MS.259

De lapide philosophico operavaria dieversorum actorum fideliter collects. Mdlii [sic]. Pen-drawings of alchemical apparatus, schematic figures, etc. on ff. 3, 29, 30, 35, 54 of the first section. On the t.p. and at the end of each section a pen-drawn floral device. The date given on the general title as 'MDLII' seems to be possibly a mistake for 'MDCLII'. The Work by Arthur Dee (1579-1651] was first published in Paris in 1631, and later translated by Elias Ashmole, at London in 1650. In both these printed editions the Author does not mention his Father, the celebrated John Dee [1527-1608].

Pantheo, G.A. Ars transmutationis metallicae. 1518: transcript, etc. (28.5ll): Fol I (In a cypher made up of semi-Greek characters) Jesvs Et Maria Et / Ioseph. / (red) Uerba propria philosophorum auree cur/cis super secreta chimica Dei gratia / a fideli et dilectissimo amico mihi huani [?] / ter elargita pro cuius anima semper Deum / rogare teneor quoniam mihi testauit. Deum ideo Precor ut mihi concedat gratiam eadem / uerba cognoscere pro eius laude et gloria / pro salute anime mee, pro auxilio paupe / rum.et pro commoditate mee familie pau / pere [sic]. Amen. (En clair) In Christi nomine amen Fratri nostro diletto Petro Alme / rigo Encherchz de deletto nostro frtre toma felice de uilla de berarchis salutem. . . The text continues recommending silence and secrecy as to the Work: 'Cave Cave Cave'. and ends on fol. Iv, line 23 '... ex / nostro deputato loco datum die 3º mensis februari an / noRomanorum iusta [sic] morem 1649 / In Fidem ego [Name in unresolved cypher] sic confirmo et concedo ut om / nes nostros alios deputatos Fratres etiam atque etiam / rogo tibique salutem precor'. This is followed by the names [in another unresolved cypher] of eleven other members of the order, each of who adds: 'Affirmo et salutem rogo', which is carried over to fol. 2. Blow these is a list of 13 rules 'Ex tabula nostrum parentum leges decretaque tibi nobisque observanda'. 2v, Line 2 (Beginning of Pantheo's tract) Expositio Litervm [sic] Schematis.// Conditor omnium rerum Deus... 28v, line 3 Sub Leone X. Pontifice msximo 3º Kal. Ja / nuarii 1519.

Alchemical work (13.5 ll): Quatuor in primis tibi osseruandum [sic] quoniam / in omni animale quatuor omnia reperiuntur / elementa ... 43, line II ... et tinget ad uitam eter / nam.

Alchemical poem in Italian: written in the semi-Greek character cypher: Fol. 43, line 13 Gia di venere un giorno / Fattosi amante il sole / ... 44, line 8 Haura da un raggio dio / Quaterno sole.

Alchemical notes (17.11): Fol. 44, line to fit lapis noster ex tribus... 61v 20. 5. 21. 17. 3 in nostro magisterio Venerem / citrinat. // Two lines of another unresolved cypher. // Lapis His Brevissimvs.

Dee, Arthur Fasciculus chemicus (47 ll): Praxis / Compositionis / Lapidis. Filvm Ariadnevm // Qvo Laboris Sophiae Labyrinto Feliciter / Invenit Exitvm // Philosophus adeptus londinas. quod filio suo uni / co Arthuro testamenti loco reliquit ex / cuius communicatione / collegiali euulgo // Decretalivm In Labore Sophiae. / Cap: Pº. // Quaenam sit Materia Phisica et unde / sumenda. // In rei ueritate materia, ex qua fit hic lapis / est tantum unica... 43 ... tunc ad fermentationem / progrediendum. Finis. ad Dei laudem. 44-47 Index.

Alchemical text beginning 'Studio namque florenti' (72 11): Fol. l Incipit Liber Magni // Lapidis Philosophici // Eivsqve Compositio // Nis, Et Operati // Onis, Prolo // GVS. // M. A. // Studio namque florenti Philosophico quam / dam philosophiae partem secretam ... 72 ... et in iuuentute con / seruat. // Deo Gratias Amen. // Finis.

Material: vellum; I 1. + 6I ff. + 47 ll. + 72 ff. 8vo.; leaf dimensions: diameter 13cm, length 19cm

Purchased 1933.