Theatrum chemicum britannicum, containing severall. The theatrum chemicum britannicum is a compendium of alchemical texts first published in 1652 by one elias ashmole. Elias ashmole 1617 1692, the great english antiquary, statesman, astrologer and student of alchemy in english. The book made available many works that had previously existed only in privately held manuscripts, and features alchemical verse from thomas. He died in 1616, but his son eberhard took over the business and issued a fifth volume in 1622. Elias ashmoles theatrum chemicum britannicum 1652 renaissance medievalism and the relation antiquarianismscience. Faithfully collected into one volume, with annotations thereon, by elias ashmole, esq. The engraved emblem on the lower half of this title page was made after a 15thcentury illuminated manuscript now preserved in the british library and depicts an eagle, snake, and toad against a solar and lunar backdrop surrounded by droplets. Jan 2, 2014 pinocchioesque character among esoteric scattered symbols emblemata nova by andreas friedrich 1617.
Study course on the english alchemical poetry in the. Theatrum chemicum britannicum containing severall poeticall pieces of our famous english philosophers, who. Theatrum chemicum britannicum containing severall poeticall. Not to be confused with the earlier work, theatrum. Theatrum chemicum britannicum elias ashmole, comp london, 1652. Theatrum chemicum britannicum translated into english. English antiquarian, historian, alchemist, astrologer and freemason, founder of the what is now the ashmolean collection of the british museum at oxford, founding member of the royal society, and author of theatrum chemicum britannicum 1652 and the institution, laws and ceremonies of the most noble order of the garter 1672. Theatrum chemicum britannicum beinecke digital collections. Giltstamped cloth over boards in letterpress printed dust jacket. Lazarus zetzner issued the first three volumes in 1602, and reissued them with a new fourth volume in 16. Theatrum chemicum britannicum containing severall poeticall pieces of our famous english philosophers, who have written the hermetique mysteries in their. The book preserved and made available many works that had previously existed only in privately. The book preserved and made available many works that had previously existed only in privately held manuscripts. The dates of the texts contained therein range from the 12th to the 17th centuries in which the work was published.
In 1652, he published his most important alchemical work, theatrum chemicum britannicum, an extensively annotated compilation of metaphysical poems in english. Actually, the inclusive date for the theatrum chemicum should really be 16021661. This was recognised by the 17th century antiquarian elias ashmole, who decided to collect this material and put it into print and this was issued in 1652 as the famous theatrum chemicum britannicum, the theatre or manual of english alchemy. Illustrated with alchemical engravings, ornamental grotesques, dragons, trees, and fleurons. Containing severall poetical pieces of our famous english philosophers, who have written the hermetique mysteries in their own ancient language the first part. From the prolegomena to the theatrum chemicum britannicum. Though theatrum chemicum remains the most comprehensive single body of work on alchemy, future publications would emulate zetzners attempt to gather alchemical works into a single reference source. Containing several poetical pieces of our famous english philosophers, who have written the hermetique mysteries in their own ancient langua kindle edition by ashmole, elias. Elias ashmole 16171692, theatrum chemicum britannicum. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. Theatrum chemicum britannicum, containing severall poeticall pieces of our famous english philosopphers, who have written the hermetique mysteries in their owne ancient language.
This paper argues that ashmoles reading of gower as an alchemical master and adept connects to gowers literary tradition as well as the alchemical tradition of the seventeenth century. Media in category theatrum chemicum britannicum the following 11 files are in this category, out of 11 total. In the theatrum chemicum britannicum, elias ashmole interprets john gower as geoffrey chaucers alchemical mentor. Theatrum chemicum britannicum project, ongoing at mildreds lane since 1998. The dates of the texts contained therein range from the 12th to the 17th centuries in which the work was published the full title of the piece is shown below in the frontispiece but is reprinted also in text. The project grows with every iteration, grafting new fellows in collaboration with robert williams uk in the exploration of the many tropes and emergent themes arising from alchemy iiii. Containing several poeticall pieces of our famous english philosopers, who have. The alchemists shack is a largescale site work, part of the om. Ashmole supported the royalist side during the english civil war, and at the restoration of charles ii. English alchemical verse from elias ashmoles theatrum chemicum britannicum. Title page from elias ashmoles theatrum chemicum britannicum. First published in 1652, this compilation of english alchemical literature was collected and annotated by elias ashmole. Theatrum chemicum britannicum by elias ashmole abebooks. You can support us by purchasing something through our amazonurl, thanks.
His final alchemical writings were published in 1658, and after that ashmole lost interest in the subject. Theatrum chemicum britannicum by elias ashmole goodreads. Avicenna from maier symbola aurea mensae, franckfurt, 1617 a128. Theatrum chemicum britannicum containing severall poeticall pieces of our famous english philosophers, who have written the hermetique mysteries in their owne ancient language. Ashmole, theatrum chemicum britannicum wellcome collection. Faithfully collected into one volume, with annotations thereon. In 1652, elias ashmole published a similarly entitled work by the name of, theatrum chemicum britannicum in london. The book made available many works that had previously existed only in privately held manuscripts, and features alchemical verse from thomas norton, george ripley, geoffrey chaucer, john dastin, abraham andrews, thomas charnock, william bloomefield, edward kelley, john dee. Theatrum chemicum britannicum 1652 edition open library. Under construction this section is reserved for comments about the alchemical authors of the theatrum chemicum britannicum, which includes.
Ashmole, theatrum chemicum britannicum, 1652 wellcome l0012615. Added table of contents with the date jan 12 67, 17th century f. Theatrum chemicum brittannicum paperback 1 nov 2007. Pdf elias ashmoles theatrum chemicum britannicum 1652. Redrawn from a 15th century manuscript in the british library, harley 2407. Aenigma philosophicum john dastins dream discription of the stone the hunting of the greene lyon hermes bird the hermets tale the magistry the mistery of alchymists by george ripley. Theatrum chemicum britannicum science history institute digital.
This is a valuable tome that preserves an amazing array of thought. The full title of the piece is shown below in the frontispiece but is reprinted. Or so british politician and freemason elias ashmole 16171692 dedicated this curious. Ashmoles antiquarian work is still considered valuable, and his alchemical publications, especially the theatrum chemicum britannicum, preserved many works that might otherwise have been lost. The theatrum chemicum britannicum is a major collection of english alchemical texts which encapsulate the arcana of the magnum opus in poetic form.
Theatrum chemicum britannicum science history institute. Thomas norton, george ripley, geoffrey chaucer, john daston, pearce the black monke, richard carpenter, abraham andrews, thomas charnock, william bloomefield, edward kelley, john dee, thomas robinson, william backhouse, john. Alchemical and hermetic emblems 1 images and photos. Elias ashmole author of theatrum chemicum britannicum. The theatrum chemicum britannicum features the alchemical verse of a host of important english philosophical alchemists. Elias ashmole 23 may 1617 18 may 1692 was a celebrated english antiquary, politician, officer of arms.
Symbola aureae mensae duodecim nationum frankfurt, 1617. Ashmole supported the royalist side during the english civil war, and at the restoration of charles ii he was rewarded with several lucrative offices. Between 1660 and 1675, he was an officerofarms, acting as windsor herald of arms in ordinary, assisting after the restoration of charles ii in the revival of heraldic visitations. Theatrum chemicum britannicum first published in 1652, is an extensively annotated compilation of english alchemical literature selected by elias ashmole. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page.
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