Lives of Alchemystical Philosophers. Based on Materials Collected in 1815 and Supplemented by Recent Researches with a Philosophical Demonstration of the True Principles of the Magnum Opus or Great Work of Alchemical Re-Construction and some Account of Spiritual Chemistry.
London: George Redway, 1888. First Edition Thus. Hardcover. Large octavo. 320pp (+ 40pp "Catalogue of Remarkable books published by Mr. George Redway, 1887" tipped in at rear). Original brown cloth boards. Spine double blind-stamped rules and gilt titling. Upper and lower covers blindstamped with multiple rules and small corner ornaments. Gilbert B3.
Originally published anonymously in 1815, the identity of the author of the work remains unknown, although it is sometimes ascribed - apparently wrongly - to Francis Barrett. Waite's contribution was largely editorial: he revised many of the biographies and added that of Cagliostro. The work also includes an interesting, but sometimes inaccurate, bibliography of alchemy and hermetic philosophers.
Hint of shelf-wear, touch of bruising to head and tail of spine and points. Endpaper hinges cracking but holding firm. Some pages unopened, edges of text-block toned and with a little flecking. A little pale flecking (foxing) to the first and last leave. Still overall a tight, clean VG+ example of the true first edition and quite scarce thus (no dust jacket issue). Item #73005
Price: $875.00