Manuscript on paper containing 1) Lapis philosophorum, seu tinctura phisica, in Latin, followed by an English version. 2) Alchemy, in English and Latin. 3) Astrology, including events predicted for the year 1655. 4) Walter Charleton, Notes extracted from his book. 5) Alchemy, medical recipes, and aphorisms. 6) George Rives, goldsmith, Account of the making of gold from lead at Bath by a certain Mervin in 1651. 7) Dr. Start, Notes taken from his experiments, and other matter. 8) Letter of a divine philosopher
Description:
In Latin and English., Script: Written by a single English hand writing a good cursive sloping slightly to the right., Watermarks: Paper watermarked with a flag with two pennants on a pole, no initials visible, similar but not identical to Heawood 1371-1372., and Binding: Original or possibly slightly later binding of brown calf rebacked, covers with double gold rule at edges, back divided into four compartments by five bands, old (but not original) red morocco label with double border of gold dots and gold rule in second compartment from top, stamped in gold, "ALCHEMY MSS." All edges gilt.
Subject (Topic):
Alchemy, Transmutation (Chemistry), Formulas, recipes, etc, and Astrology
Manuscript on paper of a large quantity of alchemical recipes and procedures, relating above all to metallurgy and transmutation. With Alchimie und Bergwerck; and German translations of John of Rupescissa, De consideratione quinte essentie; and Ramon Lull, Extracts from Experimenta and Testamentum novissimum
Description:
In German and Latin., Watermarks: 1) a long-stemmed cross above a bull's head; 2) a six-lobed arc above and each lobe surmounted by a three-lobed cross; 3) a crown. All with vertical chain marks, trimmed, not identified., Script: Very neat and clear gothic cursives, captions by the same hand, written in two parts, the second beginning at f. 201r., Some red sentence-strokes and underlining; red captions and chapter headings with minimal elaboration, carefully laid out on the page, also pen line-fillers at end of each section, as needed for text spacing. A penned brown and red crown as folk symbol at left margin of f. 135r. Infrequent sketches of alchemical vessels in brown or red at side margins, some very slightly trimmed., and Binding: Original blind-stamped brown calf over beveled wooden boards, the sides paneled in vertical patterns of roll tools, two brass catches on upper cover, remains of brass attachments for clasps on the lower; the original backstrip with three raised bands laid down; plain edges; restored by Carolyn Horton, New York, and with a leather title label on the backstrip supplied by her.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Topic):
Alchemy, Formulas, recipes, etc, Manuscripts, Medieval, Metallurgy, and Transmutation (Chemistry)
