Alchemy

folio (205 x 310mm,), manuscript in several hands in German, Italian, and Latin, in black and brown ink with red ruling and headings, with 6 pages of finely executed diagrams including of alchemical furnaces, 218pp. with pp.89-104 and 196-212 blank, plus 23 later blank leaves inserted (at time of binding) between text leaves and illustrations (on pp.213-218), traces of seals, early twentieth-century black shagreen binding with gilt cornerpieces and clasps with a small velvet-lined reliquary set into hinged centrepiece, traces of gilt edges, some marginal paper repairs, a few small wormholes at front, occasional damp-staining, binding slightly rubbed, lacking two (of 3) clasps

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An extensive seventeenth-century alchemical manuscript, containing over 170 different recipes, mostly alchemical but also including some medical receipts, and with extracts from various alchemical works, by Ramon Lull, Bernardo of Treviso, Marcello Palingeni and Arnaldo de Villanova (though a lengthy section of the transcription of Villanova's Rosarium philosophorum has been removed, pp.89-104, now replaced with blanks).

The alchemical recipes for the most part treat of transubstantiation, involving gold, silver, mercury and antimony, the purification of the metals, and the processes relating to alloys. There are also practical applications of chemical processes including the manufacture of dyes and pigments and "malleable glass".

The medical receipts, interspersed with the alchemical material, are taken from published works such as Theophrastus and from demonstrations such as for the treatment of gout held in Augsburg in 1690.