A mytho Hermetic dictionary

Name:

Charles Rainsford Collection of Alchemical and Occult Manuscripts (University of Pennsylvania)

Timespan:

Early works to 1800

Date:

1798

Description:

The first and third parts of a French mytho-Hermetic dictionary translated into English, most likely by Charles Rainsford, with a preface (V. 1, p. iii-xxi). Also includes a leaf laid into the beginning of v. 1 that is addressed to "General Rainsford, Soho Square", with the remains of a wax seal that has been torn away.

Language:

English

Provenance:

Formerly owned by Charles Rainsford (British army officer, fellow of the Royal Society, and alchemist); bequeathed by Rainsford to Hugh Percy, Second Duke of Northumberland.; Owned by the 2nd through 12th Dukes of Northumberland, ms. 597 and 598, Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, 1809-2014 (bookplate, inside upper cover; stamps throughout).; Sold at auction at Sotheby's (London), 15 July 2014, as part of Lot 411.; Rainsford, Charles, 1728-1809, former owner.; Northumberland, Hugh Percy, Duke of, 1742-1817, former owner.

Relation:

Unique at Penn blog post: https://repository.upenn.edu/uniqueatpenn/23/

Subject:

Alchemy -- Early works to 1800; Alchemy; Occultism -- Early works to 1800; Occultism

Resource Type:

Text

Form/Genre:

Codices; Dictionaries; Manuscripts, English; Manuscripts, European; manuscripts (documents)

Physical Description:

2 volumes (185, 188 leaves): paper; volume 1: 375 x 247 mm bound to 385 x 260 mm; volume 2: 316 x 195 mm bound to 328 x 210 mm + 1 note

Rights:

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

Notes:

Ms. codex.; Title from title page (v. 1, p. 21).; Pagination: V.1: Paper, 185 leaves; [i-xxvi], 1-102, 102, 104-344; contemporary pagination in ink, upper outer corners. V. 2: Paper, 188 leaves; [ii], 1-289, [290-374]; contemporary pagination in ink, upper outer corners.; Script: Written in a cursive script in the hand of Charles Rainsford.; Decoration: Alchemical symbols throughout.; Binding: V. 1: Contemporary parchment. V. 2: Contemporary half leather with marbled paper boards. Second volume has severe moisture damage, particularly to the lower corners of the first and last few leaves.; Origin: Written in England in October 1798 (V.1, p. xxi) and 27 November 1799 (V. 2, p. 289).; Purchased with support from the B. H. Breslauer Foundation.; English, with occasional words in Greek and Hebrew.

Physical Location:

Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Manuscripts, Oversize Ms. Codex 1686