The Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Aureolus Phillipus Theophastus Bombast, called Paracelsus, The Great ( 2 Volumes ).
Chicago, IL: De Laurence, Scott & Co., 1910. "Edition DeLuxe" Hardcover. Two Volume set. Large Quartos, xvi 394pp & viii + 396pp. [ + 4pp. adverts]. Original maroon fabrikoid cloth with gilt pentacle within a sunburst design on front boards and gilt titles on spines. The de Laurence pirate edition of Waite's massive set on Paracelsus, "Reproduced from the London Edition of 1894, with a biographical preface, elucidatory notes, a copious Hermetic vocabulary and accurate Index." Paracelsus (Phillipus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim: 1493 - 1541) was one of the first of the European alchemical writers to point out the link between chemical experiment and spiritual development, and is acknowledged both as a precursor of modern scientific medicine and chemistry and as a major figure in alchemical and esoteric thought. His work is said to have had a profound effect on Dr. John Dee and Francis Barrett, and more recently on the membership of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and kindred occult groups and individuals. The editor, Arthur Edward Waite (1857-1942), was a major figure in the Victorian occult revival whose accomplishments included the introduction of the works of Eliphas Levi to the English-speaking world and the first English publication of many of the classics of alchemy. As the title suggests this edition collects Paracelsus' alchemical and hermetic writings, omitting his 'conventional' medical and scientific works. The text is translated from the Latin of the Geneva edition of 1658. Aside from editing and assembling the collection Waite also supplied the 'Short Lexicon of Alchemy' and undertook some of the translation, although most were apparently supplied by anonymous scholars. Although of quite high quality, this, the First American edition, was actually a piracy, issued by the notorious L. W. de Laurence. With typical effrontery de Laurence claimed to have edited the work, whereas in fact his involvement did not extend beyond the theft of the text. [Gilbert B13(b)]. Despite his eccentricities de Laurence played an important part in the occult history of the USA: he was a pioneer in selling occult books and supplies by mail order, and the cheap "Pow Wow" books and other books of simple magic which he published were received with great fervor by many in the American occult community. Typically de Laurence did not designate reprints of his works so it is nearly impossible to accurately identify the first editions of many of his titles. This book has the copyright date 1910 on the title-page, but the paper, binding and print are suggestive of a later printing, perhaps from the 1940s. Light chafing to boards, with the cloth somewhat rubbed at the joints, edges and points. Pages quite toned with a bit of scattered browning, but no internal markings. Very slightly shaken as common with this large and heavy set - but still the binding is solid, the text unmarked, and over all it would rate as a solid clean better than VG set (issued without dust jackets but this set includes custom cut mylar covers). Quite scarce in this edition. Item #59273
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