Magnum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks Series

Magnum Opus Hermetic Sourceworks Series
This series of limited edition hand-bound books by Adam McLean were initially produced between 1979 and 1986. They were never sold through book dealers, but only by direct mail order. Consequently, these books became collectors items, often fetching high prices on the second-hand market. Only a few copies remain of some of the older titles in this series and a number are now entirely sold out. Since 1997 thirty new titles have been issued with more in preparation.

No. 11. A Commentary on the Mutus Liber.

By Adam McLean.

Sorry, the edition is now sold out. Some copies may be available from Adam McLean's personal collection. Email adam@alchemywebsite.com for information on availability and price.

The fifteen plates of the Mutus Liber, the 'Mute Book', are well known, and this book without words is recognised as a classic of the 17th century alchemical tradition. Although it seems to pictorially outline in detail an alchemical process, its message is not immediately obvious and it really requires a commentary to make it intelligible to the present day reader. Adam McLean has here provided an extensive commentary on this series of engravings, revealing it as a synthesis of spiritual, soul and physical alchemy. Although, tantalisingly, the entire secret of the physical process is not fully revealed in these plates, enough information is given to piece together details of a modus operandi; indeed modern French alchemists like Canseliet and Barbault have found great inspiration and hints as to the physical work in the Mutus Liber. Although these illustrations have been printed many times before, they have not yet been issued in an edition with an extensive commentary, and therefore this present volume should help to meet a need for an explanation of some of the mysteries of the Mutus Liber.
Limited edition of 250 copies. 55 pages. 15 full-page illustrations. A5 Hardbound.
Edition now sold.