The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus, of the Virtues of Herbs, Stones, and Certain Beasts, also a Book of the Marvels of the World.
New York: Oxford University Press, 1974. First Paperback edition. Softcover. Small octavo. xlviii + 128pp. B/w frontis & illustrations. A work attributed to the noted alchemist 'Albertus Magnus,' but most likely compiled by one of his followers from a variety of earlier sources. Like other "books of secrets" it deals with "the marvellous properties, real or imagined, of beasts, herbs, stones, and the human body." It is in effect, a mixture of herbal, astrological text, folk-medicine and occult lore, and was a genre immensely popular in the middle ages. The text of this edition is based on that of the First English edition, which was published in about 1550, and includes charming reproductions of early woodcuts. Covers a bit rubbed overall, a bit of light creasing and chafing at edges, small hole punched through lower corner of upper cover, inside of covers unevenly browned, pages lightly browned. Still a tight, unmarked VG copy. Item #67414
ISBN: 0195197860
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