Lot 50
  • 50

Libavius, Andreas

Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Libavius, Andreas
  • A rare collection of four works by Libavius, 1606-1616, bound in two folio volumes, comprising:
  • Paper
Alchymia... recognita, emendata, et aucta... qui exornatus est variis instrumentorum chymicorum picturis... Frankfurt: Joannes Saurius for Peter Kopff, 1506 [i.e. 1606], first title within engraved border, second and third titles with woodcut printer's device, woodcut illustrations, small rust hole in Ee6
Syntagma selectorum undiquaque et perspicue traditorum alchymiae arcanorum. Frankfurt: Nicolaus Hoffmann for Peter Kopff, 1611, first title within engraved border, woodcut illustrations, small stain on L6

Syntagmatis arcanorum chymicorum... tomus secundus. Frankfurt: Nicolaus Hoffmann for Peter Kopff, 1613, title within engraved border, woodcut illustrations, woodcut and letterpress plate at fol. 307, paper flaw in B1 with loss of a few letters, small stain on Aa1
Appendix necessaria syntagmatis arcanorum chymicorum (Examen philosophiae novae...). Frankfurt: Nicolaus Hoffmann for Peter Kopff, 1615, woodcut device on title-pages



2 volumes, folio (338 x 208mm.), woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, contemporary vellum, green silk ties, bindings slightly soiled, small tear at foot of upper cover of volume 1, most ties missing

Provenance

Colloredo, ink stamp on first title-page in each volume

Literature

Ferguson ii, 31 & 33; VD17 39:125360T, 39:125409C, 39:125443H, 39:125448W; Alchymia: Duveen p.357; Appendix: Mellon 71

Condition

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."

Catalogue Note

Libavius (c. 1560-1616) was a physician and logician, and in his prolific writings he sought to separate out the occult and mystical aspects of "alchemy" (modern chemistry) and reclaim it as a proper scientific discipline in its own right, but without rejecting alchemical processes such as the transmutation of metals. Much of his work was polemical, as he fully entered into the scientific debates and controversies of his time.

This is the second enlarged edition of Alchymia (first published in 1597) which "is considered the greatest and most beautiful (because of the numerous illustrations) of all books on chemistry in the seventeenth century... Libavius can be ranked as a first-rate chemist on the basis of those parts of the book that can be considered truly chemical" (DSB VIII, p.310-311). The illustrations depict various pieces of chemical apparatus from vessels to furnaces, as well as a chemical laboratory.