum cognita etc. Autore Michaëlo Maiero.
3. f19-21 Nottes sur le téstament d'hadrien Mynsicht.
4. f22-25 Notes sur un livre quia Letre Epistola Joannis Pontani Summi philosophi.
5. f25 Notes sur le livre qui a pour Titre Artephii clavis majoris sapientiae.
6. f26 Notes faites sur le livre quia Titre arcana Philippi Theophrasti Paracelsi.
7. f26v-29 Notes sur le traité intitulé flos florum d'Arnauldt de Villeneuve.
8. f30-34 Notes sur le livre intitulé histoire de la philosophie hérmétique par l'abbé Langlet du Fresnoy.
9. f34v-35 Joannis Friderici Helvetii vitulus aureus.
10. f35-37r Le Paradis Terrestre... par le R.P. Gabriel de Castagne.
11. f37v-43 La Toison d'or, ou la fleur des trésors par Salomon Trismosin précéptor de Paracelse. Paris 1613.
12. f43-45 Notes sur le livre intitulé Lucerna Salis philosophorum Sendivogii.
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Specimens of Romaic poetry, with translation. [Copy of printed book?]. c.1858.
In modern Greek with English translation on facing page.
piii-xii Preface containing Observations on music.
Copy of printed book circa 1850.
Access is open, however an appointment may be required. Please email Archives and Special Collections for advice: library-asc@glasgow.ac.uk
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Recueil des secrets. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
Two frasgments.
Recipes in French. Second part incomplete at beginning.
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Incipit liber intitulatus praetiosissimum donum Dei. [In Latin, with translation into French]. XVIth-XVIIth centuries.
[At end]: 'Sin finis libri qui intitulatur praetiosisimum donum dei script per georgium Anrach de argentina, & etiam depicta propriis manibus sub anno Domini 1473.'
[Does not the contain figures of the 'Donum Dei' series.]
Probably purchased by John Ferguson from Wilfrid M. Voysich, 1909.
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Cy commance le livre Du presieux don de Dieu. 17th century.
Incomplete breaks off at chapter 16.
Probably purchased by John Ferguson from Wilfrid M. Voysich, 1909.
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L'An MDI la Clavicule De la Science d'Hermes, écrite par Heliae artistae, Habitant du Nord, [de la Ville du Soleil.] L'An MDCCCXXXIII. Revue par Vital-Chaussegros, en la Ville de la Lune ce 2 Novembre MDCCCXXXIII. 1833. [In French].
'Histoire de la Philosophie ou l'Art de Dieu, Theosophes.'
1. p1-53 Histoire de la Philosophie ou L'Art de Dieu. Theosophes.'
[At end]: 'ce 2 Novembre 1837, au [...] de la Rue de J-Larlay V. Chaussegros.'
2. p54-60 Advertisement aux Lecteur.
3. p62-64 Arcanum Mercurii Vitae
4. p43-50 [Gives short history of 'Rose-Croix et Theosophes'.]
[On inside cover a section headed 'La societe des Rose-Croix' gives elaborate anagram based on the date 1638.]
Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal label on front with '69. La Theosophie ou la Science de Dieu tres bon.' Other MSS. in similar wrappers are MS Ferguson 294, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 307, 312, 327, 331 and 332.
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Extracts in Latin from Helbigius Philalethe and others. XVIIth century.
1. f1-5 Ad majorem dei gloriam.
2. f6-7 Quaestionis secundae responsia vidi Helbigii.
3. f7r-8 Judicium D. Helbigii de philalethae introitu ad apertum regis palatium et de pantaleone.
4. f8-10 Quidam aphorismi Basiliani sive canones hermetici de spiritu, anima et corpore majoris et minoris Mundi.
[Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal label on front with 'No 33'. Other MSS. in the same wrappers are 293, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 307, 312, 327, 331 and 332.]
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Epitre de St Paul aux Romains... Corps de l'arbre de Salle... &c. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
1. f1-13 Epitre de St Paul aux Romans. [Extracts.]
2. f13r-15 [Recipes.]
3. f15v-18 Corps de l'arbre de soleil.
4. f19-22 Operation de la Lumiere.
5. f23-24 Feu de la seconde operation.
[In reverse from end of MS.]
6. f34-27 [Recipes.]
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Recueil de... secrets tres utiles et tres rares... [In French]. XVIIIth century.
1. f1-4 [Incomplete work begins at chapter 6. See MS. Ferguson 302 for first section.] Chapitre VI. de maniere de convertir le vil argent commun en or et en argent.
2. f5-15 Abregé de toute la philosophie demonstrative touchant le antimoine. Troisieme parte.
3. f17-27 Recueil de plusieurs Secrets tres utiles et tres rares ceux qui font profession de la Medicine et de la chirurgie.
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Flos coeli on la medicine universelle. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal label on front with 'No 71'. Other MSS. in the same wrappers are 293, 294, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 307, 312, 327, 331 and 332.
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Traite d'un philosophe inconnu. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
1. f1-4 [Receipts and notes.]
[At foot of f2]: 'Pernetty dans son Dictionaire p. 151.'
f5-8 [Blank.]
2. f9-12 Recette dun Amalgame excellent pour l'Electricite.
Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal label on front with 'No 1'. Other MSS. in the same wrappers are 293, 294, 297, 299, 300, 301, 302, 307, 312, 327, 331 and 332.
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Plusieurs recettes de valeur. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
f1 Procedé sur l' [Alchemical sign for Regulus of Mars.]
f1v Procedé pour tirer l'eau du Microcosme.
f2 Pour faire le Seubac Verd.
f2v Procedé pour racomoder le vina[igr]e.
f3-4 [Blank.]
[Single folio inserted in volume entitled 'experiences d'un sel doux tiré de matieres fort acres'. Begins 'Mr Boyle, dans son livre de formarun origine'.]
Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal label on front with 'No 20'. Other MSS. in the same wrappers are 293, 294, 297, 298, 300, 301, 302, 307, 312, 327, 331 and 332.
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A variety of useful and extraordinary receipts taken from the works of the philosopher called 'Plaris Campi.' [In French]. XVIIIth century.
David de Planis Campy (1589-1644). A number of his works were published in Paris between 1629 and 1646.]
Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal label on front with 'No 122'. Other MSS. in the same wrappers are 293, 294, 297, 298, 299, 301, 302, 307, 312, 327, 331 and 332.
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The 9th Treatise of Starkey, or attributed to him. [In French]. XVIIIth century.
Neuvieme Traité. Contenant toutes les opérationes qui se font sur le [Alchemical symbol] qui est le 3eme sel de nature, on plutot le 3eme corps dans lequel l'esprit universel se détermine à la métallique.
[51 articles with many alchemical receipts.]
Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal label on front with 'No 118'. Other MSS. in the same wrappers are 293, 294, 297, 298, 299, 300, 302, 307, 312, 327, 331 and 332.
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Urbigerus, 'Traites sur toute le Philosophie demonstrative' 1694. ?XVIIIth century transcript.
f2-3 [Dedication beginning ]: 'Tu Serenissime Monseigneur Jean Guillaume Comte Palatin du Rhin'.
f3 [At bottom]: 'Le Baron d'Urbigerus, Dusseldorf le 4 Mais 1694'.
f4-6 [Blank.]
f7-18 Abregé de toute la Philosophie Demonstrative Particulaire. Seconde partie. [Another part of this manuscript copy is found in MS. Ferguson 295].
Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal label on front with 'No 2' and on f1 labelled 'No 26'. Other MSS. in the same wrappers are 293, 294, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 307, 312, 327, 331 and 332.
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The revolt of the daughters. By 'Pterodactyl.' 1894. [In English.]
Signed at end: 'Pterodactyl'.
Essay on position of women in society.
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Arnold de Villanova : Flos florum : thesaurus omnium imcomparabilis ac Margarita... [In Latin]. XVIIth century.
1. f1-16 Arnaldi Villanovani Magisterium et Gaudium, ad Inclytum Regem Aragonum quod quidem est Flos Florum, Thesaurus omnium incomparabilis et Margarita, in quo reperitur veri compositio, et perfectio elixir, tam ad album, quod ad rubeum componendum, videlicet ad solem et lunam sub compendio declaratum.
2. f17-19 Ex Morieno Basiliae 1572.
[Notes with references to chapters of printed book, probably 'Auriferae Artis', Basel 1572.]
3. f20-22 Ex libro secretor. Calid.
[Notes.]
4. f23 Ex Rosario Arnaldi de proiectione cap: 31. pag: 296.
Notes.
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MSS Ancient astronomy.
Folder containing three 18th century documents in the hand of Ebenezer Sibly.
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Oriental Science or Elementary Philosophy demonstrated by Claudius Ptolemy. With the Notes and Observations of Proclus, Melancthon, methodized and arranged by Ebenezar Sibly, M.D. 1795.
Claudius Ptolomy together with the Arabian authors or the Doctrine of Nativities arranged by Andrew Argol Professor of the Mathematical Sciences in the Patavincian Patavinum Lyceum under the auspices of the most illustrious Knightly order of Senators. To which is added the calculation of the nativity of E. Sibly according to the canons of Placidus de Titus 1795. [Incomplete and the nativity is not included.]
[Dated on folio 3]: 'began to write Preface Saturday Nov 14: 1795. 8.30 P.M.'
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Astronomy and astrology according to M. Manilius. 18th century.
[In the hand of Ebenezer Sibly.]
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Philadelphia or Brotherly Love. By Eyreneus Philoctetes, Printed 1694. An Extract with Notes in Manuscript.
f1 Crumbs gathered as they fell from the Hermetic Table at Sophia's Feast in the Palace of the King, by Ebenezar Sibly M.D.
[In the hand of Ebenezar Sibly.]
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22 full page crudely executed line drawings of alchemical process with labels and short pieces of text in Latin. XVIIIth century.
This is a version of the 'Vallis Novi' series of symbols. Another copy of this work is in MS. Ferguson 333, which is however of much finer execution, has a more complete text, and the images are in a different order.
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Des quatres operations de l'oeuvre par Dryathés.
In French. XVIIth century.
Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal label on front: No 27.
Other MSS. in similar wrappers are 293, 294, 297, 298,299, 300, 301, 302, 312, 327, 331 and 332.
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Le traité de Philalethes. Les 7 Regimes du l'oeuvre. De premier Regime de l'oeuvre qui est Celuy du Mercure Philosophique. 18th century.
Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal label on front: No 112.
Other MSS. in similar wrappers are 293, 294, 297, 298,299, 300, 301, 302, 312, 327, 331 and 332.
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Diverses operations du Livre de la Nature. 18th century.
Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal label on front: No 31.
Other MSS. in similar wrappers are 293, 294, 297, 298,299, 300, 301, 302, 312, 327, 331 and 332.
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Ex libro Vade Mecum de Numero philosophorum sive Clavicula, Testamenti, aut Codicillus Magistri Raimundi Lullii ad Adoardum [Edward] Regem Angliae. [In Latin]. XVIIth century.
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Ad notationes decerpte, ex libro Lucerna Salis Philosophorum. 17th century.
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Ex Arcana Hermetice Philosophie Opus Auctoris Anonymi. Penes nos unda Tagi [i.e. Jean d'Espagnet].
[Notes from some of the sections of Jean d'Espagnet, 'Arcanum Hermeticae Philosophae Opus', 1638.]
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Panacea Opt[ ] Herculeum Arcanum. [In English]. XVIIIth century.
145 Medical and alchemical receipts in English, together with a list of remedies.
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On astrology and other topics. Imperfect. [In English]. XVIIIth century.
1. f1-15 [Imperfect treatise on Astrological medicine. Begins on a page numbered 63 '...with cold humours. But particularly they who are described by human figures, whether they consist of those in the Zodiac...']
2. f16-39 The 4th Book of Ptolemy.
This is in the handwriting of Ebenezar Sibly. Dated at end 'Sunday Oct 25 1795'.
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Dr Bacstrom's Annotations on a MS. in folio entitled Alchimy, etc. XIXth century.
Translation of an old manuscript scrap in Latin, without name or date. Translated Jan 19. 1807.
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Explication of the Drawing. [Which is not included in this MS.] 19th century.
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Process von T. Grosman. [In German.] 19th century.
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A Particular Labour communicated to S.M. Belisario by the Jerusalem Rabby Isaac Calvo, and which was communicated to Calvo by a Rabby at Constantinople. The process was written in good old hebrew with points.
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Alchemical extracts. 19th century.
f1 Crocus Metallorum Rulandi ex 3. Bate's Dispensatory by Salmon. p.422.
f2-12 Annotations or Remarks on some good processes contained in a large folio Ms. whose Title is Alchemy.
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Unidentified alchemical tract in French, possibly an extract from a work of Basil Valentine. [In French]. Imperfect. XVIIIth century.
The notebooks are described on the outer thin paper cover as Nos. 1-5 'of some great work', however the work is incomplete at the beginning, and the original numbering 2-7 is on the top left of the first folio of each notebook. Notebook 3 contains as a second signature a section out of sequence numbered '7'.]
[The text begins someway into chapter 1 of the work, with 'La Seconde Clef mais remarque mon amy et prend cette chose a coeur comme tres importante...']
[On f11 of the second notebook a new section opens with 'Quatrieme partié du testament du frere Bazil Valentin de l'ordre dun Benoit...']
Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal labels numbered 54-58 on front. Other MSS. in the same wrappers are 293, 294, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 307, 327, 331 and 332.
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List of rare books on witchcraft, etc, drawn up by Miss Millard, a bookseller. c.1880.
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Notes from various alchemical works by Sigismund Bacstrom. Mostly in German but some in English.. XVIIIth century.
One of 6 similarly bound volumes.
Notes from the following works]: Ettmuller/ Hamburger (1686)/ Bate's Dispensory/ Brandende salamander/ G. Rothe Chymie/ Digby's physical receipts [in English]/ Kerkringius/ Kesler's Chym: processe/ Basilius (1694)/ Zimara/ Curiöses Laboratorium process.
See Lancilotti, 'Carlo De brandende salamander, ofte ontleedinge der chymicale stoffen...', Amsterdam, 1680, which was issued in German in the following year with the title 'Der brennende Salamander, oder Zerlegung, der zu der Chimie gehörigen Materien...', Frankfurt, 1681.
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Notes from various alchemical works by Sigismund Bacstrom. Mostly in German but some in English. XVIIIth century.
One of 6 similarly bound volumes.
Notes from the following works: Hodogeticus chymicus [...]Poppium/ Alexander von Suchten mysteria [Antimony] 1613/ Dr French Arts of Distillation/ Monte Snyder.
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Notes from various alchemical works by Sigismund Bacstrom. In German. XVIIIth century.
One of 6 similarly bound volumes.
Notes from the following works]: Urbigerus/ Becheri Chym: Concordante/ Hamburger/ Mariae Prophetissae Practica cum lapide dulci/ Experimenta/ Experimente Becker/ Experimente Hepar [Sulphur] / De la Brie/ Ludus Puerorum Arnaldo de Villa Nova.
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Notes from various alchemical works by Sigismund Bacstrom. In German. XVIIIth century.
One of 6 similarly bound volumes.
Notes from the following works]: Experimenta [Copper] [ ] Borax und [Silver]1 D. Beuther/ Phoebus und Python/ Eschenreuters processe in Basilii Valentine/ Glauber/ Le Febure/ Corallen Tinctur/ Hadriani Mynsicht/ Pyrophorus Glauber/ Z.V. Wiedenbruck Combach.
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Notes from various alchemical works by Sigismund Bacstrom. Mostly in English but some in German.. XVIIIth century.
One of 6 similarly bound volumes.
Notes from the following works: Basilii Valentini/ Some good hints from a book called Jehor or the day dawning/ De la Brie process/ Baron de Tabor process upon Antimony/ Nebuchadnezar/ The spiritual sense of Hadamah by S.B./ King Hiram's Ship explained by J.B./ Ali-Puli on the regenerated salt of Nature/ Pyrophoros of Mr Jones/ Isaac Calvo/ Monte Raphaim.
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Notes from various alchemical works by Sigismund Bacstrom. In German and English.. XVIIIth century.
One of 6 similarly bound volumes.
Notes from the following works: Dialogue et procedé de Mons De La Brie/ De Cygno philosophico/ T. Hausens processe/ Wolframs process [Antimon]ii/ Medicinalia Vatia/ Abracad:/ Weigenknecht process/ Lutum for a furnace/ Cements for broken Glasses.
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Paracelsica.
A series of 23 uniform notebooks of Eduard Schubert consisting of bibliographical notes on Paracelus together with extracts from some works of Paracelsus and related alchemical material. Mostly in German but some sections in Latin. In German. XIXth century.
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Notebook of Eduard Schubert. 1880. In German.
List of books relevant to a study of Paracelsus in the Bibliothequé Imperialé and other libraries, together with other bibliographical notes on Paracelsus.
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Notebook of Eduard Schubert. XIXth century.
Bibliographical notes on Paracelsus and other alchemical writers. In German.
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Notebook of Eduard Schubert. XIXth century.
Bibliographical notes on Paracelsus and other alchemical writers. In German.
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Vocabulary of Romany words collected from various books. By John Purves. 1859.
A Romany to English dictionary with references to the sources from which these were taken.
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Treatise on alchemy, philosophers stone, etc. [In Latin]. Prob. written in Germany. XVIIIth century.
1. f1-29 [Imperfect at beginning, the first signature seems to be missing. Begins in middle of chapter 4 and continues to end at Chapter 10. Unidentified text in German but with Chapter headings in Latin.]
Ch V 'Quid sit proprie Quinta Essentia'.
Ch VI De Igne Philosophico seu Menstruo solvente aut liquore nostro Alkahest.
Ch VII An Menstruum solvens sit corrosivum.
Ch VIII De Practica Lapidis.
Ch IX De augmentatione Lapidis Benedicti.
Ch X De Usu Lapidis Medico interno e externo.
2. f30-45 Das Grab der Semiramidis hermetisch versielgelt... Erstlich Anno 1674...
[10 chapters in German with Latin chapter headings. See D, H.V. 'Tumba Semiramidis hermeticè sigillata', 1674. Also, D, H.V. 'The Tomb of Semiramis hermetically sealed', London, n.d.]
f45-48 [Blank.]
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Bundle of bibliographical and biographical notes on Paracelsus, together with some of Dr Eduard Schubert's correspondence with bookdealers, etc. In German.
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Printed pages 82-194 from the British Museum catalogue of printed books, with the entries under Bombastus von Hohenheim... called Paracelsus, annotated with marginal notes.
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Paracelsica.
Notebook with notes by Eduard Schubert on Paracelsus. In German.
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Bundle of papers in leather pouch constituting bibliographic and biographical notes on Paracelsus. In German and Latin.
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Notes on alchemy, with some extracts from treatises. In English, German, some French.
There is a piece by Bacstrom here, which seems to relate to the contents of MS. Ferguson 22.
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Catalogue of Titles of Alchemical and Hermetic books mainly from Paracelsus. These would seem to be the record cards of Dr Schubert's Library.
Dr Eduard Schubert (1822-1892) assembled the most complete collection ever formed of the writings of Paracelsus. After his death his Library was sold in 1893 in London. Ferguson seems to have acquired many of the items including Schubert's own research notes. See 'Bibliography of the Paracelsus Library of the Late E. Schubert M.D. ... to be sold by William Wesley & Son...', London, 1893.
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Correspondence and newspaper cuttings on Egyptian archaeological excavations in 1877-78, involving Dr F. Mook, Dr W. Reil. In English and French.]
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Experimenta von der Vorbereitung des Mercurii der Weisen zum Stein durch denn Regulum Martis Antimoniatum et Lunam. [In German.] 18th Century.
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Vademecum Philosophicum. [In German.] 18th Century.
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Aureus Ignis ex quo Perennis vitae et necis emicat Lampas. Lebens und Thodes Leuchte. [In German.] 18th Century.
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f1-13 Gott und Warheit liebendes Seelen gemischte.
f14-27 Gott ergebener Jesus liebender, und Christlicher Weissheit begieriger.
7 small circular drawings 35mm in diameter on vellum tipped into the text. In German. 18th Century.
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Testamentum Cremeri Abbatis Westmonasteriensis Angli, Ordinis Benedicti. D. Michaelis Mayeri... Authorem... [In German.] 18th Century.
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Translation into German of extracts from Heinrich Khunrath, 'Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae', Hanoviae, 1609.] 19th Century.
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Sonderbarer Anhang bey dem Probier Stein der güldenen Natur... Setrimonte communiciert Johann-August. [In German.] 18th Century.
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Recipes, notes and extracts in German from unidentified alchemical works. In disbound folios and on small scraps of paper. 18th Century.
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Translation into German of Michael Maier, 'Atalanta fugiens', Oppenheimii 1617, 1618. This translation does not include the musical scores, nor copies of the emblems from the printed book, though a space is left in the text for the emblems.
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Series of recipes and extracts from unidentified work on alchemy. In German. 18th Century.
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Notes and unidentified extracts in German from alchemical works. Disbound signatures and individual sheets. 18th Century.
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Collection of material, primarily alchemical notes and recipes.
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Collectanea chemica et alchemica. In Italian.
f1-4 Observatio in Marchasitas.
f5-6 Liber de Alchemia.
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Praxis Miscellanea Chemicae Romae. [In Latin.]
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A Curious Collection of Receipts. [In English.] 17th Century.
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Alchemical notebook in English of experiments conducted during the period December 4th, 1687 till December 7th 1689. Much of this involves notes on hints given the writer by Sir Joseph *** of Loughton. Apart from the diary entries there are other notes on alchemical experiments.] 17th Century.
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Anno 1667 den 1 Maij H:Brig: R:Vogt. [Receipts.] 17th Century. In German.
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Alchemical notes in Latin. De sale. De Elixir. De Materia Solvenda. 17th Century.
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Alchemical recipes in French.
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50 numbered paragraphs of notes in English on alchemical substances and recipes. See MS. Ferguson 274 which is in same hand. 17th Century.
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Alchemical notes.
At top of f1. 'P. Saunders 1606'.
f1 Anima Saturni. [Recipes in Latin.]
f1v-f3r Ex libro secretorum de la signora Isabella Cortese.
[In Italian.]
f3r-3v Ex quodae Libro manuscripto ubi est etiam tractatus Nicolas comitis et aliorum. [Alchemical Notes in Latin.]
f4-13 Ex Libro manuscripto ubi erat Medulla Riplaii, et commentarius in Hermetem et Aristotelis, et alia.
[At end] : 'Soli Deo omnis honor, laus, & Gloria, nunc et in omne aevum, Amen, 1572, January 26'.
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Alchemical notes in English. One folio is dated at top 'Tuesday Novr. 1st. 1808'.
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MS fragments used as wrapper for the other material listed under MS Ferguson 322. Identified as parts of a fourteenth century theological treatise (includes annotations to the text).
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Raimundus Lullius : The distillation of the alphabet. [In English]. XVIIth century.
1. f1 [Receipts for bruised blood, sores, etc.]
f1v [Diagram of 'arbor radicis elementalis'.]
2. f2 The first distinction of the letters of the alphabeta of Raymond Lullye.
3. f5 [Alchemical verses.]
[Begins]: 'Coitus: There is a well in slyme
whose serpent is hyd therein'
[At end f12]: 'The End of the Theoricke'.
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Five large symbolic drawings in watercolour. 19th century.
[Figure 1. Green Lion devouring Sun. In ornate yellow gold circular frame.]
[Figure 2. Severed hand with sigils of planetary archangels on the fingers and palm. Ornate frame not completed but sketched in pencil.]
[Figure 3. Male and female being wedded by Mercurius-Bishop, as in the sixth of Basil Valentine's Twelve Keys. Ornate frame not completed.]
[Figure 4. Death in form of skeleton, with target in background, and corpse and crow, with skulls labelled Salt, Sulphur, Mercury. Moon eclipsing Sun in the heavens. In ornate frame Echoes the symbolism of the eighth of Basil Valentine's Twelve Keys.]
[Figure 5. Man standing in form of pentacle, bearing symbols for Mars, Venus, Saturn and Jupiter on the limbs, which have the corresponding planetary colours. The figure, who is crowned also stands on the Sun and Moon, and has Mercury symbol in many colours, crowned and on a disc, at his navel. Two fumes come from his mouth one labelled Salt the other Sulphur.]
[Formerly accessioned as 2277]
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La Livre hermetique ou l'harmonie des philosophes. 17th century.
768 numbered lines of French verse.
At end: 'Sur un traité de l'oeuvre hermetique qui correspond aux susdits 768 vers et dessus intitule testament Solaire qui ma esté envoye de Leyden parun amy de coeur le 4 Septembre 1736 qu'on [...] estre fait par paracelse mais auparaument il sera mis icy le veau d'or de Mr Helvecieux qui y correspond.'
f1r [Layout of alchemical symbols under the title 'Agence hermetiques', consisting of some printed engravings of retorts pasted down on the folio together with pen drawings of the symbols of the four elements, Mercury and the seven planets set in a hexagram within the circle of the zodiac signs.]
[Formerly accessioned as 2278]
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Solidonius Dominator Elementorum Autor rarissimus et excellentissimus. Cet Auteur est entier et il est tres rares. 18th century.
Ce qui est en quelques endroits de ce livre figure de caracteres non communs, est un chiffre qui a esté de chiffré par un amy et de puis transcrit au net avec l'alphabet mis a la fin du livre sur la copie de M Prudhomme.
[Latin and French translation in parallel.]
[18 full page watercolour drawings in the text.]
[Formerly accessioned as 2279]
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Short description of three manuscripts, together with detailed description over 3 folios of a fourth manuscript. No sources are given for these manuscripts. 18th/19th Century. In French.
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Transmutation. A diary of operations made in 1752.
1. f1-2 [Notes.]
[On f1.] 'A Mr Gerome Castelnove a la Tete Noire a Lauderman'.
2. f3-18 [Alchemical Journal in French covering the period 11th June 1752 to 20th September 1752. With 31 small pen drawings of alchemical apparatus, flasks, furnaces etc in margins.]
[Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal labels on front. Other MSS. in the same wrappers are 293, 294, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 307, 312, 331, and 332.]
[On cover]: 'No 119 a very fine MS in which the whole process of transmutation is given at length with drawings of all the instruments used.'
3. f18-28 Recette des remedes de M Jeanne Stephena pour Guereu la prere la gravelle.
[Formerly accessioned as 2280]
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Dialogue de l'art Chimique Chrysophile Theophraste. 18th century.
In same hand and format as MS. Ferguson 329 and 330.
[Formerly accessioned as 2281]
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Discourze. Dans le quel on fait connoitre que La Chimie est veritablement une science tres certainne et solide, et que les remedes quon emprunte d'elle sont parconsequent tres assures dans lequel on refute et condamne le sentiment de ceux qui les des aprouvement. 18th century.
In same hand and format as MS. Ferguson 328 and 330.
[Formerly accessioned as 2282]
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Le Miroir d'Alchimie du tres docte Roger Bacon. 18th century.
In same hand and format as MS. Ferguson 328 and 329.
[There is an early printed French translation of 'Le Miroir d'alquimie... traduict... par un gentilhomme du Dauphiné, le Guillaume Rabot', Lyon 1557.]
[Formerly accessioned as 2283]
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Le dragon. MS sur transmutation. 18th century.
[On cover]: 'French Manuscript intitled 'The Dragon' choice recueil of the Philosophers, on Transmutation.'
1. f1 Discours Préliminaire.
2. f4 Suit La Concordance... Lauthour hebreu qui a pour libre la maison de Melkissadech.
3. f9 Concordance Phisico-Mitho-Cabalo-hermetique.
4. f15 Analise du mercure mithologiste.
5. f17 Texte d'Emeraude d'Hermé Trismegiste.
6. f18 Interprétation La table d'Emeraude. qui Est une pierre Verte. [Hortulanus?]
[Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal labels on front, numbered '86'. Other MSS. in the same wrappers are 293, 294, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 307, 312, 327 and 332.]
[Formerly accessioned as 2284]
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Le Texte d'alchimie et le Songe verd a Parise Chez laurent D'Houry rue Saint Jacques devant La fontaine St Severin au St Esprit. 1695. avec privilege du Roy. 18th century.
[On cover]: 'Le texte d'Alchymie et 'le Songe Vert' a Paris 1695. A very beautiful manuscript, entitled the Text of Alchemy et 'the Green Dream' in which the secrets of nature are unfolded.'
[Bound in paper wrappers with octagonal labels on front, numbered '102'. Other MSS. in the same wrappers are 293, 294, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 307, 312, 327 and 331.]
[Octagonal label no '102'.]
[f1 has pen drawing in an upright rectangle. A Mercury symbol is set within a triangle, which is circumscribed by a circle set in a square. Above this are interlaced triangles with a sun disc bearing a face. Some short phrases in Latin. This is possibly a rough copy of a title page or frontispiece illustration from the printed edition from which this manuscript is copied.]
[Formerly accessioned as 2285]
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Alchemical treatises (in five sections) 16th century.
[Formerly accessioned as 2286]
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26 full page pen drawings of 'Vallis Novi' series. In Latin with some Italian. 18th Century.
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Contradictoria Disceptatio in indigatione Hermetici Magistrii per Episolas inter Pamphilum et Pancratium ut sine [inv]idia Deteguntur aperte Materia et Ignis Sine Istum Arcanum ab Anonymus Auctore in Lucem...[in various sections and different hands.] In Latin and Italian. 18th Century.
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Processus contra Examen Alchimisticum. In Latin with a short section in Italian. 18th Century.
f1 Falx in Bifolium. Processus contra Examen Alchimisticum. Tumulatio Tumuli Hermetici Pantaleonis ab Anonimo Auctore edita in comodum Filiorum Artis ut Caveant ab eiusdem iactabundi Pantaleonis interpellatis erroribus et imposturis.
[See Pantaleon 'Bifolium Metallicum' in Manget, 'Bibliotheca Chemica Curiosa' 1702, Vol II, p718, 'Examen Alchimisticum', op. cit. Vol II, p736, and Noribergae, 1676, 'Disceptatio de lapide physico, in qua Tumbam Semiramidis', op. cit. Vol II. p744.]
f11-12 [Two tables analysing some alchemical terms.]
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Notes and extracts from various unidentified alchemical works. In Italian and Latin. 18th Century.
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Non Plus Ultra Veritatis. Hoc est Scrutiniun Scientiae Hermeticae Sine Invidia brevis libellus Francisci Sebastiani Fulvi Melvolodemet... In Latin. 18th Century.
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Der Baum des dreifachen Wissens. 18th century.
1. Der BaV(I)M [Baumm] des DreIfaChen Wissens Nemblich Wie Man mit Godt Magisch im LIChte (I)agIsCh Mit den EngeLn durch ein Wunderbahres LIebe [Feuer] CabaLIstIsCh und mit der NatVr durch den SaLtz bVnDs PhILosophIsCh KVnstLICh reden soll, Nunmehr nach dem Fall aufwachsend aus dem Ba(I)M der erKäntnVs Böses und GVTTEs Bringende die frucht des Lebens am BaV(I) des CREITZES. Zeigende dehnen Heiden, wie sie Godt durch die NatVr und ihre Werke, wie auch durch die in ihr gegründete Künste, sie in die Bibel zu den Revelationibus Divinis, als zur Erkenntniß des wahren Gottes und seines Willens weiset. Denen Juden und Christen aber wird darinnen angezeiget, wie die revelationes divinae in der Bibel solch zu den Werken und Künsten der Natur von Gott eingeschaffen weisen...
[The roman numbers form a chronogram (I)=M=1000.]
[Figure 1. Crucifixion with vine growing around the cross. Below is a skull with snake entwining its body through the eye sockets.]
[Figure 2. A plant grows out of a stone.]
[Figure 3. Two philosophers are seen in a flask. One is seated with a book bearing seven seals linked to the planets.]
f13 [3 small diagrams in the margins.]
[Spaces are left in the text for a further set of figures 4-44.]
2. f133v '...Medicinalischen Basiliscum [...] magische Speculum Rhodostauroticum...'
[This seems to be a copy of another manuscript or printed book, as notes of various page numbers are mentioned in the margins of the text. The margins also contain many references to biblical texts.]
[Incomplete. Breaks off after the space left for illustration 44.]
[Formerly accessioned as 2287]
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Medulla Chymicae à Jo. Franc. Vigani. [In French.] 18th century.
[Formerly accessioned as 2288]
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Oratio Salomonis Regis petentis a Deo Sapientiam habita, Christopho Friderico Benjamine Kauffmann, Cüstrinensi Neo Marchico. die 26 Augusti MDCCXXIX [1729].
Written at Küstrin, Prussia [now Kostrzyn, Zielona Góra, Poland. A student work?
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Notes on alchemy in narrow column. The name ' Paracelso' is mentioned. In Italian. 18th Century.
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Notes on Alchemy. In Italian. 18th Century.
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Fragments. In Latin with one section in Italian. 18th Century.
f1-5 [Excerpts in Latin from 'Theatrum Chemicum' Vol 5 pages 567 to 794 or manuscript.]
f7-17 [Notes from various tracts in Latin on alchemy including a copy of the 'Tabula Smaragdina'.]
f19-24 Adnotationes excerptes ex Dialogo Demogorgonis et Geberi.
f25-26 [Verse in Italian on Alchemy.]
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Notes in the collection of Dr E. Schubert, from various works of Paracelsus including '10me Livre des archidoxes de paracelse', 'De Generatione'. In French. 19th Century.
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List of titles of sections of a book or manuscript, under 6 ' Divisiones'. In Italian. 18th Century.
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Unidentified work, which contains a number of lists of herbs, minerals, aromatic gums, etc. In Latin. 17th Century.
Begins: 'Canon in quo continentur scientia ad extrahendum quintam essentiam...'
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Copy of a text, presented in the form of a letter, on Salt, Sulphur and Mercury, dated at end 29 Sept 1553. In German. 18th or 19th Century.
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Extracts apparently from from Gabriel Plattes 'A Discovery of Subterranean Treasure...', London, 1639. In English. 18th Century.
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Notes on Geomancy, with some tables and diagrams. In French. 19th Century.
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Clari astronomi Johanis de Sacro Bosco tractatus de spera felicite incipit. Italy, c.1470. Phillipps MS 894.
De Sphera. By Joannes de Sacro Bosco.
Pencil note on binder's flyleaf: This book was brought to England in 1823 by the Abbé Celotti. Stamp: Per T.P. Middle Hill.
On verso of front endpaper: Thorpe. Celotti. John Ferguson, 7 Oct. 1901.
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Epistolae Hadriani Beverland, J.N.D., ad varios scriptae. Latin. 17th century.
Autograph transcripts of letters by Adrian Beverland, dated 1679 to 5 Oct. 1685.
Armorial bookplate of Had. Beverland, with autograph signed note in Latin on verso, tipped in after titlepage.
Bookplates of A.A. Renouard and Michel Chasles on verso of front endpaper.
Pencil date on verso of titlepage: 29 vii 81 [possibly date of acquisition by John Ferguson].
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Autograph letter, signed, from John Holmes to Lord [Ashburnham]. British Museum, [London], 2 March 1853.
Unable to accept invitation. Regarding manuscripts of Placides et Timeo, purporting to be translated from Latin to French for Philippe le Bel, but French is more modern. Sir Henry Ellis thanks him for discovery about variant edition of Fahqan. Has other matter to send him. British Museum has purchased Boerius manuscript from Lilly.
Pencil notes in another hand on verso of last leaf.
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Typescript letter, signed, from Wilfrid M. Voynich to Professor John Ferguson. 68 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W., February 8th, 1909.
Sending three alchemical manuscripts he has just brought from France. Not yet received Ferguson's answer regarding money matters.
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Notes on consumption. [In English]. XIXth century.
[Formerly accessioned as 666]
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Album of portrait photographs. Most without captions.
[Originally accessioned as G375-1938, shelved at Bh19-h.6]
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Album of portrait photographs. By Glasgow photographers. Some captions on versos; most without captions. Some dated 1860s.
[Originally accessioned as G376-1938, shelved at Bh19-h.7]
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