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D.O.M.A Commentationum Metallicarum Libri Quatuor de Natura Metallorum, Mercurio Philosophorum, Azotho, et Lapide Sevtinctura physicorum consicienda è Rerum Natura, Experiential, et Avtorum prastantiumfide. Studio & labore Andreae Libavii M.D. P. Et Physici Rotemburgici depromti & expositi, more veteris philosophiae cum perspicuitate evidente, Francofurti ad Moenum, In Officina Typographica Johannis Saurij, Impensis Petri Kopffij, 1597. FIRST EDITION! 392 pp, complete and collated, contemporary Cowley Honey Vellum stamped in 22k, 8.5 x 6.5 , 8vo. Binder: Waterstreet Bindery in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. According to the binder s notes, This book was lacking covers and a new vellum binding was required. The sewing was fairly strong but the tawed cords were breaking. The new board attachment is sewn on jaconet joints. Additionally, the linen over flax core endbands were sewn in to incorporate the head and tail panel linings which are also drawn over the board. The vellum case itself is constructed of twice lined board covered with Cowley Honey Vellum stamped in 22k. End papers of 120 gems Ruscomb Mill handmade and blanks of 60gms of the same. In good condition. Text is clean with small numerical 2 written in old hand on the front title page. Corner of last leaf slightly dogeared. General age-related toning with some foxing, heavy at times. A few ink stains, nothing truly of note. Free of known markings throughout. Very nice. Please see photos. Andreas Libavius (c.1550-1616) was a Renaissance man who spent time as a professor at the University of Jena teaching history and poetry. He became a physician at the Gymnasium at Rothenburg and later founded the Gymnasium at Coburg. He is best known for his work as an alchemist above all else. He believed that his studies in alchemy would help further advancements in the medical field. He accepted the Paracelsian principle of using occult properties to explain phenomena with no apparent cause but rejected the conclusion that a thing possessing must have an astral connection to the divine. He wrote more than 40 works in the field of logic, theology, physics, medicine, chemistry, pharmacy and poetry in the span of 25 years (1591-1616). His studies in alchemy led to many new discoveries in chemistry including how to prepare a number of chemicals like hydrochloric acid, ammonium sulfate and tin chloride. He proposed the development of a series of laboratories, called chemical houses, to make alchemy a safer practice. He was a staunch believe in chrysopeia, or the ability to transmute a metal base into gold. An incredibly scarce and unusual text on the nature of metals by Alchemist Andreas Libavius. The work Commentationum Metallicarum is a very rare additional volume to Libavius' main work Alchemia, published in the same year. RAREE1597TZBZ - 10/22 RAREE1597QZBZ - 01/25 - HKREV377. Seller Inventory # RAREE1597QZBZ
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