[Heirs of Eberhard Zetzner] - Theatrum Chemicum, præcipuos selectorum auctorum tractatus de Chemiæ et Lapidis Philosophici - 1622

Theatrum Chemicum, præcipuos selectorum auctorum tractatus de Chemiæ et Lapidis Philosophici Antiquitate, veritate, jure præstantia, et operationibus continens. Volumen quintum. - [Heirs of Eberhard Zetzner]

Argentorati [Strasbourg]: Sumptibus Hæredum Lazari Zetzneri, 1622. [8], 1009, [31] pages. 17cm x 10cm. Full vellum binding with hand-lettered spine. First edition of the fifth volume of the Theatrum Chemicum (a compendium of early alchemical writing) which contains treatises from various authors about the philosopher’s stone, transmutation as well as a transcription of one of the oldest known alchemical manuscripts, the “Turba Philosophorum” (the congregation of philosophers). This volume features works from Senior Zadith filius Hamuelis, Petrus Bonus, Michael Scotus, Thomas Aquinas, Roger Bacon, among others as well as anonymous authors. Comes with and engraved title vignette, an engraved frontispiece (facing page 219), some engraved figures, as well as engraved initials and head- and tailpieces.
Rubbing, bumping, wear, and some soiling to the boards and spine. There were two strings on each board to tie the book shut, but they are now either missing or torn off. Pencil markings on the front free endpaper. Pen inscriptions and Ex Libris stamp on the title page. Pencil markings in the table of contents. Pen markings on pages 214-215, 241-246, 263, 797-805, and 901-906. Soiling and ink blots on pages 51-52, and 231-235. The front free endpaper is quite creased, as are pages 437-439, and 955-956. There is a small hole in the top of the title page, not affecting the content. Pages 210-224 are counted as leaves. In the index section one page has the bottom corner torn off, not affecting the content. Bookworm holes in the back free and pastedown endpapers. The text and illustrations are bright, and the binding is solid. Overall, and considering its age, a copy in very good- condition.