- 64
Trismosin, Salomon
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Trismosin, Salomon
- [Splendor Solis] La toyson d'or, ou la fleur des thresors, en laquelle est succinctement & methodiquement traicté de la Pierre des Philosophes, de son excellence, effects & vertu admirable. Paris: Charles Sevestre, 1613
- Paper
JEAN DE MEUNG. Le miroir dalquimie... avec la table d'Emeraude d'Hermes Trismegiste, & le commentaire de l'Ortulain sur ladite table. Paris: Charles Sevestre, 1612
2 works in one volume, 8vo (162 x 100mm.), woodcut initials and headpieces, 21 (of 22) eighteenth-century pen and ink drawings with coloured washes pasted to spaces in text, in first part 12 leaves lacking (C3, C7, D2, E1, E3-5, E7, F4-5, G6 and H2) and supplied in eighteenth-century manuscript on blue paper, contemporary red morocco with gilt fillet border and corner fleurons, flat spine gilt with tan morocco lettering-piece, gilt edges, first work lacking engraved title-page and first illustration, wormhole throughout second part with some paper repairs and occasional slight loss of text
2 works in one volume, 8vo (162 x 100mm.), woodcut initials and headpieces, 21 (of 22) eighteenth-century pen and ink drawings with coloured washes pasted to spaces in text, in first part 12 leaves lacking (C3, C7, D2, E1, E3-5, E7, F4-5, G6 and H2) and supplied in eighteenth-century manuscript on blue paper, contemporary red morocco with gilt fillet border and corner fleurons, flat spine gilt with tan morocco lettering-piece, gilt edges, first work lacking engraved title-page and first illustration, wormhole throughout second part with some paper repairs and occasional slight loss of text
Provenance
M. Goislard de Monsabert, Conseiller au Parlement, armorial bookplate; André Breton, bookplate (designed by Salvador Dali), his sale, Paris, April 2003, lot 783
Literature
Trismosin: Caillet 10840; Ferguson ii, 470; both works: Duveen p.587 & 308 (also bound together)
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."
"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
ANDRÉ BRETON'S COPY. Trismosin is a shadowy figure, traditionally thought to be the teacher of Paracelsus, and thought to be the author of the Splendor Solis, an alchemical text known in several fine illuminated manuscripts of the sixteenth century, and first published in Rorschach in 1598. Sevestre first issued this French translation in 1612, and the illustrations in this copy are close copies of the 1598 German edition.
The treatise by Trismosin was issued with 22 engravings, which do not seem to have been printed in this copy, and they have been supplied as original coloured drawings (though without the first illustration) which have been pasted in at the appropriate places.
There is a note on the front flyleaf stating that the book was bound on 4 March 1786, having been purchased on the isle of San Domingo ten years earlier.