http://www.hellfireclubbooks.co.uk
A Facsimile
Frederick Hockley/Golden Dawn
Alchemical Manuscript
Finely bound by hand in a limited edition of 120 numbered copies printed on fine laid paper hand sewn in folio; this new enlarged edition ( 290mm x 225mm ) has each copy in quarter leather using a rich grained dark blue goatskin, a fine cloth in deep wine red, and incorporates French marbled endpapers of non-pareil design showing layers of reds and purples intricately melted together. To the front board is a paper title label its design reflecting Hockleys’ characteristic interlinked circles on his title page, we announce:
‘A Manual
of a
Rosicrucian Philos(ophus)
From April 30th to June 15
1797
Containing the
Process of the philo-
sophers stone, and some
valuable experiments
inventions, astrolo-
gical ingredients
&c
Transcribed from
The original manuscript
By
Frederick Hockley
January 8th
1833’
Here we present a full facsimile printed lithographically in an enlarged edition of Hockleys priceless ‘process of the philosophers stone’ communicated to him by the famed Rosicrucian Dr Sigismond Bacstrom, and to him by the Comte du Chazal.
Reproduced here is Hockleys transcription of series of alchemical experiments carried out in 1797 by Bacstrom, as part of his work in the Philosophus grade of Chazals ‘Society of Rosicrucians’. Each experiment is accompanied by an astrological chart and detailed observations on the material, apparatus, times and conditions of the work. Diagrams of the flask, burning lamp and seals convey the precision of Bacstroms approach, far removed from the vagaries of published alchemical treatises.
Stages of the work are clearly marked, dates and times for all the experiments are given with the positions of the planets at the time, the measure of heat used is given precisely, variations and alterations to the method and apparatus are noted carefully throughout.
Appended to our Hockley manuscript on the alchemical operations, is another shorter piece, a certificate and relation of an initiation into the Rosicrucian Society, being:
‘Copy
Of the
Admission of Dr Bacstrom
Into
The Society of
The ROSY CROSS
[with the philosophic seal of the
Society of the Rosicrucians]
By
The Compt du Chazal
At the Island of Mauritius
1794
Transcribed by
Frederick Hockley’
|
