David von der Becke

Experimenta et Meditationes circa Naturalium Rerum Principia. 1688 [Alchemical]

Typis Bernardini Pomatelli, 1688. Bound in full calf with five raised bands and guilt titles. 12mo. [5.5 x 3.25 inches]
(1), [12], 516pp. (1)
[Latin]
Very Good. 1688 Experimenta et Meditationes – Science, Alchemy, and Hermetic Thought

Becke, David von der
Experimenta et Meditationes circa Naturalium Rerum Principia. 1688
Experiments and Meditations Concerning the Principles of Natural Things

Publisher: Typis Bernardini Pomatelli
12mo. [5.5 x 3.25 inches]
(1), [12], 516pp. (1)
[Latin]
Very Good

While Experimenta et Meditationes is rooted in natural philosophy and early experimental science, it is deeply intertwined with alchemical and Hermetic ideas, reflecting the evolving landscape of alchemy, medicine, optics, and the study of transformation in the late seventeenth century. David von der Becke worked at a moment when alchemy and chemistry still overlapped, and this book clearly embodies that transitional blend.

A major focus is generation and transformation, both in biological and alchemical terms. Von der Becke discusses how life takes shape, how traits are passed down, and how external forces, including a mother’s emotions, could alter a developing child. This parallels the alchemical idea of transmutation, in which substances, and even living things, can be changed by unseen forces. He also explores light and optics, using geometric diagrams to examine how light bends and moves, tying into Hermetic and alchemical ideas of illumination and perception, both literal and symbolic. Water is emphasized as the fundamental material of life, with references to Aqua Elementalis and Helmont’s theories of plants growing solely from water, concepts closely connected to alchemy’s search for a universal solvent. The text also treats acids, alkalis, and material change in ways that echo alchemical purification and transformation. References to Hermes Trismegistus and the Tabula Smaragdina reinforce the idea of cosmic balance, expressed in the maxim “as above, so below.” Later sections address fire, lightning, and etheric forces, showing how natural elements were believed to shape and purify the world.

This work stands at the crossroads of alchemy, early science, and Hermetic philosophy, illustrating how alchemy was gradually evolving into chemistry through a blend of biological theory, experimental observation, and esoteric tradition. It is an important text for collectors of early scientific and alchemical works and for those interested in late seventeenth-century intellectual history.

Bound in full leather, with five raised bands, gilt fleurons and titles, marbled endpapers, and red edges. The interior features drop cap initials, headpieces, and 22 hand-drawn manicules.Armorial bookplate of the Bibliotheca Hedervariana, a historic estate library of Hédervár in the Kingdom of Hungary, affixed to the rear of the front cover.

It is in Very Good condition, with some shelf wear, bumped corners, scuffing to the bottom boards, trimming to the top margins, and a tear to the half-title page. Very Good. Item #80

Price: $1,200.00