The Mirror of Alchemy
Los Angeles: Pegacycle Lady and The Globe Bookstore, 1975.
Limited Edition. Hardcover.
#71 of a Limited Edition of 250 copies. Composed by the thrice-famous and learned Frier, Roger Bacon (1214-1294), sometimes fellow of Martin College: and afterwards of Brasen-nose College in Oxenforde. With the Smaragdine Table of Hermes, Trismegistus of Alchemy.
A treatise on the art of alchemy known in Latin as Speculum Alchemiae and first translated into English in 1597.
Bacon describes alchemy as a "science teaching how to make and compound a certain medicine, which is called Elixir, the which when it cast upon metals or imperfect bodies, does fully perfect them in the very projection." Further, "nature always intends and strives to the perfection of Gold." Chapters include:
- Of the Definitions of Alchemy
- Of the natural principles, and procreation of Minerals (Gold, Copper, Steel, Lead, Copper, & Iron)
- Out of what things the matter of Elixir must be more nearly extracted
- Of the manner of working, and of moderating, and continuing the fire
- Of the quality of the Vessel and Furnace
- Of the accidental and essential colours appearing in the work
- How to make projection of the medicine upon any imperfect body
6-3/4 x 10-1/4", quarter light gray linen with off-white paper title label on spine printed in black, marbled paper over boards, 18pp.
Two small nicks to linen spine, externally near fine; internally clean, bright, very fine.
Price: $400.00