c. 1650 - Book of Secrets, Alchemy and Magic
Girolamo Ruscelli - Les Secrets du Seigneur Alexis Piedmontois (The Secrets of Alexis of Piedmont). First published in 1555, this “Book of Secrets” has enjoyed phenomenal success, with 266 editions and has been translated into six languages. It’s now believed that Girolamo Ruscelli was indeed the self-same as the infamous alchemist Alexius Pedemontanus. Indeed, this 1555 volume would ignite the firestorm of “books of secrets” that would prove popular until the 1790s. The question isn’t what this volume contains, but what doesn’t it? Alchemy, magic, medicine, cosmetics, dyes, paints, poisons and mind-altering compounds just to start. Indeed, it’s the result less of one author but of a kind of pre-scientific research institute headed up by Ruscelli. In this way it can be said to be the published papers of what may be the first true scientific research program. An absolutely fascinating volume brimming with alchemical secrets. But, with one caveat: it’s sadly missing the first couple of pages, including the title page, along with an alchemical preparation for the genitals on 273-274 but is otherwise complete in 645 along with an extensive table of contents. The missing sections can be consulted in numerous other editions. Yes, a slightly defective edition but one clearly owned by someone that seems to have put some of these ‘secrets’ to use. However, I would not suggest applying any of these alchemical treatments to your genitals.
Mid-17th century. Girolamo Ruscelli, Les Secrets du Seigneur Alexis Piedmontois. Title and first page missing, 273/4 missing snippet with ink damage. Leather over boards, some wormholing. Gilding and title on spine Leather missing from covers with typical rubbing and wear. Front and rear blanks present, doodles on rear blank. 645 pages + extensive Table of Contents. Binding remains solid. Fair copy.
Girolamo Ruscelli - Les Secrets du Seigneur Alexis Piedmontois (The Secrets of Alexis of Piedmont). First published in 1555, this “Book of Secrets” has enjoyed phenomenal success, with 266 editions and has been translated into six languages. It’s now believed that Girolamo Ruscelli was indeed the self-same as the infamous alchemist Alexius Pedemontanus. Indeed, this 1555 volume would ignite the firestorm of “books of secrets” that would prove popular until the 1790s. The question isn’t what this volume contains, but what doesn’t it? Alchemy, magic, medicine, cosmetics, dyes, paints, poisons and mind-altering compounds just to start. Indeed, it’s the result less of one author but of a kind of pre-scientific research institute headed up by Ruscelli. In this way it can be said to be the published papers of what may be the first true scientific research program. An absolutely fascinating volume brimming with alchemical secrets. But, with one caveat: it’s sadly missing the first couple of pages, including the title page, along with an alchemical preparation for the genitals on 273-274 but is otherwise complete in 645 along with an extensive table of contents. The missing sections can be consulted in numerous other editions. Yes, a slightly defective edition but one clearly owned by someone that seems to have put some of these ‘secrets’ to use. However, I would not suggest applying any of these alchemical treatments to your genitals.
Mid-17th century. Girolamo Ruscelli, Les Secrets du Seigneur Alexis Piedmontois. Title and first page missing, 273/4 missing snippet with ink damage. Leather over boards, some wormholing. Gilding and title on spine Leather missing from covers with typical rubbing and wear. Front and rear blanks present, doodles on rear blank. 645 pages + extensive Table of Contents. Binding remains solid. Fair copy.
Girolamo Ruscelli - Les Secrets du Seigneur Alexis Piedmontois (The Secrets of Alexis of Piedmont). First published in 1555, this “Book of Secrets” has enjoyed phenomenal success, with 266 editions and has been translated into six languages. It’s now believed that Girolamo Ruscelli was indeed the self-same as the infamous alchemist Alexius Pedemontanus. Indeed, this 1555 volume would ignite the firestorm of “books of secrets” that would prove popular until the 1790s. The question isn’t what this volume contains, but what doesn’t it? Alchemy, magic, medicine, cosmetics, dyes, paints, poisons and mind-altering compounds just to start. Indeed, it’s the result less of one author but of a kind of pre-scientific research institute headed up by Ruscelli. In this way it can be said to be the published papers of what may be the first true scientific research program. An absolutely fascinating volume brimming with alchemical secrets. But, with one caveat: it’s sadly missing the first couple of pages, including the title page, along with an alchemical preparation for the genitals on 273-274 but is otherwise complete in 645 along with an extensive table of contents. The missing sections can be consulted in numerous other editions. Yes, a slightly defective edition but one clearly owned by someone that seems to have put some of these ‘secrets’ to use. However, I would not suggest applying any of these alchemical treatments to your genitals.
Mid-17th century. Girolamo Ruscelli, Les Secrets du Seigneur Alexis Piedmontois. Title and first page missing, 273/4 missing snippet with ink damage. Leather over boards, some wormholing. Gilding and title on spine Leather missing from covers with typical rubbing and wear. Front and rear blanks present, doodles on rear blank. 645 pages + extensive Table of Contents. Binding remains solid. Fair copy.