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Database of alchemical manuscripts - English Libraries

Updated Dec 14 1995.
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1547. Canterbury, Christ Church MS. B.8 (Catalogue entry 50).
135 folios. Interleaved paper and vellum. 265x203mm. 15th Century.
Raymund Lully, Liber Maioris Vuluminis Secretorum.
[Capitals in red and blue. Several curious drawings of stills and figures to assist the alchemist and astrologer.
f1v [Table of contents.]
Tractatus Rotarium et argumentorum 3e dictinctionis Raymundi Lully.
Item Questionarius.
Item Anima artis transmutationis.
Item vera practica eiusdem.
Item de tabulis et figuris.
Item de separatione elementorum.
Item liber quinte essentie.
Item de remediis infirmatatum, etc.
[At the end of the ars transmutatoria]: 'et copistia istius libri complevit opus suum 8 die mensis Augusti, Anno domini 1464. D.R. Laus Deo'.]
1548. Eton College MS. 182.
161 folios. Paper. 300x200mm. 16th Century [1573.]
1. Liber de Alkimia qui bucella dulcidinis vocatur. [At the end is " W. 1573 B. - Henry Gibbon".]
2. Speculum hominum.
3. Breviarum Iohannis pauperis de arte Alkymia.
4. Juh. Vienensis. Speculum elementorum.
5. Tractatus mirabilis.
6. Hermes de salibus et corporibus.
1549. Lichfield Cathedral Library MS. 18.
28 folios. Paper. 210x150mm. In one hand. Late 16th Century.
1. f4-27 George Ripley, The Mary [Marrow] of Alchemy.
2. f28 [Note on the main text by the copyist.]
1550. Lichfield Cathedral Library MS. 19.
185 folios. 270x180mm. 17th Century.
f20-154 D. Hastivillus, Corollarum Chymicum.
1551. Liverpool, University Library MS. 56.
2 folios. 310x190mm. 18th Century.
Sir Isaac Newton
'Libri Mss. in Bibl. Bodleiana de Alchimia'. [Autograph list compiled by him from Edward Bernard Catalogus Librorum manuscriptorum Angliae et Hiberniae 1697, c. 1700.]
[Purchased from Quaritch 1921.]
1552. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. R. 24486.
i + 45 + 1 folios. Vellum and paper. 19th Century.
Splendor Solis. A volume containing copies in colour, very finely executed by hand, of the 22 miniatures and 4 folios of the German text of the 'Splendor Solis' in the British Library.
f4 'Ces miniature ont �t� copi�es par Mr. C.W. Wing, artiste Anglais, de 1847 � 1852. Signed [Joseph Octave] Delespierre' (1802-79).]
1553. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. German 1.
Parchment. 16th Century.
1554. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Crawford German 8.
ii + 14 + vi. Vellum and paper. 216x180mm. 15th Century.
Vera sciencia alhimie in figuris... id est Warhaftige erkentnisz der hochsten erzeney.
1. f2-6v [Prologue in German rhyme "Dis gewalt peynigt mich nackendes weib/ Wann unselig was mein erster leib..."
[With series of coloured drawings numbered 1-9.]
2. f7-11 [Prologue in German verse "Platonis tochter r�ft und scheit also/ Beware mich, so bewar ich dich".]
[With series of coloured drawings numbered 10-17.]
1555. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Crawford German 13.
ii + 169 + i folios. Paper. 285x233mm. 18th Century.
[Collection of alchemical works in German. Illustrated with 37 full page coloured drawings.]
1. f2-51v Hermetis Alchymia Naturalis... hinderlassen von Theobaldo Corsini, seinen Erb= Freund und schuller, Joh. Jos. Hub: Freyh: v: Conrath: der es wehrend seines 283 Jahr: alters 4 mal gearbeitet als Anno 1460 in Florenz, 1508 Coblinz, 1604 Strassburg, und 1713 Wien... [f2v] von dem Unsch�tzbaren Arciv der sehr Ber�hmt und Hoch = gelehrt Philosophischen gesellschaft deren Herrn, Herrn Rosen Creutzen... den 1 January in Jahr 1767.
2. f52-103 Trockner Weg Sebaldi Schwaerzers ad Lapidem Phylosophorum, Copiret von dessen wahren Original, wie er solches Churf�rsten von Sachsen Augusto, und nach den Tod Christiani Electoris, Ihro Kays: Majestaet Rudolpho II in Prag beh�ndiget, auch beyder orthen unter G�ttlicher gnade und Seegen glicklich ausgearbeitet.
3. f103v-109v Ciluten Veneris et Martis... heraus gegeben durch Theobald Corsini.
4. f110-126 [Two treatises.] Wie mit dem Mercurificirten Azoth Ferners eine K zu machen. Die Augmentation oder Vermehrung ist nichts anders, als eine Rotation.
5. f127-135v Wahrhafter Modus der Bereithung eines gerechten Liquori Alchaest... von einem Gelehrten Philosophen in aigner handschrift hinderlassen.
6. f136-155v Verus Lapis Philosophorum ex [Sun - Gold], von einem Italienischen Adepto, seinem Sohn hinderlassen, Nun mehro aber aus dessen Eigenh�ndig = Uralten Manuscript vom Italienischen ins Teitsche �bersezet, und denen Filiis Doctrinae hiermit, Getreulich hinderlassen Im Jahr Christi 1767.
1556. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Crawford Dutch 7.
76 folios. Paper. 210x165mm. 18th Century.
Openbaring der Boodschap van het Ewig Evangelium. [A translation of 'A Revelation of the Everlasting Gospel Message (1697) by Jane Leade. In the same hand as MS. Crawford Dutch 8.]
1557. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Crawford Dutch 8.
43 folios. Paper. 197x149mm. 18th Century.
f3 Der Weeg zur wahrer Busse [ending with the signature 'J. Leade']
[Composed mostly of extracts from Boehme's Der Weg zu Christo, Vom dreifachen Leben, Mysterium Magnum, Psychologia Vera, Anti-Stiefelius I, and Theosophische Sendbriefe. In the same hand as MS. Crawford Dutch 7.]
1558. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Crawford French 21-22.
Two volumes. 142 + ii folios, and 143 + ii folios. Vellum. 239x162mm. 18th Century.
[A collection of extracts or translations from alchemical and medical works, including those of Pierre Vicot, Arnold of Villa Nova, Lambspringk, Nicolas Flamel, Sendivogius, George Ripley, Paracelsus, Basil Valentine, Nicolas Delognes, Raymund Lully, Roger Bacon, Christophe de Gamon, Isaac Hollandois, Pere Castaigne, Jean Saulnier and others.]
1559. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. 77.
Paper, 199 folios. 17th Century [1685.]
Mysterium Sophiae Revelatum.
[Title page, representing a Head, surmounted by a trefoil. It is inscribed: 'Mysterium Sophiae Revelatum'. On a band below: 'Clarivii adoranata per A. de Raadt/1685/Ultrajecti delineata per M. Andreae'.]
1. Amorosum Sopghiae Desiderium. Praeloquium Praemissorum. Iubila sterilis quae non peperit.
[After this are: Epiphonema (Greek) Corollarium. Doxologia (Greek). Then Introitus
Communis, consisting of: Adspiration (music on five-line stave and Hebrew words)
Obtestatio. Promissio (Music and Hebrew words). Oratio. Canticum (Music and Latin words).Then an office for each day of the week.]
2. Pforte de Paradisischen Rosengartens. [Title-page, a cross surmounted by a rayed eye. Warnung; in German, followed by: Allgemeiner Eingang: Voorbereiding (music, Flemish words). Aufmuntterung. Gebeth (German). Gesangh (Flemish). Then offices for fourteen days (Sunday to Saturday).]
3. Canticum Canticorum Salomonis. [This is a Latin rendering divided among the dramatis personae (Sponsa, Sponsus, and Sodales). Music with Latin or Hebrew words.]
4. Quinarius Sanctus. [Title page with Iesus and a head with five flaming arrows. The Quinarius consists of: Gemitus, Adspiration, Oration, Hymnus, Iubilus. Music and Latin words.]
[On f119 is a drawing of a head: on it are a lily, a branch of roses, and an arrow.]
1560. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. 405. [R.66023].
169 folios. Paper. 15th and 17th Century.
1. f9-35v Johannes de Rupescissa (Jean de Roquetaillade), Liber de Famulatu Philosophie [or] Liber de Consideracione Quinte Essencie. [15th Century.]
2. f36-80v Hic incipitur liber qui vocatur Thesaurum Mundi. Modo dicam quomodo sit multiplicatio medicinarum ad album. [Various alchemical formulae, etc., in English and Latin. 15th Century.]
3. f1-2, 81-4, 88v-108v [Miscellaneous alchemical formulae and extracts of 17th Century.]
1561. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Latin 65.
224 + 2 folios. Vellum. 15th Century.
Alchemica.
Vellum 224+2 folios. 15th century, in good hands, apparently Italian.
24 treatises, including works by Arnold de Villa Nova, Joh de Rupescissa, Maria
Prophetesse, Thomas de Aquino, Turba Philosophorum, etc.
1562. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Latin 82.
152 folios. Paper. 198x150mm. 17th Century.
[Collection of various alchemical treatises and extracts in Latin and German.]
[Dedication on fly-leaf to 'I.D.' John Dee?]
1. Activa Potentia Passiva [Collection of extracts some in Latin, some in English verse from Norton and Ripley, others from Raymund Lully. Illustrated with diagrams some in colour.]
2. [A series of the large folding plates from Khunrath's 'Amphitheatrum sapientiae aeternae', 1602, are included on f17, 29, 40, 45, 52, and 68.]
3. f76 Tractatus De Cognoscendo Limo Terrae ex quo Deus hominem formavit et composuit [in German.]
4. f80 Herren Johann Thunstain Proces: So der Engel�nder Chilian unf Johan De: ausz desz Thunstain Begrabnis, sambt der Tinctur bekommen, hernachmals nach seinem tode, Ihrer Kay: Mayt: zuhanden worden.
5. f82 Mercurium Vitae Theoph: Wider allerley Kranckheite, Vom Herren Doct: Sebastian Seyfridt zu Olmuntz zu Praeparieren.
6. f84 Proces Sigmundi Adolphi.
7. f85-88 [Various alchemical recipes in German.]
1563. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
56 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Abr�g� des principes de la science herm�tique, suivi d'un trait�-pratique du grand oeuvre.
1564. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
15 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
1. Annibal Barlet. Explication et d�nominationn des caract�res de la philosophie herm�tique, tir�e de l'art de dieu ou phisique resolutive pour connoitre la th�otechnie ergocosmique par A. Barlet... 1657.
2. Sommaire philosophique de N. Flamel.
1565. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
151 pages. Paper. Quarto. 18th Century.
Heinrich von Batsdorff [Christoph Reibehand]. Le filet d' Ariane. Discours pr�liminaire sur la pierre des sages.
1566. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
529 folios. Paper. Quarto. 18th Century [c. 1720]
[Extracts from the works of Bernardus Trevisanus and others, on the elements, matter, metals, etc.]
1567. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
62 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Gabriel de Castaigne. Livre de l'or potable de Castaigne.
1568. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
431 pages. Paper. Quarto. 17th Century.
La d�couverte du grand secret des philosophes ou les disciples d'Hermes, o� tous ceux qui cherchent le grand oeuvre trouveront toutes les choses n�cessaires et claiement expliqu�es pour leur travail, � Gen�ve 1688. [A translation from the Latin edition of 1688 entitled 'Magni philosophorum arcani revelator'.]
1569. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
82 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Premier (-troisi�me) discours de la philosophie au philosophe inconn� qui declare la nature de la pierre, ses effets, ses excellences, avec sa possibilit�. (Sentiment d'un amateur de la v�rit�). (L'oeuvre des Sages.)
1570. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
63 pages. Paper. Quarto. 17th - 18th Century.
1. Nicolas Flamel. Arcanum arcanorum de Domino Dalbaricy. 1694. Ouvres [sic[ posthumes de Flamel.
2. Le livre secret du tres ancien philosophe Artephius de l'art occulte, et de la pierre philosophale.
1571. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
21 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Pierre Gringore. L'oeuvre de la pierre phil. �crite par chifres dans le livre des fantaises de gringore dit mere sotte, imprim�e � Paris en caract�res gotiques l'an 1500. [The privilege of the first edition of the 'Fantaisies' is dated 1516.]
1572. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
10 pages. Paper. Quarto. 17th Century.
Hermes Trismegistus. Explication selon Josepho Philosopho... des parolles du grand Hermes, contenantes le secret des secrets [With the text.]
1573. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
8 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Hermes Trismegistus. Table d'�meraude de Hermes trismegiste p�re des philosophes.
1574. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
177 pages. Paper. Folio. 18th Century.
1. Holtasop. Excerpta de extasi secreto, ou traitt� & contemplation des grands myst�res naturels & surnaturels du Friderici Gualdiani appell� communement Holtasop, un prince oriental de naissance, etc.
2. Excerpta de via veritatis... B. Valentini... de la quinta essentia et oleo metallorum... et comment on en a elabor�e la Pierre des plus anciens maitres au Couvent Scti Petri, etc. [Translated into French from a manuscript dated 1480.]
3. R�v�lation v�ritable des teintures de B. Valentin.
1575. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
63 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Ignis sanctus et philosophia de nitro sapientiae, id est, le trio philosophique et neanmoins la simple feuille de trefle. [Translated into French from a manuscript dated 1482.]
1576. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
16 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Nicolas le F�vre. Description du fourneau � lampe. De Le Febure.
1577. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
184 pages. Paper. Octavo. 17th Century.
Alexandre Toussaint Limojon de Saint Didier.
1. L'Ancienne guerre des chevaliers, ou l'entretien de la pierre des philosophes avec l'or et le mercure... Compos� originairement en Alleman... et traduit nouvellement du latin en fran�ais.
2. Entretien d'Eudoxe et de Phyrophile sur l'anciennes guerres des chevaliers.
3. Lettres aux vrais disciples d'Herm�s, contenant six principales clefs de la philosophie secr�te.
1578. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
141 pages. Paper. Quarto. 16th Century [c. 1500]
Raymundus Lullius. Le nouveau testament de Raimond Lule, dedi� au roy Charles. [Translated from the Latin.]
1579. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
204 pages. Paper. Quarto. 16th Century [c. 1500]
Raymundus Lullius. La ppretoire de Raymond Lule, majorcain, traduict en fran�ois.
1580. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
10 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Observations pour l'intelligence des principes et fondements de la philosophie herm�tique.
1581. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
65 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Op�rations. [Instructions for the production of certain chemical preparations.]
1582. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
34 pages. Paper. Octavo. 17th Century.
L'or potable pour pr�venir & guerir toute sorte de maladies.
1583. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
18 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Au tr�s savant et tr�s ing�nieux Mr. Panurge, salut de la part des Conf�der�s de la philosophie herm�tique.
1584. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
14 + 273 + 17 pages. Paper. Folio. 18th Century [1703]
Poliphilus. [Francesco Colonna.] Le songe de Poliphile ou roman misterieux qui enseigne sous un sens cach� ce quil y a de plus beau dans les sciences et les arts. Traduit de l'italien par E.R.A.E.P. La Rochelle, 1703.
1585. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
22 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Pratique de la teinture philos. tant pour la sant� que pour les richesses et l'am�lioration des imparfaicts en [Sun-Gold] et [Moon-Silver] et la concentration des animaux et des v�g�taux.
1586. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
20 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Pr�cis de la th�orie et pratique de la nature et philosophie herm�tique.
1587. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
238 pages. Paper. Octavo. 17th Century.
Recueil de lettres escrites par un philosophe adepte, avec deux responses d'un philosophe errant.
1588. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
102 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Recueil de secrets seurs & �prouv�s de m�decine, de chymie, et d'alchymie pour les hommes et les m�taux.
1589. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
339 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Recueil singulier des secrets rares & �prouvez concernans la chymie, l'alchymie, la philosophie herm�tique et l'art du feu tant pour la sant� des hommes que pour les m�taux.
1590. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
95 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Jean Saunier. Oeuvre philosophique de J. Saunier, faite en l'an 1432. 7 may.
1591. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
30 pages. Paper. Octavo. 17th - 18th Century.
Synesius the Alchemist. Le vrai livre de l'abb� grec Synesius, etc.
1592. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
18 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Traduction d'un manuscrit grec tr�s ancien trouv� dans la Bibliot�cque du Monast�re du Mont Sina�, par le Patriarche d'Alexandrie pendant qu'il �tait arch�v�que. Contenant l'op�ration distincte et d�taill�e sur la v�ritable mati�re des philosophes.
1593. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
16 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Trait� de certains particuliers dont le premier de tous est la pr�paration de la marcassitte de plomb.
1594. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
33 pages. Paper. Octavo. 18th Century.
Trait� de l'alkaesi, qui est le grand dissolvant des philo[sophes], expliqu� tout au long et sans aucuns d�guisement; augment� de la m�decine universelle. Par un amateur de la v�rit�.
1595. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
25 pages. Paper. Quarto. 18th Century.
Johannes Trithemius.
1. Lys & roses que... J. Trithemius... � laiss� privative � son Couvent pour les cueillir en memoire de luy.
2. Proc�d� pour pr�parer notre [Vitriol] secret et d'en produire un grand Rx.
1596. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
138 pages. Paper. Quarto. 18th Century.
Basilius Valentinus. Compendium veritatis philosophicum, et collectanea ejus ex variis philosophiae nec non multiplicatio cum projectione sanctae petrae.
1597. Manchester, John Rylands Library MS. Christie.
19 pages. Paper. Quarto. 18th Century.
Basilius Valentinus. Instruction particuli�re... sur la philosophie spagyrique de la vigne et du [Vitriol], etc.