Lot 4 | Les Dovze Clefs de Philosophie de Frere Basile Valentin, Religieux de l'Ordre de Sainct Benoist. Traictant de la vraye Medicine Metalique. Plus l'Azoth, ou le moyen de faire l'Or caché des Philosophes. Traduction Francoise
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Les Dovze Clefs de Philosophie de Frere Basile Valentin, Religieux de l'Ordre de Sainct Benoist. Traictant de la vraye Medicine Metalique. Plus l'Azoth, ou le moyen de faire l'Or caché des Philosophes. Traduction Francoise
Two volumes in one, each with separate title-page and pagination, although second work ("Azoth...") is mentioned on first title-page; bound with Traicte' de la Nature de l'Oeuf des Philosophes. Composé par Barnard, Comte de Treues, Allemand. Together, 3 volumes in 1. 176; 190; 64 pp. a8, A-K8; A-M8 (lacking M8, apparently a blank); A-D8. Wtih full-page copper-engraving & a woodcut in first work; second work with large woodcut on title-page, & 13 woodcuts in the text; third work with small woodcut on title-page. (8vo) 6½x4, period calf.
Rare works of alchemical nature, the first two by the 15th century monk Basil Valentine, of the Order of St. Benedict, the first being his "Twelve Keys" book of renown. The cuts are very curious. Possibly the Dedication Copy - the book is dedicated to English scientist and mathematician Kenelm Digby, and there is the manuscript bookplate of Digby on the back of the title-page; on inserted leaf preceding the title is 1½ pages of commentary in French, likely 19th century. This copy does not have the suite of plates found in some copies, but there is no evidence they were ever bound in; possibly an early state of the work.
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