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, Italian -- 18th century.
Manuscripts, European.

Language:

Italian.

Summary:

Collection of instructions for alchemical processes and experiments.

Notes:

Ms. codex.
Title supplied by cataloger.
Foliation: Paper, 184 leaves; [1-184]; irregular contemporary foliation in ink, modern foliation in pencil, upper right recto. All references in this record are to modern foliation.
Script: Written in various cursive and semi-cursive scripts by multiple hands.
Decoration: Several pen and ink diagrams (for example, f. 67r, 68v, 141r); alchemical symbols used throughout.
Binding: Contemporary parchment. Front and back pastedowns have come loose.
Origin: Written in Italy 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. 618A, 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:

Occult and Alchemical Compilation (Ms. Codex 1701). 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:

918987946

Web link:

Unique at Penn blog post