Manuscript on paper of an alchemical compilation, apparently the holograph of the original compiler, not identified. Probably the laboratory notes of a practicing alchemist. Includes lists of Flemish names, apparently identifying fellow practitioners in early alchemy; and laboratory procedures, designed primarily to color metals and to carry out other operations with various substances. Leaves inserted and blank pages filled at later dates.
Description:
Binding: Probably original. Stiff parchment over paper boards, flaps over the fore-edge, probably dating from about 1525, conceivably later, as the manuscript contents do not appear to have been bound at the time of writing in any case; flat spine with modern inscription in brown ink, "Alchemical, Headings of procedures in red and blue alternating in the original section, and with some capitals stroked red; no color in the additions. No ornament., Recipes, original blue edges., Script: The original part of the codex (ff. 1-133) written in a very fine, neat, and clear humanistic hand, and using a considerable range of alchemical symbols; the later additions (ff. 134-145) consist of Latin sections written in a neat italic and German passages in flowing cursive, perhaps both by a single German hand of the 18th century., Though the whole of the manuscript has suffered some marginal water-staining since it was bound, it appears certain that other stains and damage occurred while the separated quires, or groups of them, remained unbound., and Watermark: Outstretched hand, the fingerjoints indicated, a four-leafed petal extending from the tip of the third finger, the wrist and cuff of a sleeve also depicted, comparable to Briquet 11423.
Subject (Topic):
Alchemy--Early works to 1800, Manuscripts, Medieval--Connecticut--New Haven, Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in Beinecke Library, and Science, Medieval
Johannes, de Rupescissa, ca. 1300-ca. 1365 Llull, Ramon, 1232?-1316
Published / Created:
1528
Call Number:
Mellon MS 30
Image Count:
327
Resource Type:
Archives or Manuscripts
Abstract:
Alchemical miscellany, compiled in 1528, perhaps by Niclaus of Sweden, who appears to have signed the last procedure in the volume on f. cclxxxxviiij verso
Description:
Binding: Original blind-stamped brown calf over beveled wooden boards, the sides paneled in vertical patterns of roll tools, two brass catches on upper cover, remains of brass attachments for clasps on the lower; the original backstrip with three raised bands laid down; plain edges; restored by Carolyn Horton, New York, and with a leather title label on the backstrip supplied by her., ff. 322v-346r blank and not scanned. Signatures 2R, 2S, 2T, 2V noted at 329r, 335r, 339r, and 341r, respectively., ff. 348, of which ff. 1-18 are unnumbered, ff. 19- 317 are correctly numbered i-cclxxxxviiij by the scribe, the remaining ff. 318-348 originally blank and unnumbered now partly with later additions, ff. 18 and 322-346 blank, the last leaf serving as the end pastedown., On paper., Script: Very neat and clear gothic cursives, captions by the same hand, written in two parts, the second beginning at f. 201r., Some red sentence-strokes and underlining; red captions and chapter headings with minimal elaboration, carefully laid out on the page, also pen line-fillers at end of each section, as needed for text spacing. A penned brown and red crown as folk symbol at left margin of f. 135r. Infrequent sketches of alchemical vessels in brown or red at side margins, some very slightly trimmed., and Watermarks: 1) a long-stemmed cross above a bull's head; 2) a six-lobed arc above and each lobe surmounted by a three-lobed cross; 3) a crown. All with vertical chain marks, trimmed, not identified.
Subject (Name):
Duveen, Denis I., bookplate, Johannes, de Rupescissa, ca. 1300-ca. 1365. Liber de consideratione quintae essentiae omnium rerum. German, and Llull, Ramon, 1232?-1316
Manuscript on paper of John of Rupescissa, De consideratione quinte essentie, anonymously translated into German.
Description:
Binding: Original reddish brown polished leather over finely beveled wooden boards, troughs for two clasps and two spikes on front cover, each cover with five nipplelike wrought brass bosses, one at each corner and one in the center, the lower cover with two large brass roundels used to fasten the now-missing strap ties which emerged from the lower fore-edge; sides ruled to a simple geometric pattern, back with raised bands, the clasps now missing and the hinges cracked, but the binding sound., Headings and capitals (a few decorated) in red throughout., and Script: Written by a very fine and bold German gothic cursive hand.
Subject (Name):
Johannes,--de Rupescissa,--ca. 1300-ca. 1365
Subject (Topic):
Alchemy--Early works to 1800, Manuscripts, Medieval--Connecticut--New Haven, and Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in Beinecke Library
Herolt, Johann Nicolaus, von Dinkelsbühl, approximately 1360-1433
Published / Created:
1444
Call Number:
Marston MS 141
Image Count:
259
Resource Type:
Archives or Manuscripts
Abstract:
Manuscript on paper (thick) of 1) Five lines of verse on the proper formulaic conclusion to prayers addressed to members of the Trinity. 2) Nicolaus de Dinkelsbuehl, De septem peccatis capitalibus (Confessionale). 3) Latin and German names of the books of the Bible; Latin and German names of Aristotle's principal works; Latin names of the Minor Prophets; etc. 4) Johannes Herolt ("Discipulus"), Sermones dominicales. 5) Johannes Herolt, Sermo in festo Iohannis Baptiste.
Alternative Title:
Nicolaus de Dinkelsbuehl; Johannes Herolt, etc.
Description:
Binding stays from this and other parchment manuscripts, s. xiii-xiv, inserted throughout., Binding: Fifteenth century, Germany. The backs of the quires are cut in. Original sewing on three double supports is laced into almost flush wooden boards, and the tawed skin cores of braided endbands, sewn through the cover, are also laced. The spine is back cornered with lining extending between supports on the outside of the boards. Large vermilion and sepia roses are painted on each edge. Back pastedown (and perhaps the inner front pastedown, covered by paper) consists of a parchment bifolium (Germany, 1200-1250) containing the Sermones de tempore of Johannes Halgrinus de Abbatisvilla. Written in small neat early gothic bookhand, above top line. Binding stays from this and other parchment manuscripts, 13th-14th centuries. Covered in kermes pink skin blind-tooled with an X in a frame on the front board, tying-up marks on the spine, and a frame on the lower one. Five round, brass bosses on each board and one fastening, the catch inset on the upper board, the lower one cut in for the strap., Crude red initials, 3- to 2-line, throughout; ff. 33v-38r, 113v-114v and 166r-203r rubricated., Imperfect: leaves 123r-124r and 207r-v mutilated., Purchased in 1946 from H. Rosenthal by H. P. Kraus, who sold it in 1957 to Thomas E. Marston., Script: Written by multiple scribes in varying styles of gothic hybrida and bookhand scripts., and Watermarks, in gutter: similar to Briquet Monts 11786 and unidentified bull's head.
Subject (Name):
Dinkelsbuehl, Nicolaus de and John,--the Baptist, Saint
Subject (Topic):
Church year sermons, Confession--Catholic Church, Manuscripts, Medieval--Connecticut--New Haven, Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in Beinecke Library, and Sermons--Early works to 1800