Alchimie - Lot n° 26

CASTAIGNE (Gabriel de). The Works of the R.P. Gabriel de Castaigne, both medicinal and chymical, divided into four main tracts. I. The Earthly Paradise. II. The great miracle of metallic nature. III. The Potable Gold. IV. The Philosophical Thresor of Metal Medicine. Second Edition. To which are added the Basilian Aphorisms, & the particular method for making the wonderful Ointment called Manus Dei. Paris, Jean d'Hourry, 1661. 4 parts in one vol. in-8 of 93-78-146-15 pp. Missing pp. 43-50 of the Potable Gold, replaced here by photocopies. Ivory vellum, smooth spine, handwritten title (period binding). "This general title was placed by J. B. de la Noue, reviser of the works of Castaigne, at the head of the Paradis Terrestre, vol. of 20-94 pp. The other treaties have separate paginations. This Paradis Terrestre is a mixture of recipes of medicine and operations of alchemy, whose base is always the drinking Gold. The works of this R. P. Cordelier are very rare and sought after by adepts." Caillet (2059). Dorbon n°635 : "These different treatises together form one of the most complete collections on spagyric medicine that we have ever come across... One also notices numerous attestations of important people that Castaigne would have treated or cured... [here unfortunately missing and replaced by copies]".