• A Chymical Dictionary, in A New Light of Alchymy, Taken out of the Fountain of Nature and Manual Experience, to which is Added a Treatise of Sulphur, 1674

Curatorial Notes:
  • This chemical dictionary was written to help readers navigate the writings of the Swiss medical reformer Paracelsus. Paracelsus’s novel approach to chemical medicine was distinguished by new and obscure terminology. In this copy, the dictionary helpfully accompanies an English translation of the pseudo-Paracelsian On the Nature of Things. In practice, such dictionaries could not always be relied upon, as the meaning of alchemical terms frequently changed in light of new practical observations and textual readings.
Credit Line:
  • Rare Books Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library
Format:
  • Book
Creator:
  • Sędziwój, Michał, approximately 1556-approximately 1646
Author:
  • Sędziwój, Michał, approximately 1556-approximately 1646
Language:
  • English
Publisher:
  • London : printed by A. Clark, for Tho. Williams at the Golden Ball in Hosier-Lane, 1674.
Date:
  • 1674
Extent:
  • [16], 351, [1] p. ; 18 cm. (8vo)
View in catalog:
Subject:
Printer:
Bookseller:
Translator:
  • French, John, 1616-1657
Description:
  • A translation of: Sędziwój, Michał. Novum lumen chymicum.
  • J.F. = John French.
  • The words "generations. death" and "renewing. signatures" are enclosed in brackets on title page.
  • "Of the nature of things" a translation of part of "Metamorphosis", and "A chymical dictionary", based on "Dictionarium Theophrasti Paracelsi" by Gerhard Dorn, each have separate dated title page.
References:
  • Wing (CD-ROM, 1996), S2507A
  • ESTC (RLIN), R028861
Provenance:
  • Ex copy: "John Paschalls Book, bought June 8th 1750" inscribed on leaf A2 recto; a few annotations presumably in his hand.
Identifier:
  • ark:/88435/dch128nq90q