Alchemy - L'AGNEAU (David). Mystical Harmony,... Lot 32

Alchemy - L'AGNEAU (David). Mystical Harmony, or Accord of the Chymic Philosophers, with the Scholies on the most difficult passages of the alleged authors, whose names are on the following pages; all by s. [David] L'Agneau, of Aix-en-Provence, counselor and ordinary physician to the King. David] L'Agneau, of Aix-en-Provence, adviser and ordinary physician to the King. Translated by Sieur Veillutil [pseud. of L'Agneau]. Paris, Melchior Mondiere, 1636. Small in-8 of [26]-482-[12]-[2] pp. with 1 folding plate representing two arcano-mystical hearts skilfully reproduced in facsimile. Brown calf, spine ribbed and decorated (restored 19th c. binding, with some old elements preserved on spine). Margins short with a few small losses of text in places, margins of table ff. eroded and restored with losses of text. Many old handwritten notes in margins. The last introductory leaf is missing, replaced by a blank leaf. A very rare first edition. Expanded translation of the "Harmonia seu Consensus Philosophorum chemicorum" (1611), reasoned and commented collection of the essential texts of alchemy. Curious and rare, it is the fruit of 22 years of assiduous work according to its author. A doctor from Aix, David Lagneau or Laigneau graduated from the University of Montpellier and finally settled in Paris in 1610. Practicing both spagyrics and astrology as integral parts of the medical art, he often referred in his works to the great masters of the Hermetic-Platonic tradition. We certainly owe him the translation of Basil Valentin's Azoth, published in 1624. In this anthology, he aims to show that the "chemical philosophers agree on a single matter, a single vessel, a single fire, and a single operation, and that the diversity of names does not make the thing diverse. He also seeks to demonstrate "that a single book is sufficient for the research, cognition, and enjoyment of what is called the Philosopher's Stone. This ambition was fully realised if we are to believe Eugène Canseliet, who wrote in Alchimie: "The student will understand the particular importance of Laigneau's major work for him, which provides an excellent solution to the complicated puzzle submitted by the authors. Laigneau, like Paracelsus, another physician, was also praised, especially for his sagacity, by Fulcanelli himself. "Very curious and rare alchemical treatise with a double plate engraved with hieroglyphic escutcheons." Caillet (5978). Dorbon 2437: "curious and rare, where it is demonstrated all that is necessary for what is called the operation of the philosopher's stone.