Correspondence

Holograph copies of correspondence between himself and Paul Reybet, and others; mainly from 2 April, 1892, to 21 March, 1893, on alchemical matters. With inserted original letters, etc. from other contemporary French alchemists. Copies of Poisson's own letters are in red ink. Illustrated by a few pen-drawn diagrams of alchemical apparatus, etc. The inserted A.l.s. are as under: Poisson (A.) & Bernard (Lucien). Agreement signed by both parties to form a 'Société Hermétique' dated 9 & 11/1/1885. Written by Bernard. Frayed. (2½ pp.). Hallopeau (L. A.). Two letters dated St. Pierre Pontpoint, 20/8/1892 and 25/8/1892, to Poisson on artificial gems. (2 pp., 4 pp.). Poisson (A.). Three letters to Bernard [?] on alchemical matters, dated 30/3/1893 (4 pp.), 20/4/1893 (3 pp.), one n.d. (2 pp.). Reybet (Paul). Letters to Poisson on the same, dated St. Dizier 31/3/1893 (4 pp.), 3/4/1893 (4 pp.), 17/4/1893 (3 pp.), 5/5/1893 (4 pp.), n.d. (2 pp.). Letter to an unnamed correspondent, dated Montpellier 26/1/1897, referring to Poisson and his proposed Alchemical Society, and a project for publishing the correspondence between Poisson and himself to be issued under the pseudonym of 'P. Sair'. (3 pp.). Produced in Paris.

1885-1897

1 volume 32 ll., 12 inserted A.l.s. folio. 291/2 × 19 cm. Original cloth binding damaged. Written in a large ruled exercise book, the remainder of which is blank.

Purchased at Sotheby's (Hauser Sale), 18/4/1934, Lot 452 (part).

From the Library of Lionel Hauser of Paris with his press-mark label 'L.H. 64 bis.'

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).