pdf - Roger Gaskell Rare Books

volume I consisted of parts 1–7; Neue Analekten vol. I (1832–1834), parts 8–13;
and Neue Analekten vol. I (1832–1834) parts 14–15 (see Hessische Bibliothekssystem,
HeBis). According to the BN record publication began in 1828.
74
GuIBERT, Nicolas (c. 1547–c. 1620)
De interitu alchymiae metallorum transmutatoriae tractatus...
adiuncta est eiusdem Apologia in sophistam Libavium, alchymiae
refutatae furentem calumniatorem, quae loco praefationis in eiusdem
tractatus esse possit.
Toul: apud Sebastianum Philippe, typographum Iuratum, 1614.
8vo: † 8 A–E8 F4 ; 2A–I8 (blanks 2C8, I8), 124 leaves, pp. [16] 88; 141 [3]
(including the blank leaves). Woodcut device on title, woodcut initials.
158 x 92mm. Light waterstaining and browning.
Binding: Nineteenth century half vellum.
Provenance: undeciphered signature on title dated 1739, 40 word
annotation on p. 38 (second sequence) in an eighteenth­century hand,
some marginal marking and underlining.
First edition. Wellcome 2981; Neville I, p. 558.
Originally a respected alchemist, Guibert became a vehement critic of the
profession. His Wrst published attack on alchemy was his Alchymia ratione et
experientia ita demum viriliter impugnata et expugnata (1603). This provoked a
response from Libavius, his Defensio alchymiae (1604) to which the present work
is Guibert’s justiWcation of his own position. This exchange was important in
the continuing debate over the occult sciences and the emergence of modern
science. Guibert’s works served to reinforce signiWcant, but not widely held
ideas, most importantly his demonstration that metals were distinct species
and not transmutable. This work begins with his ‘Apologia’, the refutation of
Libavius, followed by ‘Alchymia metallorum transmutatoria’.
Guibert was a native of Lorraine, studied medicine at Perugia and was
appointed alchemist to the Duke of Augsburg in 1579. At some time he
returned to Lorraine and died at Vaucouleurs, close to Toul where this book
was printed. Only about 20 books had been printed at Toul by this time.
Thorndike, VI, pp. 245–7; Martin Fichman, DSB 5: 579–80.
75
GuIDI, Guido, or VIDIuS, Vidus, (c. 1500–1569)
De anatome corporis humani libri VII. Nunc primum in lucem
editi. Atque LXXVIII. Tabulis in aes incisis illustrati et exornati.
Venice: apud Iuntas, 1611.
Folio: engraved titleleaf and a 6 A–2D 6 2E 4 , 173 leaves, pp. [12] 342 (i.e.
332, 325–334 omitted). Woodcut headpieces and initials, 78 full page engravings
printed in the text. The engraved title is signed ‘Franco. Vallegio
et Catarin Doino. sculpsit’, the anatomical engravings are unsigned.