Basilica Chymica: Pluribus Selectis, et Secretissimis Propria Manuali Experientia Approbatis Descriptionibus, & Usu Remediorum Spagyricorum Selectissimorum

Oswaldi Crolii; Oswald Croll (Author), Sebastiano Combi (Printer), Johann Hartmann (Editor)

Sebastiano Combi; Venetiis, MDCXLIII  (Venice), 1643

[Early Chemistry and Alchemy : The Science of Chemistry Moves from Paracelsus to greater standardization]  469, [12 page manuscript index]. 16 cm (8vo).  Bound in contemporary vellum. Some wear, corrosion to front board.  Binding sound, but moderate cover split at front hinge.  All edges red.  Some occasional foxing, particularly to the hand written index.  Early ownership names on title page.  "Croll or Crollius was born at Wetter in 1580, studied at Marburg, Heidelberg, Strasburg, Geneva, travelled, and became physician of Prince Christian of Anhalt-Bernberg. In medicine he was an adherent of Paracelsus, and invented several remedies. The first edition of the "Basilica chymica" was published at Franckfurt, 1608." - Ferguson.  "The "Basilica chymica" became the standard scientific work of iatrochemistry. In sharp contrast with Paracelsus' vagueness, Crollius describes in detail the individual preparations, their composition, and their application. This explains why the book became such a great success, running to many editions and occasioning many commentaries." DSB 3, 471.  

From the library Dr. Owen Hannaway. Hannaway was director of the Center for the History and Philosophy of Science at Johns Hopkins University. He authored numerous books and served as an editor of academic magazines in the history of science.