Author: MONTE CUBITI, Vigilantus de (pseudonym of translator).
Title: Dreyfaches Hermetisches Kleeblat.Including:(1) NUISEMENT, Clovis Hesteau de. Tractat von dem waaren geheimen Saltz der Philosophorum, und von dem allgemeinem Geist der Welt.(2) NORTON, Samuel. Mercurius redivivus ...; Catholicon physicorum ...; Venus vitriolata, in elixir conversa ...; Elixir seu medicina vitae ...; Saturnus saturatus dissolutus & coelo restitutus ...; Metamorphosis lapidum ignobilium in gemmas quasdam pretiosas ...; Alchymiae complementum, et perfectio ...; Ein Tractätlein welches von den Philosophischen Schrifften handlet ...(3) FICINO, Marsilio. Büchlein vom Stein der Weisen ...Nürnberg, Michael and Johann Friderich Endter, 1667. 8vo. With an engraved title page and 16 full-page engravings. Contemporary vellum, sewn on 3 supports laced through the joints, a (faded) manuscript shelf mark ("313") at the foot of the spine.
Description: [1], [1 blank], [1], [1 blank], [15], [1 blank], [4], 448, [32] pp.First edition of a scarce compilation of important alchemical tracts, containing the first known edition of a work attributed to Marsilio Ficino (1433-1499) about the philosopher's stone. The other tracts were written by Samuel Norton (1548-1621) and Clovis Hesteau de Nuisement (also known as Jacques de Nuysement, ca. 1550-1623/24), and both appear here in German translation for the first time. According to the title page, the present edition and translation of the texts was the work of a certain Vigilantus de Monte Cubiti (dates unknown), presumably an editor and translator operating under a pseudonym. The work rarely appears on the market, as we have only been able to find four other copies in recent sales records.The work starts with a general introduction, which is followed by three parts. Ficino's tract, here titled Büchlein von dem Stein der Weisen, makes up the third part. The present edition of this tract predates the first Latin edition (1702), titled Liber de arte chemica, by more than 30 years. The tract itself was likely transcribed and translated from a short Latin text found in Manuscript Sloane 3638, which now resides in the British library. The text is anonymous, but was ascribed to Ficino in 1518. Although this attribution is currently disputed, the present German translation is the first known printed edition of this tract in any language.The first part of the present compilation is a German translation of Traittez du vray sel secret des philosophes (1621) by De Nuisement. This work discusses salt, one of the four basic elements in alchemy. It was seen as a stable, pure element, which could provide the foundation for alchemical transformations. According to De Nuisement, the "true salt" is a secret fire that comes from the sun, which he explains in more detail in his tract. The second part of the work contains all eight alchemical treatises by Norton. They explain various alchemical processes, including the process of creating the vegetable, mineral, animal, mixed and transparent stones, as well as the elixir of life. This part of the work is illustrated with full page engravings of the alchemical processes, depicted schematically in the shape of trees.The vellum is somewhat soiled, with a brown ink stain on the back board, remnants of a paper label at the head of the spine. The work is lightly browned throughout, pp. 295-298 are detached, but still present. Otherwise in good condition.l Brüning 2158; Caillet 7686; Duveen p. 410; Ferguson II, p. 102; USTC 2584629 (7 copies); VD17 3:304753Z (6 copies); WorldCat 14297390, 69152517, 457937950.

Keywords: [E51AD6E3D609] SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY|[E51AD6E3D609] SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY -> [317088CF6DBC] Alchemy, Astrology & Occult|