German poem on alchemy, in the form of an autobiography
A German poem on alchemy, in the form of an autobiography, consisting of about 4000 rhyming couplets: the first leaf of the text (after fol. 1) appears to be lost: fol. 2 begins' Knadigk zu beschirmen Leib und gutt I Bisz das mich Gott abfoddern thutt ': ends 'Wundt mir nach deiner gutt verleibe | Ewig zu wohnen in dein reich. I Amen.'
The author states that he was born in 1600 and travelled to Vienna (fol. 10v).
There are twenty-three coloured drawings of an alchemist, his workshop and instruments, his results and visions: on fol. 1v is a coloured drawing of a Calvary near the sea, under which an annotator of the whole volume (about A. D. 1700) has written 'Hammersthal Detngetrijser'; cf. fol. 3v : there are at least two Ammer rivers in South Germany.
Dates
- Creation: written in the 17th century
Extent
151 Leaves
Language of Materials
- German
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. Add. A. 287, fols. 1-2]
Shelfmark:
MS. Add. A. 287
Collection ID (for staff)
CMD ID 19909
Abstract
German poem on alchemy, in the form of an autobiography, written in the 17th century.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical details unknown.
Other Finding Aids
Falconer Madan, et al., A summary catalogue of western manuscripts in the Bodleian Library at Oxford which have not hitherto been catalogued in the Quarto series (7 vols. in 8 [vol. II in 2 parts], Oxford, 1895-1953; reprinted, with corrections in vols. I and VII, Munich, 1980), vol. V, no. 29493.
Custodial History
Owned by J. W. H. Knebel in 1764.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Bought from Charles Lowe, bookseller of Birmingham, on Jan. 20, 1885, for £2 2s.
Physical Facet
On paper, with coloured illustrations.
Dimensions
8 5/8 × 6 1/8 in.
Topical
- Title
- German poem on alchemy, in the form of an autobiography
- Status
- Published
- Date
- EAD version 2020 by Pauline Soum-Paris
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk