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an old book with a picture of a man on a horsean old book with black writing on it sitting on a white surface
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Estimate €700 - €900
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Description
Alchemy Zacharias, Dionysius (i.e. Dénis Zacaire) The Natural Philosophy, concerning the transmutation of metals into gold and silver, through the supreme mystery known as the Lapis Philosophorum. As actually composed by the world-renowned philosopher, Mr Dionysius Zacharias, Doctor of Laws in Paris … translated from the French into German (by Georg Forberger). With engraved frontispiece. Dresden and Leipzig, available from Gottfried Leschen, 1724. 7 leaves, pp. 17–140. Contemporary leather binding (some wear, headband with missing sections). 2nd German edition. – Brüning 3892 – Ferguson II, 561 note – Caillet 11569 – Kopp I, 198 and 224 – Cf. Duveen 631: “One of the very few alchemical books to which Brunet attributes any commercial value” (regarding the French edition of 1612). – The German first edition had already appeared in 1609, though without the poem “Mons philosophorum” following the preface. - Dénis Zacaire or Zeccarie was born in 1510 in the southern French Duchy of Guienne (Guyenne). He is said to have succeeded in transmuting mercury into gold in 1550 and, as he did not feel safe in France, he set off on his travels. In 1556, Zacaire was murdered in Cologne by a companion, who fled with the Philosopher’s Stone and his widow. - Tanned and somewhat stained. - Bound together with: Naxagoras, Erhard de (i.e. Johann Neithold): *Experientia Naxagorae* … in which is set forth the true process for preparing the Universal Medicine, both for the human body and for refining metals. Frankfurt, published by Dominico von Sand, 1723. 4 leaves, 184 pp. - VD18 11567678 - Ferguson II, 129 ff. - Kopp II, 211 ff. - Cf. Duveen 424. - An important alchemical work by J. Neithold on the preparation of a universal medicine and the refinement of metals. The title refers to two central symbols of Hermetic philosophy of the time: the ‘Annuli Platonici’ (the Platonic Rings) and the ‘Catena Aurea Homeri’ (Homer’s Golden Chain). These concepts describe a cosmic hierarchy in which all things in nature – from the spiritual to the solid – are linked together in a divine chain. – Slight discolouration; title page with a small tear at the edge. Alchemy. – This is a substantial anthology of German-language alchemical literature, bringing together the core ‘Hermetic Rosary’ corpus – which associates (pseudonymously or traditionally) the medieval and early-modern authorities Johannes de Garlandia, Arnoldus de Villa Nova, Bernardus Trevisanus, and Artephius – with three additional independently printed Hermetic treatises on the Philosopher’s Stone, bound together into a single volume in a contemporary gilt-tooled calfskin binding. The compilation reflects the enduring German interest in alchemical and Hermetic philosophy well into the mid-18th century, decades after the movement’s peak, and the presence of an early ownership stamp points to a traceable collecting history.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
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Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
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