[It Contains the Four Rare Folding Plates] [With Some Illustrations in MS Facsimile]

Valentinus, Basilius Flamel, Nicolas

Musaeum Hermeticum Reformatum et Amplificatum Omnes Sopho-Spagyricae Artis Discipulos Fidelissime Erudiens...1749

Publisher: Francofurti et Lipsiae 1749.

(2), [10], 862pp. [2].

Quarto [9 x 7 inches].

[Latin] Condition: Very Good

Originally published in 1625 by Lucas Jennis, the Musaeum Hermeticum was one of the most important alchemical compendia of the seventeenth century. It was created to offer a representative "Hermetic library in a more compact form than the massive Theatrum Chemicum or Manget's Bibliotheca Chemica Curiosa. The enlarged 1678 Latin edition greatly expanded the contents with many illustrations, and this 1749 edition is a reprint of that version. Included are treatises by Basil Valentine, Helvetius, Nicolas Flamel, Michael Maier, Thomas Norton, Sendivogius, Lambspring, and others. The work is especially known for its emblematic engraved illustrations done by Matthaeus Merian, including the series accompanying Lambspring's De Lapide Philosophorum and the large folding plates at the end, with the highlight being the Twelve Keys of Basil Valentin!

Full vellum binding with ornate gilt borders on the front and rear boards, gilt titles on a red Morocco spine label, marbled endpapers, and page edges dyed red. Illustrated with a total of 44 engraved illustrations and figures, including four large folding plates at the rear. This copy has the distinctive feature of twelve engravings (including the illustrated half-title) supplied in finely executed early pen facsimile, done with exceptional care. There is a previous sellers description tipped in on the second end paper.

It is in Very Good condition, with the main flaw being the twelve illustrations supplied in pen facsimile, though they are of high quality. Frontispiece before the half-title is lacking. Front cover has a crack that has been professionally restored. Corners lightly bumped with slight splay. Small section of vellum missing at the edge of the rear cover. Half-title with tape repair on the verso. Three folding plates at the rear with old tape repairs. Damp stain affecting pp. 295-300. First marbled leaf with trimmed edges. Endpapers toned. Otherwise, the text is mostly clean.