Details

Subjects:

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

Form/Genre:

codices (bound manuscripts)
compilation manuscripts.
diagrams.
drawings (visual works)
manuals (instructional materials)
Manuscripts, English -- 18th century.
Manuscripts, European.

Summary:

Instructions for alchemical processes such as transmutation, sublimation, and multiplication, with practical applications such as curing diseases (p. 15), embalming bodies (p. 31), and neutralizing viper venom and poisonous black hellebore (p. 34). Includes an alphabetical index (p. 631-642).

Notes:

Ms. codex.
Title supplied by cataloger.
Pagination: Paper, 324 leaves; [iv], 1-321, 321-336, [337-643]; contemporary pagination in ink, upper outer corners.
Layout: Written in 18-19 long lines.
Script: Written in a cursive script in the hand of Charles Rainsford.
Decoration: Pen and ink drawing of the Hand of the Philosopher, an alchemical emblem signifying apotheosis (p. 193); drawings of alchemical apparatus and symbols throughout.
Binding: Contemporary half leather with marbled paper boards. Upper cover and first leaf nearly detached.
Origin: Written in England in 1797 (p. i).

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. 602, 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:

Alchemical Compilation (Ms. Codex 1690). Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania.

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:

913875416

Web link:

Unique at Penn blog post

Access Restriction:

Access to this item is subject to staff review.