La Royalle Chymie de Crollius, traduite en francois par J. Marcel de Boulene.
Paris: chez Mathurin Henault, 1633. Third French Language Edition. Hardcover. 3 parts in 1 volume. Octavo. 223 (1) (ii) 210 [page 210 actually mispaginated as 538], (54) [index], 119 (15)pp. [index]. Rigid vellum wrappers with overlapping folds at fore-edge. Neat hand-written title in black ink to spine and fore-edge flap. Woodcut printer's device on title-page, occasional woodcut initials and head pieces, two woodcut drawings in-text and tables with woodcut symbols. FROM THE LIBRARY OF JOSÉPHIN PÉLADAN with his ownership signature on the title page (see further below). The third edition in French of this important alchemical treatise by Oswald Croll (Crollius: ca. 1563 – 1609) a highly-influenctial, alchemist, author and professor of medicine at the University of Marburg in Hesse, Germany. The work, which appeared for the first time in 1624 is comprised of three parts, a lengthy "Préface admonitoire: (" ... contenant les Mysteres tres profonds et plus rares de la Philosophie tant naturelle que de la Grace, touchant l'Excellence de la Medecine chymique, et Grandeur du Microcosme"), then the "Royalle chymie" itself, and finally a "Traicté des signatures, ou Vraye et vive anatomie du grand et petit monde." As noted this copy belonged to Joséphin Péladan, and has his autograph signature on the title-page. Péladan (1858-1918) was a well-known French writer, Martinist and occultist, co-founder, in 1888, with Stanislas de Guaita, of the Kabbalistic Order of the Rose-Croix, which Péladan later left, founding and heading his own Ordre du Temple de la Rose + Croix, from which blossomed the important showcase for Symbolist art the Salon de la Rose + Croix. Most recently from the renowned alchemical collection of Gonzage de Marliave with his bookplate on the front pastedown. Binding slightly splayed as often with vellum, old owner's notes in ink on front free endpaper, the final dozen (index) leaves have some bookworm damage causing small loss of text. Occasional pale brown tidemarks - although these are very pale and the pages remain supple. Overall VG antiquarian condition, a lovely and important work wih great provenance. Will require additional postage and insurance charges to those automatically quoted. Once we know the destination we will quote the appropriate extra amount needed. Item #65875
Price: $2,750.00