Liber Piccatriciae

Name:

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

Timespan:

Early works to 1800

Date:

1750

Description:

Latin translation of an Arabic magical handbook copied from the Spanish-language version. The text is a conglomeration of older magical and astrological works and is not clearly organized, but deals primarily with subjects such as talismans, lunar phases, and zodiac signs. Sections also include practical applications for performing magic with the use of talismans and sigils. The text draws on numerous authors and traditions, with a section devoted to discussing Indian astrological and ascetic traditions (p. 168), but also references Egyptian history, Islam, and pseudo-Aristotelian works. Also includes a table of contents at the end (p. i-x).

Language:

Latin; French

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. 589, 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/; Video orientation: https://hdl.library.upenn.edu/1017.12/100000284

Subject:

Astrology -- Early works to 1800; Astrology; Astronomy -- Early works to 1800; Astronomy; Magic -- Early works to 1800; Magic; Occultism -- Early works to 1800; Occultism

Resource Type:

Text

Form/Genre:

manuscripts (documents); codices (bound manuscripts); manuals (instructional materials); drawings (visual works); Manuscripts, European

Physical Description:

227 leaves : paper; 230 x 177 (185 x 100) mm bound to 236 x 182 mm

Rights:

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

Notes:

Ms. codex.; Title from title page (p. i).; Pagination: Paper, ii (contemporary paper) + 227 + ii (contemporary paper) leaves; [i], 1-89, [ii], 90-440, [x]; contemporary pagination in ink, upper outer corners.; Layout: Written in 25-29 long lines.; Script: Written in a cursive script by a single hand.; Decoration: Astrological symbols throughout (for example, p. 381).; Binding: Contemporary gold-tooled leather. Upper hinge nearly detached; lower hinge cracking; spine leather deteriorating.; Origin: Written in France[?] in the second half of the 18th century.; Purchased with support from the B. H. Breslauer Foundation.; Latin, with occasional notes in French.

Physical Location:

Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Manuscripts, Ms. Codex 1678