Details

Subjects:

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

Form/Genre:

Codices.
Manuals (instructional materials)
Prescriptions.
Recipes.
Manuscripts, English.
Manuscripts, European.

Summary:

Collection of alchemical experiments, medical prescriptions and recipes. The first section is devoted to the discussion of the 16th-century Irish alchemist William Butler's discovery and usage of the philosopher's stone and includes instructions for its preparation and application in curing ailments (p. 1-37). Subsequent sections include medical remedies such as an elixir for both fevers and smallpox (p. 65) and a salt that cures numerous illnesses such as gout, scurvy, rheumatism, and lost appetite (p. 55-56). Alchemical processes include transmutation of metals (p. 116, 143) and a method for creating a salt with many uses including reviving animals that have nearly suffocated (p. 140), removing the rancid taste from olive oil and making it sweet again (p. 140), and preserving fruits, flowers, and herbs (p. 129). Other sections contain instructions for making essence of vipers (p. 66) and how to create a perpetually burning light (p. 147). Also includes an alphabetical index (p. 280-291).

Notes:

Ms. codex.
Title from title page (p. i).
Pagination: Paper, 141 leaves; [ii], 1-130, 140-197, [198-291]; contemporary pagination in ink, upper outer corners.
Script: Written in a cursive script in the hand of Charles Rainsford.
Binding: Contemporary parchment. Front and back pastedowns have come loose.
Origin: Written in England in the second half of the 18th century.

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. 618, 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 1700.

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:

918950899

Web link:

Unique at Penn blog post