(Kertzenmacher, Petrus) | Alchimia, the rare fourth edition

(Kertzenmacher, Petrus)

Alchimia, Das ist, Alle Farben, Wasser, Olea, Salia, und Alumina, damit mann alle Corpora, Spiritus unnd Calces Prepariert, Sublimiert unnd Fixiert, zubereyten... Frankfurt: [Heirs of C. Egenolff], 1570

Small 8vo (156 x 92 mm). Title printed in red and black, woodcut illustrations showing distillation apparatus; browning and some spotting. Calf antique by Aquarius.

Rare fourth edition of this influential alchemical and technological compilation, an elaboration of the well-known Probier- and Kunstbüchlein (little craft books) of the early sixteenth century. First published in 1534, the work underwent editions in 1538 (with a re-issue in 1539), 1546, 1570, 1613, and 1720, all of which are rare. Although this edition bears no author’s name, it can be attributed to Petrus Kertzenmacher, who contributed a preface in this edition and later issues.

It draws upon the practical recipes of the Kunstbüchlein tradition, from the separation of gold and silver, tempering of iron and steel, and the polishing of gems, to dye-making, ink production, and the prevention of toxic vapors. The work had an unusually long press life, reflecting the ongoing relevance of its vernacular chemical procedures. As Paisey notes, it is “one of the genre known in English as ‘books of secrets’… clearly very influential… Its audience consisted of craftsmen and artisans” (Paisey, "Some Sources of 'Kunstbüchlein' of 1535" in Gutenberg Jahrbuch (1980), pp. 113 & 115).

REFERENCES

Ferguson I, p. 19 (1613 ed.); Paisey, “Some Sources of the Kunstbüchlein of 1535,” in Gutenberg Jahrbuch (1980), pp. 113 & 115; Darmstaedter, Berg-, Probier- und Kunstbüchlein, p. 88; Ferguson, Some Early Treatises on Technological Chemistry (1888), pp. 16–19 & Supplement II (1910), pp. 3–12; Duveen, pp. 317–18 (1534 & 1546 eds.)