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76 - BECHER, Johann Joachim. Physica subterranea profundam subter…
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Estimate €500 - €800
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BECHER, Johann Joachim. Physica subterranea profundam subterraneorum genesim e principiis hucusque ignotis ostendens, opus sine pari... Editio novissima. Leipzig, Weidmann, 1738. In-4, (8) ff. (including frontispiece, title and preface), 504-(18) p., (3)-161-(9) pp. contemporary fawn calf, 5-ribbed spine, havana title-piece, decorated boards (binding rubbed, paper oxidised, some light rings). Beautiful engraved allegorical frontispiece. Best edition of the famous work by the German physician and chemist Johan Joachim Becher (1635-1682), a pioneer in the development of scientific theory in chemistry. This was based on the doctrine of the 3 elements, or "three earths", namely vitrifiable earth, the earthy element; mercurial earth, the metallic element; and inflammable earth, the combustible element. This edition, by Becher's disciple Georg Ernst Stahl, contains the 3 supplements in continuous pagination with their own title and index. Then, in separate pagination, Stahl's work: Specimen Beccherianum sistens fundamenta, documenta, experimenta, quibus principia mixtionis subterraneæ... "An important work, which contains Becher's theory of matter, later adopted by his pupil Stahl, and therefore the basis of the phlogiston theory (...) Numerous editions of this work were published, the last in 1738... the first supplement (...) is a defence of alchemy against Werner Rolfinck (...) an opponent of this art" (Duveen). "One of the great books in the history of chemistry, in which Becher enunciates his theory of the composition of all matter. (Neville) This doctrine of the three earths paved the way for the scientific revolution that Stahl was to bring about. Becher, who also admitted the existence of a universal acid of waters and salts, the principle of the crossing of minerals, is also the last chemist known to have professed the belief in the transmutation of metals. Duveen, 59. Ferguson I, 89. Norman 153-4. Wellcome II, 125.
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Auction time 06/04/2026 at 2:00 PM
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