Miscellanea Alchemica XIX

Collection of alchemical and pharmacy receipts, etc.: in two parts. The first containing receipts for cordials and 'waters': the second alchemical and chemical receipts and extracts. Written mainly in German, but with some sections in Latin. Part I (31 ff.) 'Appotekh'. In German throughout, containing receipts for 'waters', cordials, etc. On fol. 3v 'Ein aqua vite das do braucht hat hertzog Albrecht Byschoff zu Strassburg Anno domini iii Jar' [1503] (he died in 1506). Ff. 17-18 'Appotekherische Namen der Krewtter'. Part II (66 ff.) 'Hernach volgt von "Friclein" 9 Pletter': alchemical receipts, etc. (ff. 1-10). Ff. 10v-12 similar receipts headed 'Kachelofen'. 13-19 'Hernach von "Friclein" 6 Pletter'. 25-33 'Hernach von "Friclein" 9 Pletter'. This contains a German version of the Pseudo-Aristotelian 'Secreta' on Alchemy. The second line states: 'Hye wirt/erlost der spruch Aristotelis der an dem in Archano Aristoteles spricht'. 34-36 Alchemical receipts in Latin headed 'Kachelofen'. 34-47 'In nomine Domini Amen. Incipit Rosarius minor': a German version of the alchemical work usually ascribed to Hortulanus. Fol 58 'Practica Iorgii Ungari data Heinrico Yssenach'. This and the following two leaves are headed 'Kachelofen'. Ff. 51-54 Alchemical receipts in German and Latin. 55-61 Alchemical receipts in Latin headed 'Di stuk hernach folgend Kommen von herrn Hanns Aychelsburg, 6 Platter. Scientia ad extrahendum quintam essentiam a ferro et cupro etc. ut parbit'. 62-60 Alchemical receipts in German, the first leaf headed 'Kachelofen 1 Platter'. Inside the upper cover is a marginal pen-drawing of the herb 'Lunaria', a plant frequently associated with Alchemy. Inscribed outside the upper cover 'Ex haereditate Neussiana' (i.e. Georg Heinrich Neuss, German theologian [1654-1716]).

Early 16th century

1 volume 31 ff. + 66 ff. + 6 ll. (last 2 bl.) + 16 ll. 4to 22 x 16 cm. Unbound. Original [?] vellum cover from a deed containing the marriage contract between Hans Vischer and Margaretha von Marckt, dated Ingolstadt 1430. Ff. 27-29 are missing in the first part, and the lower half of fol. 30 cut away: in the second part ff. 21, 22 and 24 are wanting. The 16 ll. at the end contain two Indexes and are of different format, measuring 15 x 6 1/2 cm. and 22 x 8 cm.: they are apparently by the same hand as that of the main text.

Purchased 1931.

The reading of the name, given above as 'Friclein', is doubtful. On the first leaf of Part II is an inscription 'Est Jacobi Oethei medici', and there are entries by him on ff. 20v, 23, 48v, 60v and 61, including extracts from alchemical writings by Paracelsus. Jacob Oethaeus is mentioned by Jocher in his 'Allgemeines Gelehrten-Lexicon', and by Haller 'Bibliotheca Medicinae practicae', as the Author of a work 'Vom wahren Gebrauch der Arzney', published at Dillingen in 1574: he also according to Jocher had some connection with Ingolstadt. A Conrad Kachelofen is recorded as a printer in Leipzig from 1485-he died in 1528. There is also a Johann Kachelofen who was a printer at Ingolstadt 1492-1499. Iorgius Ungarus (fol. 48) is perhaps George of Croatia mentioned by Thorndike in his History of Magic and Experimental Science. Vol. IV, p. 348.

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973).