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UNIDENTIFIED : c. 1730 - 1750s ORIGINAL 500+ PP MANUSCRIPT BOOK OF ANCIENT MONASTIC [?] ALCHEMY, CHEMISTRY, PHARMACOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL LORE

6.25 X 5.5 X 2 IN.. On offer is a superb, original 18th Century Latin, and some Greek, manuscript book of over 328+ hand-numbered and some unnumbered leaves of handwritten writings being a treasure trove of ancient medical and alchemy lore and history epitomizing the state of post Renaissance sciences, the book includes various charts, indices, remedies, tinctures, other pharmacological and chemical recipes, alchemy, observations, treatments and astrological notes. Circa 1730 to 1750s, as evidenced by the marbelized end papers and separator pages in this premium 6.25 x 5.5 x 2 inch oblong leather bound clasp enclosed book was an esteemed doctor's medical book or more likely a rich monastic hospital or library given there is are remnant of a paste-down label on the edges though the spine portion of the label is gone. There is a small heart encased by filigree stamped in gilt and a gilt frame on the cover. Research suggests this book was written by 2 or maybe 3 different but similar in style and quality hands giving further credence to a monastic effort. There is a stylized graphic border on each page framing the handwriting. Titles, capital letters, section headings, important notes or comments are in red with the balance in period brown ink. The book has approximately 500 pages handwritten as the numbering accounts for each leaf but the writings are many times on the reverse of the leaf too or 2 pages in other words. Shallow interior vertical crack to the rear cover, chipping to the tips of the spine, some rubbing and general ageing do not detract from this awesome work of ancient medical and alchemy history. Interior pages and text block is VG.. Latin, Greek. Book Condition: Very Good. Binding: Full-Leather

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