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an old book on a white background with a blank pagean old book with a picture of a man on itan old book with a drawing of flowers in a vasean old book with a drawing of a crown on itan old book with a drawing of a vase and a pipean old book with a drawing of a kitchen utensil and other itemsan old book with a drawing of a gate and a cross on itan old book with two swords and a crown on top of itan old book with a drawing of a man in a boat and another man in a boatan old book with a drawing of a man in a box on top of it
ALDE

115 - [ALCHEMICAL MANUSCRIPT]. The Divine Science.
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Estimate €3,000 - €4,000
Sale commission
Description
[ALCHEMICAL MANUSCRIPT]. The Divine Science. [Treatise on alchemy]. Manuscript signed and dated ‘In Paris’ by Pierre de la Borde on 12 December 1749. 2 parts in one small quarto volume of [30] folios, vellum Bradel binding with overlaps, slipcase (modern binding). A precious alchemical manuscript, comprising two distinct parts. The first part, signed ‘Aubert’ at the end of the text, is written in French. The text occupies [22] folios, calligraphically written within a border of interlacing lines and adorned with numerous hand-drawn headbands, initials, fleurons and culs-de-lampe (including one signed and dated ‘Pierre de la Borde fecit 1749’). The first folio has no title, but bears the inscription ‘In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen’ and, within a fleur-de-lis, the date entry of 12 December 1749 mentioned above. This is followed by a compilation of alchemical and spagyric recipes and secrets: how to prepare a ‘Régule marcial’ to perfection, Observations on the operation of the Great Universal Medicine, How to use the Powder of Transmutation on various metals, instruments and athanors to carry out this operation, A secret that prevents drinking water from spoiling at sea, Mercurial powder; the secret to making incombustible tar; the secret to making seawater drinkable; a herbal tea for purifying the blood and treating illnesses; snail ointment for women’s nipples; etc. This section is illustrated with four original pen-and-ink drawings, three of which are half-page illustrations depicting furnaces, athanors, stills, crucibles, etc., and a fourth full-page illustration depicting the filtering fountain used to make seawater drinkable. The second part is in Latin, in a different, older hand. It occupies [7] folios, illustrated with a series of nineteen alchemical paintings in red and gold watercolour. These paintings depict the trees of the seven metals – the theoretical section comprising seven figures – and the seven dwellings of the alchemical myth of the Son (Azoth/Mercury of the philosophers) who slays his Father (Gold/Sulphur of the philosophers) – the practical section comprising twelve figures. Very rare and beautiful alchemical iconography. A few stains and small watermarks on the final leaves.
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About the sale Antique books – Alchemy & the occult sciences
Auction location
Auction time 11/04/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits:
ALDE
See original version (French)
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