Details

Subjects:

Alchemy -- Early works to 1800.
Alchemy.
Occultism -- Early works to 1800.
Occultism.

Form/Genre:

Codices.
Dictionaries.
Manuscripts, English.
Manuscripts, European.

Language:

English, with occasional words in Greek and Hebrew.

Summary:

The first and third parts of a French mytho-Hermetic dictionary translated into English, most likely by Charles Rainsford, with a preface (V. 1, p. iii-xxi). Also includes a leaf laid into the beginning of v. 1 that is addressed to "General Rainsford, Soho Square", with the remains of a wax seal that has been torn away.

Notes:

Ms. codex.
Title from title page (v. 1, p. 21).
Pagination: V.1: Paper, 185 leaves; [i-xxvi], 1-102, 102, 104-344; contemporary pagination in ink, upper outer corners. V. 2: Paper, 188 leaves; [ii], 1-289, [290-374]; contemporary pagination in ink, upper outer corners.
Script: Written in a cursive script in the hand of Charles Rainsford.
Decoration: Alchemical symbols throughout.
Binding: V. 1: Contemporary parchment. V. 2: Contemporary half leather with marbled paper boards. Second volume has severe moisture damage, particularly to the lower corners of the first and last few leaves.
Origin: Written in England in October 1798 (V.1, p. xxi) and 27 November 1799 (V. 2, p. 289).

Local notes:

Purchased with support from the B. H. Breslauer Foundation.

Penn Provenance:

Formerly owned by Charles Rainsford (British army officer, fellow of the Royal Society, and alchemist); bequeathed by Rainsford to Hugh Percy, Second Duke of Northumberland.
Owned by the 2nd through 12th Dukes of Northumberland, ms. 597 and 598, Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, 1809-2014 (bookplate, inside upper cover; stamps throughout).
Sold at auction at Sotheby's (London), 15 July 2014, as part of Lot 411.

Cited as:

UPenn Ms. Codex 1686.

Contributor:

Rainsford, Charles, 1728-1809, former owner.
Northumberland, Hugh Percy, Duke of, 1742-1817, former owner.
Charles Rainsford Collection of Alchemical and Occult Manuscripts (University of Pennsylvania)

OCLC:

913799582

Web link:

Unique at Penn blog post