pdf - Roger Gaskell Rare Books

First edition. This was reprinted, under a slightly diVerent title, in
Populär-wissenschaftliche vorlesung (1896 and later editions), translated
into English as Popular scientiWc lectures (1895 and later editions).
128
MAIER, Michael (1568?–1622)
Arcana arcanissima, hoc est Hieroglyphica aegyptio­graeca, vulgo
necdum cognita, ad demonstrandam falsorum apud antiquos deorum,
dearum, heroum, animantium, & institutorum pro sacris receptorum.
[London]: [Thomas Creed], 1613?
4to: p2 (p1 + A4) B–2P4 2Q2 , 156, pp. [12] 285 [15]. Engraved title on
p1r, letterpress on verso, full page engraving on p2r, letterpress on verso.
181 x 135mm. Engraved title cut close and frayed at the foot; old repair
in upper margin of A1; sigs 2L and 2M on diVerent paper stock and
browned.
Binding: Contemporary or slightly later vellum boards, brown sprinkled
edges. Board edges chewed in a few places (by an insect or a rodent?),
soiled.
Provenance: Contemporary or early inscription on free endleaf ‘Joannes
Baptista Biliorius à Lucerna’; bookplate removed from pastedown.
Walter Pagel’s signature, undated, on pastedown.
First edition, undated issue with engraved title. Entered to Thomas Creed
in the Stationer’s Register 28 May 1613 and probably issued in that
year; another issue has a letterpress title dated 1614; a re­issue under
the title De hieroglyphicis Aegyptiorum is dated 1625 (see below). STC
17196.5; ESTC S111892; Duveen p. 380; Manly Hall Collection 98.
The Arcana arcanissima is an attempt to re­interpret Egyptian and Greek
mythology as a symbolic or mythic forerunner of alchemy. ‘Maier’s simple, if
extravagant, claim was that the whole of Egyptian and classical mythology was
merely an allegorical exposition of the alchemical process... In his Wrst work,
Arcana Arcanissima (The Most Secret of Secrets), published apparently in 1614,
the author seeks to show the deeper, more original meanings which lie behind
ancient myths... Throughout this extraordinary work the author is at pains
to reiterate that knowledge of every kind originated with the Egyptians, from
whom it passed to the Greeks, Romans and others.’ (Sheppard, p. 53.)
‘All of Maier’s treatises are written with great erudition and display
substantial knowledge of mythology and ancient history. They are classic
examples of the neo­Hermetic manner having no clear chemical sense.’
(Wlodzimierz Hubici, DSB 9:24a).
This is Maier’s Wrst book and the only one of his works to be published
in England, during his visit between 1612 and 1614. He was not impressed
with England, but he met Robert Fludd, Sir William Paddy, President of the
London College of Physicans (to whom some copies of Arcana Arcanissma
are dedicated) and other philosophers. On returning to Germany he helped
to arrange the publication of Fludd’s works at Frankfurt. Maier’s works are