"Very rare early 17th century alchemical work by Arnold Kerner: “Balsamus vegetabilis. Das ist: kurtzer doch gründlicher Discurs von einem köstlichen vegetabilschen oder Schweffel Balsam, so zu vielen Kranckheiten heilsam und nützlich zu gebrauchen...”, specifically regarding the alchemical uses of Sulfuric Balsam when combined with numerous other compounds. This is the original first edition, printed in Leipzig in 1618 by Philip Witteln for alchemical publisher Johann Birckners. This volume was republished in Cassel in 1651 in different format (referencing the earlier edition) -- as it had become fairly influential in Central Europe during this period. ENORMOUSLY rare, Worldcat notes only one other copy in searchable library databases, being in the State Library of Bavaria in Munich. The Second edition is noted only in the University of Wisconsin and Glasgow University Library. We cannot find a single reference to either edition having sold at auction in the past (30) years. This is really very rare. (50) pages, red and black title. In the beautiful original 18th century binding using sections of an older Latin manuscript on vellum to cover the boards. The binding seems to have been restored, and the endpapers and ties replaced, however this is an older restoration. A handwritten note dated 1887 on one of the blank “new” ffep leaves at suggests that the restoration occurred at about that time. A beautiful and very rare alchemical book. See related notation is Ferguson's Bibliotheca Chemica. (15 x 9cm)"
