Of the great mysterie of antimonie

Name:

Suchten, Alexander von, approximately 1520-approximately 1590

Timespan:

Early works to 1800

Date:

1600

Description:

Alchemical work by Alexander von Suchten (f. 6r-160v; ms. say "van," not "von"). Translated directly from the German edition of Michael Toxites (Strassbourg, 1570). Also contains an alchemical work by Benedictus Figulus, The golden and blessed pandora of the great mysteries in nature holding forth the revelation of ... Hermes Tresmegistus, interpreted by Theophrastus Paracelsus. Whereunto is annexed the elucidation of it, of ... Alexander van Suchten (f. 165r-292r). This is a translation of the original published in Strassbourg in 1608.

Language:

English

Provenance:

Formerly owned by Edmund Teynton, 18th century (f. 6r); sold by Thomas Winthrop, New London (f. 5v), to Charles M. Tainter, Colchester, Conn., 1868 (f. 5v, 6r); I. R. Breuchaud, 1902 (f. 1r).; Teynton, Edmund, former owner.; Winthrop, Thomas, active 1815, former owner.; Tainter, Charles M., former owner.; Breuchaud, I. R., former owner.

Subject:

Hermes, Trismegistus; Paracelsus, 1493-1541; Alchemy -- Early works to 1800; Alchemy; Antimony -- Early works to 1800; Chemistry -- History; Chemistry; History; Antimony

Resource Type:

Text

Form/Genre:

codices (bound manuscripts); Manuscripts, English; Manuscripts, European; manuscripts (documents)

Physical Description:

296 leaves : paper; 189 x 150 (161 x 114) mm bound to 195 x 155 mm

Rights:

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/

Notes:

Ms. codex.; Title from title page (f. 6r).; Title of second work from f. 165r. This work was published in Strassbourg in 1608 with the Latin title, Pandora magnalium naturalium aurea et benedicta, de benedicto lapidus philosoph[orum] mysterio. An English translation of this work was published (London: J. Elliott, 1893) under the title, A golden and blessed casket of nature's marvels.; First work, incipit and explicit: (f. 6r) [preface] Courteous reader, I thought good, to let you understand ... (f. 150r) read it with judgement, before hee judgeth them. For hee that judgeth indiscreetly, will have the worst of it. Fare well. [There follows and alphabetical "register of the contents," f. 151r-160v.].; Second work, incipit and explicit: (f. 165r) [preface] Most honorable gentlemen; In the course of my studyes ... (f. 292r) with Sol and lune, attayneth unto the mysterie. Finis.; From Zacour-Hirsch: "A letter from the Mass. Hist. Soc. indicates that this ms. may be in the handwriting of John Winthrop, Jr. (1606-1676)" This letter has not been located.; Signatures: First two folios of each quire signed A1, A2 ... etc. The system begins anew with the second text, f. 165. No catchwords.; Collation: [v], A-Z², AA-RR², 2, A-Z², AA-II², [iv].; Foliation: Paper, 296; [1-296]; modern foliation in pencil, upper right recto.; Script: Written in a semi-cursive script by a single hand.; Watermark: Contains the letters ICO.; Binding: Calf over pasteboards, with pastedowns from a contemporary printed Bible (printer's waste). English, 18th century. Spine is split, and the codex is completely broken in half between f. 150 and 151 (i.e., between quires OO and PP of the first section). Quire PP is pulling loose. Leather of cover splitting at the upper hinge. Slight water damage to some of the leaves.; Origin: Written in England in the 17th century (Zacour-Hirsch).; Forms part of: Edgar F. Smith Memorial Collection.; Related Work: Figulus, Benedictus, active 1587-1607. Pandora magnalium naturalium aurea et benedicta, de benedicto lapidus philosophorum mysterio. English.

Physical Location:

Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Manuscripts, Ms. Codex 119