Catalogue of Books on Hermetic Philosophy, being the Entire Collection of General E. A. Hitchcock - Gathered by him during many years, and at much cost, and it is believed to be the most extensive and valuable collection of its peculiar class in this country, and comprises many unique volumes. Such a collection, undoubtedly, could not now be made. As General Hitchcock does not design to have the Books scattered through his immediate agency, the whole is now offered, in one lot, at Private Sale only.... Address ... Messrs. Bangs, Merwin & Co.
Edmonds, WA: Alchemical Press, ND [ 1988 ]. Reprint. Softcover. Octavo. 24pp. Stapled printed card wrappers, lettered in black. The catalogue of an impressive collection of Hermetic books from the library of Ethan Allen Hitchcock that were offered for sale, circa 1868. Hitchcock (1798-1870), was a US General and friend of Abraham Lincoln's with a passion for alchemy and occult. He wrote numerous works, including "Remarks upon Alchemy and Alchemists" (1857), in which he put forward the then-novel argument that alchemists were actually religious philosophers speaking in the language of symbolism. Not long before his death Hitchcock entrusted his library of Hermetica to Bangs, Merwins & Co., apparently to ensure that the collection was kept intact and not dispersed post-mortem. The catalogue lists some 318 books and manuscripts. Most simply give the author, title, and basic publication details, although some make comment on the content of the works. It gives a good record of a truly extraordinary collection. Light shelf wear, wrappers a little darkened and with faint price sticker shadows on both covers - but still a tight, unmarked VG+ copy. Item #67421
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