1658 “Lucerna Salis Philosophorum.” Softcover bound in an 18th century marbled wrap. Includes a beautiful, custom-made clamshell case.
One of the most influential works of Alchemy ever printed. First Latin Edition of…
Lucerna Salis Philosophorum 1658.
Printed in Amsterdam
The full title translates to – The Salt Lamp of the Philosophers: That is, a Bare Outline of the Desired Principle of the Third Mineral of the Sendivogians, or Pontic Salt, Which is the Subject of all Wonder and the Only Academy of the Ancient Sages.
This small softcover book is a foundational alchemical work that has been cited by many of the most important Alchemists throughout the past 350 years. The pages within make allusions to the Hermetic mysteries, and cite important Alchemists such as Paracelsus.
John Ferguson discusses the work at length in his “Bibliotheca Chemica” (pp. 368 – 370) where he attributes it to Iosaphat Friederich Hautnorton on the basis of an editor’s note on p. 157 of the “Lucerna.” Heutnortton is said to be a pseudonym of the German lawyer and alchemist Johann Harprecht (1610-1660), although some scholars disagree.
This 350+ year old book is in remarkable condition and is available to add to your collection, as the only known copy in private hands and one of less than 20 in university archives worldwide.
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