English alchemy books A - B

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This is an unfinished catalogue of English books on alchemy which is still actively being researched. Not all of the entries yet have a full description attached. The list is quite complete, although a few items may have escaped my notice. I would welcome any feedback that would help to make this listing more comprehensive - Adam McLean.
Go to C - G / H - L / M - Q / R - Z

Acton, George.
A letter in answer to certain quaeries and objections made by a certain Galenist, against the theorie and practice of chymical physick. Wherein the right method of curing of diseases is demonstrated: the possibility of an universal evinced; and chymical physick vindicated. By... Published for the benefit of such as languish under any grievous distemper without cure.
London, printed by William Godbid for Walter Kettleby, at the sign of the Bishops Head in Duck-Lane. 1670.

Ali Puli.
Centrum Naturae Concentratum: or the Salt of Nature regenerated. For the most part improperly called the Philosopher's Stone. Written in Arabick by Alipili a Mauritanian, born of Asiatick Parents; published in Low Dutch, 1694. and now done into English, 1696. By a lover of the Hermetick Science...
London, printed for J. Harris at the Harrow in Little Britain. 1696.
[Translated by E. Brice.]
94 pages.

Other editions:
Centrum Naturae concentratum. Oder: ein Tractat, von dem Weidergebohrnen Saltz. Insgemein und eigendlich genandt: Der Weisen Stein, in Arabischen geschrieben von Ali Puli, einem Asiatischen Mohren, darnach in Portugisische Sprache durch H. L. V. A. H... Heidelberg, 1682.
Centrum Naturae concentratum. Oder: ein Tractat, von dem Weidergebohrnen Saltz. Insgemein und eigendlich genandt: Der Weisen Stein, in Arabischen geschrieben von Ali Puli, einem Asiatischen Mohren, darnach in Portugisische Sprache durch H. L. V. A. H... Franckfurt, 1756.
Also included in
Quadratum Alchymisticum: Das ist Vier auserlesene rare Tractätgen vom Stein der Weisen, Speculum Sapientiae, in welchem so wol die Sonnenklahrheit von Jesu Christo, als auch die wahre Tincture der Weisen gelehret wird: Centrum Naturć Concentratum... Hamburg, 1705.

p3-7 The English Translator to the Reader. At end E. Brice.
p9-26 To the Reader. At end H.C.K.
p27-28 The Preface of the Belgick Interpreter.
p29-90 Centrum Naturć Concentratum: or the Salt of Nature Regenerated. [In a long introductory section the author exhorts his readers to pursue the secrets of alchemy with the correct motives, or else their work will be in entirely in vain. After a prayer for God's help the author turns to cosmology, describing the influence of Lucifer on the Creation when he led the subtle matter of light into denser materiality. God intervened to rescue the cosmos from total densification by introducing a new force that led matter back to the spirit. This force lies hid in every thing as a hidden concentrated centre, the Salt of the Light of the World. It is this salt that the alchemists must seek, which regenerates all things, and the author quite clearly states that this is Man himself. The metalline mine is in our own bodies, and we must explore our own souls if we we wish to find the secret of regeneration. The closing section of this work is a statement of a spiritual alchemy involving the transformation of our innermost soul.]
p91-94 [A catalogue of 6 books printed for J. Harris. This includes one item on alchemy, William Salmon's Medicina Practica.]

Andreae, Johann Valentin.
The Hermetick romance: or the chymical wedding. Written in high Dutch By Christian Rosencreutz. Translated by E. Foxcroft, late Fellow of Kings Colledge in Cambridge. Licensed, & Entred according to Order.
Printed, by A. Sowle, at the Crooked-Billet in Holloway-Lane Shore-ditch: And sold at the Three-Kyes in Nags-Head-Court Grace-Church-Street, 1690.
226 + ii pages.

p1 [Titlepage.]
p3-226 The Hermetick Romance, &c. [Allegorical tale divided into seven days.]
p227 Errata.

Annus sophić jubilćus. The Sophick Constitution: or, the Evil Customs of the World Reform'd. A Dialogue, Between a Philadept and a Citizen, concerning The Possibility of the Sophick Transmutation; The Probability that there are Adepts in the World; And, in that Case, the Duties of Adepts and other Men to each other, and the Advantages that would accrue from the Observation of those Duties. To which is added, A Summary of some Conferences with an Artist, &c.... London: Printed for A. Baldwin at the Oxford-Arms Inn in Warwick-lane, 1700.
ii + 72 + iv + 8 pages.

p i Advertisement.
p1-72 Annus Sophić Jubilćus. The Sophick Constitution: or, The Evil Customs of the World Reform'd. A Dialogue, Between a Phaladept and a Citizen. [Citizen takes the role of questioner of Philadept, and begins by asking about the nature of transmutation. Then then discuss adepts, and imposters. Philadept is particularly protective of the reputation of adepts against the various cheats who besmirch their name, and shows how adept must be careful in their dealings with thier fellow me who lust after the wealth they can bestow. Then follows a long section in which Philadept talks about religion, government, the distribution of wealth, law and order, education, and other matters of politics.]
p i The Summary of some Conferences of a Student in Chymistry with an Artist.
p ii-iv Advertisement.
p1-8 The Summary of the Conferences. [A student and an artist discuss the way in which Gold may be extracted from Silver, and Silver may be drawn out of Lead.]

Anthonie, Francis (1550-1623).
The apologie, or defence of a verity heretofore published concerning a medicine called aurum potabile, that is, the pure substance of Gold, prepared, and made Potable and Medicinable without corrosives, helpefully given for the health of Man in most Diseases, but especially available for the strengthning and comforting of the Heart and vitall Spirits the performers of health: as an universall medicine. Together with the plaine, and true Reasons, manifold and irrefragable Testimonies of fact, confirming the Universalitie thereof. And lastly, the manner and order of administration or use of this medicine in sundrie infirmities. By Francis Anthonie of London, Doctor in Physicke.
London, printed by Iohn Leggatt, 1616.
iv + 126 pages.

Other editions:
Apologia Veritatis Illucescentis, pro Auro Potabili: seu Essentia Auri ad Medicinalem Portabilitatem absque corrosivis reducti, ut fere omnibus humani corporis aegritudinibus, ac praesertim Cordis corroborationi, tanquam Universalis Medicina, utilissime adhiberi possit, una cum rationibus intellegibilibus, testimoniis lucopletissimis et modo convenienti in singulis morbis usurpandi, producta. Authore Francisco Antonio Phil. et Med. Doct. Anglo. Lond. Londini, Excusum per Johannem Legatt. 1616.
Francisci Antonii Panacea aurea; sive tractatus duo (Medicinae chymicae... assertio - Apologia ... pro auro potabili) de ipsius auro potabili, nunc primum in Germania ex Londoniensi exemplari excusi, operâ M.B.F.B. Ex bibliopolio Frobeniano; Hamburgi, 1618.

p i-iv The Preface to the Indifferent and Iudicious Reader.
p1-23 The first part. The division of this treatise. [The author tells how some 5 years before he had published a short discourse of the true potabile gold. This was his Medicinae Chymicae, et veri Potabilis Auri assertio, Cambridge, 1610. Now he intends to discuss the merits of Gold in healing diseases and the way in which it may be made potabile.]
p24-109 [The second part is a long series of testimonials concerning Doctor Anthonie's Aurum Potabile and its use in healing many patients both in Britain and on the Continent.]
p110-126 A manual for the use of the Aurum Potabile.
[The self styled Dr. Anthonie produced a universal remedy called the Aurum Potabile. He immediately fell foul of the medical establishment, and was imprisoned several times for practising without a license, however, despite considerable criticism his remedy achieved a good reputation, so much so that his work was reprinted by Cooper in Collectanea Chymica, 1684. Among works criticising Anthonie's remedy was Matthew Gwynne, Aurum non Aurum, 1611; Thomas Rawlin, Admonitio de Pseudochymicis, seu Alphabetarium Philosophicum in quo refutatur aurum potabile Antonii, 1611; and John Cotta, Cotta contra Antonium: or An Ant-Anthony: or an Ant-Apology... Oxford, 1623.]

Ashmole, Elias.
Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum. Containing Severall Poetical Pieces of our Famous English Philosophers, who have written the Hermetique Mysteries in their owne Ancient Language. Faithfully Collected into one Volume, with Annotations thereon, by Elias Ashmole, Esq. Qui est Mercuriophilus Anglicus.
The first part, London, Printed by J. Grismond for Nath: Brooke, at the Angel in Cornhill. MDCLII. 1652.
xvi + 486 + viii pages.
p i [Title.]
p iii-xvi [Prolegomena] To All Ingeniously Elaborate Students, In the most Divine Mysteries of Hermetique Learning.
p1-106 The Ordinall of Alchimy. Written by Thomas Norton of Bristoll.
p107-193 The Compound of Alchymie. A most excellent, learned, and worthy worke, written by Sir George Ripley, Chanon of Bridlington in Yorkeshire, Conteining twelve Gates.
p194-209 Liber patris sapientiae.
p211 [Verse beginning] "In the name of the holy Triniti".
p212 [Verse beginning] "Iyfe thow wilt thys warke begyn."
p213-226 Hermes Bird.
p227-256 The Tale of the Chanans Yeoman. Written by our Ancient and famous English Poet, Geoffry Chaucer.
p257-268 The Worke of John Dastin.
p269-274 Pearce the Black Monke upon the Elixir.
p275-277 The Worke of Rich: Carpenter.
p278-290 The Hunting of the Greene Lyon.
p291-303 The Breviary of naturall Philosophy. Compiled by the unlettered Scholar Thomas Charnock.
p303 Aenigma ad Alchimiam... 1572. T. Charnocke.
p304 Aenigma de Alchimiae... 1572. T. Charnocke.
p305-323 Bloomfields Blossoms: or, The Campe of Philosophy.
p324-331 Sir Edward Kelle's Worke.
p332-333 Sir Ed: Kelly concerning the Philosophers Stone written to his especiall good Freind, G.S. Gent.
p334 Testamentum Johannis Dee Philosophi summi ad Johannem Gwynn, transmissum 1568.
p335 Thomas Robinsonus de lapide philosophorum.
p336-341 Experience and Philosophy.
p342-343 The Magistery... Hoc opus exigium nobis fert ire per altum. December, 1633. W.B.
p344-367 Anonymi: or, severall workes of unknowne Authors.
p368-373 John Gower concerning the Philosophers Stone.
p374 The Vision of Sr: George Ripley: Channon of Bridlington.
p375-379 Verses belonging to an emblematicall Scrowle: Supposed to be invented by Geo: Ripley.
p380-388 The Mistery of alchymists, Composed by Sir Geo: Ripley Chanon of Bridlington.
p389-392 The Preface prefixt to Sir Geo: Ripley's Medulla; Which he wrote Ann. Dom. 1476. and Dedicated to Geo: Nevell then Arch-Bishop of Yorke.
p393-396 A shorte worke That beareth the Name of the aforesaid Author, Sir G. Ripley.
p397-p403 John Lydgate monke of St. Edmundsbury, In his Translation of the second Epistle that King Alexander sent to his Master Aristotle.
p404-414 Anonymi.
p415-419 The Hermet's Tale.
p420 A Discription of the Stone.
p421-422 The standing of the Glasse for the tyme of the Putrefaction, and Congelation of the Medicine.
p423 Aenigma Philosphicum... D.D.W. Bedman.
p424-426 Fragments coppied From Thomas Charnock's owne hand writing.
p427-428 In some Coppies I have found these Verses placed before Pearce the Black Monk, upon the Elixir.
p428-430 I have seene an old Coppy of the said work of Pearce the Black Monk, to the end of which these following Verses were joyned.
p431-432 This following Fragment in some copies I have found placed at the end of the aforegoing Exposition of Pearce the Black Monke.
p433 An other Conclusion.
p434-436 The whole Scyence.
[Inserted engraving.]
p437-486 Annotations and Discourses, upon Some part of the preceding Worke.
p i-ii A table of the several Treatises, with their Authors Names, contained in this Worke.
p iii-vii A Table explaining the Obscure, Obsolete, and mis-spell'd words used throughout this Worke.
p viii [Errata.]

Ashmole, Elias.
The way to bliss. In three books. Made Publick byElias Ashmole Esq. Qui est Mercuriophilus Anglicus...
London, Printed by J. Grismond for Nath. Brook, at the Angel in Corn-hill, 1658.
viii + 220 + ii pages.

p ii [Frontispiece engraving of Ashmole.]
p iii [Title page]
p v-viii To the Reader... E. Ashmole. April 16. 1658.
p1-25 The Way to Blisse. The First Book [in two chapters].
What Blisse and Happinesse is - Reproof of the common and lighter sort of Arguments cast against the Way to Bliss.
p27-162 The Second Book [in five chapters].
Of Long Life - Of Health - Of Youth - Of Riches - Of Wisdome and virtue.
p163-210 The Third Book [in four chapters]. Of mending and bettering the State of Mans Body - That the Philosophers Stone is able to turn all base Metals into Silver and Gold - That the Phylosophers Stone will turn base Mettals with as much advantage as we will - That Gold may be wrought into such a fine oyl as we speak of.
p i Errata.

Aurifontina Chymica: or, a Collection of Fourteen small Treatises concerning the First Matter of Philosophers, For the discovery of their (hitherto so much concealed) Mercury. Which so many have studiously endeavoured to Hide, but these to make Manifest, for the benefit of Mankind in general.
London, printed for William Cooper, at the Pelican in Little-Britain, 1680.
xx + 272 + iv pages.

p i-iv To the most High and Mighty Monarch Charles the II.
p v-vii The Contents of this Book.
p ix Hydropyrographum Hermeticum: or, A Choice and most Excellent Treatise concerning The True ----- or Fiery Water of the Philosophers, Which Artephius and Pontanus call, their Fire which bringeth the Matter into being in the beginning, second and third Work; yea, which perfecteth the whole Work from the beginning to the ending. Written in the German Tongue, by an Author Anonymous; and now published in English by John Frederick Houpreght, a Student of, and Searcher into the wonderful Secrets of Hermes.
p xi-xx To the Reader.
p1-39 Hydropyrographum Hermeticum.
p41-52 The Privy Seal of Secrets, which Upon pain of Damnation is not unadvisedly to be broken up, nor Revealed to any but with great Care, and many Cautions.
p52-67 A Letter Communicated by the most Serene Prince Frederick Duke of Holsatia and Sleswick, Concerning an Adept, and Relates things strange and unheard-of.
p69-95 A Treatise of Mercury and the Philosophers Stone. By Sir George Ripley.
p93-93 Colours to be observed in the Operation of the Great Work.
p97-106 Thesaurus, Sive Medicina Aurea: A plain and true Description of the Treasure of Treasures, or the Golden Medicine.
p107-143 Tractatus de Lapide, Manna Benedicto, &c.
p145-161 Nicolas Flammell's Summary of Philosophy.
p163-179 Clavicula, or, A little Key of Raymond Lullie, Majoricane; Which is also called Apertorium, (the Opener) In which all that is required in the Work of Alchymy Is plainly declared.
p180-184 Secrets Disclos'd. One Friend to another, as Bloomfield suppose, The Philosophers Stone the Secrets doth disclose.
p185-186 A Philosophical Riddle.
p187-270 The Answer of Bernardus Trevisanus, to the Epistle of Thomas of Bononia, Physician to K. Charles the 8th.
p269-270 The Prefatory Epistle of Bernard Earl of Tresne, to the noble Doctor and most learned Philosopher Thomas of Bononia.
p271-272 A brief Rehearsal of the Preparation of the Philosophers Stone.
p273-276 Books sold by Will. Cooper, at the Pelican in Little-Britain.

Bacon, Roger [1214?-1294]
The Cure of Old Age, and Preservation of Youth. By Roger Bacon, A Franciscan Frier. Translated out of Latin; with Annotations, and an Account of his Life and Writings. By Richard Browne, M.L. Coll. Med. Lond. Also A Physical Account of the Tree of Life by Edw. Madiera Arrais. Translated likewise out of Latin by the same Hand.
London, printed for Tho. Flesher at the Angel and Crown, and Edward Evets at the Green Dragon, in St Pauls Church-yard. 1683.
[Medical treatise.]

Bacon, Roger [1214?-1294].
Frier Bacon his Discovery of the Miracles of Art, Nature and Magick. Faithfully translated out of Dr Dees own Copy, by T. M. and never before in English.
London, printed for Simon Miller at the Starre in St Pauls Churchyard, 1659.
x + 51 + vii pages. 136 x 75mm.

Other Editions:
Epistola Rogerii Baconis, De Secretis Operibus Artis et Naturae et de Nullitate Magiae. Opera Johannis Dee Londoniensis e pluribus exemplaribus castigata olim et ad sensum integrum restituta... Hamburgi, Ex Bibliopolio Frobeniano, anno 1618. [Dedicated to the Rosicrucian brethren.]

p i-iv The Translator to the Reader.
p v-viii The Judgment of Divers Learned Men concerning Fryer Bacon.
p ix [Table of contents.]
p x [Notice by the publisher of a future publication.]
p1-51 A Letter sent by Frier Roger Bacon to William of Paris, Concerning both The Secret Operation of Nature and Art, As also The Nullity of Magick. [In eleven chapters.]
Of and against fictitious Apparences and Invocation of Spirits. — Of Charms, Figures, and their Use. — Of the force of Speech, and a Check to Magick. — Of Admirable Artificial Instruments. — Of Perspective Artificial Instruments. — Concerning strange Experiments [Alchemy]. — Of Retarding the Accidents of Old age, and Prolongation of Life. — Of obscuring the Mysteries of Art and Nature. — Of the Manner to make the Philosophers Egge. — Of the same Subject another way. — Of the same Subject another way.
[At end "In this Translation, I followed Dr Dees Edition, Printed at Hamburg, 1618".]
p i-vii [List of other books sold by the publisher Simon Miller.]

Bacon, Roger [1214?-1294].
The Mirror of Alchimy, Composed by the thrice-famous and learned Fryer, Roger Bachon, sometimes fellow of Martin Colledge: and afterwards of Brasen-nose Colledge in Oxenforde. Also a most excellent and learned discourse of the admirable force and efficacie of Art and Nature written by the same Author. With certaine other worthie Treatises of the like Argument.
London, printed for Richard Olive. 1597.
ii + 84 pages. 190x142mm.

p i The Preface.
p1-16 The Mirrour of Alchimy, composed by the famous Fryer, Roger Bachon, sometime fellow of Martin Colledge, and Brasen-nose Colledge in Oxenforde. [In seven chapters.]
Of the Definitions of Alchimy. — Of the naturall principles, and procreation of Minerals. — Out of what things the matter of Elixir must be more nearly extracted. — Of the maner of working, and of moderating, and continuing the fire. — Of the qualitie of the Vessell and Furnace. — Of the accidentall and essentiall colours appearing in the worke. — How to make proiection of the medicine upon any imperfect bodie.
p16-17 The Smargdine Table of Hermes, Trismegistus of Alchimy.
p17-27 A briefe Commentarie of Hortulanus the Philosopher, upon the Smaragdine Table of Hermes of Alchimy. [In thirteen chapters.]
The praier of Hortulanus. — The Preface. — That the Art of Alchimy is true and certaine. — That the Stone must be divided into two parts. — That the Stone hath in it the foure Elements. — That the Stone hath Father and Mother, to wit, the Sunne and Moone. — That the coniunction of the parts of the stone is called Conception. — That the Stone is perfect, if the Soule be fixt in the bodie. — Of the mundification and cleansing of the stone. — That the unfixed part of the Stone should exceed the fixed, and lift it up. — How the volatile Stone may againe be fixed. — Of the fruite of the Art, and efficacie of the Stone. — That this worke imitateth the Creation of the worlde. — An enigmaticall insinuation what the matter of the Stone shoulde be. — Why the Stone is said to be perfect.
p28-53 The Booke of the Secrets of Alchimie, composed by Galid the sonne of Iazich, translated out of Hebrew into Arabick, and out of Arabick into Latine, and out of Latin into English. [In sixteen chapters.]
The Preface of the difficultie of the Art. — Of the foure Masteries, or principall works of the Art, to wit, solution, congelation, albification and rubification. — Of the things and instruments necessarie and fit for this worke. — Of the nature of things appertaining to this worke. — Of Decoction, and the effect thereof. — Of Subtiliation, Solution, Coagulation, and commistion of the Stone, and of their cause and end. — The manner how to fixe the Spirit. — Of the Decoction, Contrition, and washing of the stone. — Of the quantitie of the Fire, and of the commoditie and discommoditie of it. — Of the Separation of the Elements of the Stone. — Of the nature of the Stone, and his birth. — Of the commistion of the Elements that were seperated. — Of the solution of the Stone compounded. — Of the coagulation of the Stone dissolved. — That there is but one Stone, and of his nature. — The maner how to make the Stone white. — The conversion of the foresaid Stone intered.
p54-84 An excellent discourse of the admirable force and efficacie of Art and Nature, written by the famous Frier Roger Bacon, Sometime fellow of Merton Colledge, and afterward of Brasen-nose in Oxford. [??? Summarise]

Bacon, Roger [1214?-1294].
The Philosopher's Stone; or Grand Elixir, Discover'd by Friar Bacon; And now Publish'd As a Counterpart to the Degradation of Gold by an Anti-Elixir. With a few notes, by No Adept...
London: Printed by H. Woodfall: Sold by J. Roberts, in Warwick-Lane; and A. Dodd, without Temple -Bar. M.DCC.XXXIX. [1739].
56 pages. 193x122mm.

p i-xv [1-15] The Preface.
p16 [Table of contents.]
p17-56 Friar Bacon's Mirror of Alchymy. [In seven sections.]
Introduction. [Corresponds to the preface in the 1597 translation.]
Of the Defintion of Alchymy. - Of the Natural Principles producing Metals and Minerals. - Of the nearest Matter of the Elixir. - Of the Process, and regulating the Fire. - Of the Nature of the Vessel and Furnace. - Of the Accidental and Essential Colours that appear in the Work. - Of Projection, or the Manner of perfecting the imperfect Metals of the Stone.
[This translation of Bacon's Speculum Alchimiae, is presented here as a clear statement of the ideas of traditional alchemy on transmutation, in the hopes that some philosophers may be able to accept the implications of Robert Boyle's Historical Account of a Degradation of Gold, made by an Anti-Elixir, published in 1678 and 1739, which the editor/translator takes literally and not as a satire or attempt to undermine the idea of alchemical transmutation. The editor adds some substantial footnotes commenting on and explaining the work.]

[Bacon, William.]
A key to Helmont. Or, a short introduction to the better understanding of the theory and method of the most profound chymical physicians.
London: printed for John Starkey, at the Mitre near Temple-Bar. 1682.

Barba, Albaro Alonso.
The Art of Metals, In which is declared the manner of their Generation, and the concomitants Of them. In Two Books. Written in Spanish by Albaro Alonso Barba; Master of Art, Curate of St. Bernards Parish in the Imperial City of Potosi, in the Kingdom of Peru in the West-Indies, in the Year, 1640. Translated in the Yeare, 1669. By the R.H. Edward Earl of Sandwich.
London: Printed for S. Mearne, Stationer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. 1674.
iv + 156 + ii + 91 + i pages.
p i [Title]
p iii-iv The Preface.
p1 The manner how Mettals and other substances that accompany Them are engendred [in 36 chapters].
Of the Companions of Mettals, and first of the Earth, and the several Colours thereof - Of the divers Smells of the Earth, and the reason thereof - How to know the Condition of the Earth by the Taste - Of the Names and Uses of some sorts of Earth - Of Juices, and first of Allum - Of Copperas - Of Salt - Of Salt Ammoniac, and other Salts - of Juices, which the Spaniards call Betunes - Of Sulphur and Antimony - Of Marcasita, Orpiment, and Sandaraca - Of the Generation of Stones - Of the Differences of Stones one from another - Of Precious Stones - Whether there be precious Stones in the Kingdom of Peru - Of other sorts of Stones - Of some accidents happening to Stones, and the Causes of them - Of the Generation of Mettals - The Opinion that Qicksilver and Sulphur are the matter whereof Mettals are made, is defended - Of the efficient and formal causes of Mettals - Divers accidents of Mettals - Of the number of Mettals, and the Places wherein they are Engendered - The manner how to find out the Veins of Mettals - Besides those Veins of Mettal, which do discover themselves, or are found by chance, as has been said before, there be others procured by the Art and Industry of Man - Of the several sorts of Veins, and how to find them out - Of Mettals in particular, and first of Gold - Of Silver, and the Mines thereof - Continuing the discourse of the last Chapter, touching the Mines of Silver - Of Copper, and the Mines thereof - Of Iron - Of Lead - Of Tin - Of Quicksilver - Of Artificial Mettals and Mettalliques - Of the Colours of all Minerals generally - Of the Faculties or Vertues of Minerals.
p i [Title] The Second Book of the Art of Mettals, Wherein is Taught the Common Way of Refining Silver by Quicksilver With Some New Rules added for the better performance of the same. Written in Spanish by Albaro Alonso Barba; Master of Art, Curate of St. Bernards Parish in the Imperial City of Potosi, in the Kingdom of Peru in the West-Indies, in the Year, 1640. Translated in the Year, 1669. By the R.H. Edward Earl of Sandwich.
London, Printed for S. Mearne, Bookbinder to the Kings most Excellent Majesty. 1674.
p1-91 The Second Book of the Art of Mettals [in 24 chapters].
[Inserted after p88 is an engraving of a furnace with distillation apparatus.]

Becher, John Joachim [1635-1682].
Magnalia Naturae: or, the Philosophers-Stone Lately expos'd to publick Sight and Sale. Being A true and exact Account of the Manner how Wenceslaus Seilerus The late Famous Projection-maker, at the Emperours Court, at Vienna, came by, and made away with a very great Quantity of Pouder of Projection, by projecting with it before the Emperor, and a great many Witnesses, selling it, &c. for some years past. Published at the Request, and for the Satisfaction of several Curious and Ingenious, especially of Mr. Boyl, &c. By John Joachim Becher, One of the Council of the Emperor, and a Commissioner for the Examen of this Affair...
London, Printed by Tho. Dawks, His Majesties British Printer, living in Black-fryers. Sold also by La. Curtis, in Goat Court on Ludgate hill, 1680.
iv+ 31 pages.

Other editions:
[Reprint with different title page, having no mention of Becher] Magnalia Naturae: or, the Truth of The Philosophers-Stone Asserted: Having been lately expose'd to publick Sight and Sale. Being A true and exact Account of the Manner how Wenceslaus Seilerus The late Famous Projection-maker, at the Emperours Court, at Vienna, came by, and made away with a very great Quantity of Pouder of Projection, by projecting with it before the Emperor, and a Thousand Witnesses, selling it, &c. for some years past. Published at the Request, and for the Satisfaction of several Curious and Ingenious, especially of Mr. Boyl, &c. By one who was not only a Ey-Witness in the Affair, but also concern'd as a Commissioner by the Emperor fo the Examen of it. London, Printed by Tho. Dawks, His Majesties British [...] [1686]

The Harleian Miscellany: a collection of scarce, curious, and entertaining pamphlets and tracts... found in the late Earl of Oxford's library. Interspersed with historical, political and critical notes. [In 8 volumes]. London, 1744-46. [The Magnalia Naturae is included in Volume 7.]

p i The Translator To the Reader.
p1-31 Magnalia Naturae. This is an elaborate account how the Augustian monk Wenceslaus Seilerus, uncovered a quantity of the powder of projection in a monastery at Bruna in Moravia. Being naive about alchemy Wenceslaus hands the powder and some parchment leaves to an old monk, who deciphers the instructions and performs some transmutations. Wenceslaus eventually steals back the powder from the old monk who dies shortly after. He then enters into a pact with a Brother Francis in the monastery and together they perform a transmutation to obtain gold. Wenceslaus becomes rather corrupted by this wealth and arranges to have a prostitute smuggled into his chamber. This is discovered by the Abbot and Wenceslaus is locked up in a prison cell. His colleague Brother Francis organises the aid Prince Charles of Lichenstein to enable Wenceslaus to escape. Then follows a series of adventures across Europe, where Wenceslaus demonstrates his powder before various Princes and Counts, most of whom try to seize his powder of projection. He eventually received the protection of the Emperor in Vienna, and lives a life of luxury and some debauchery through the wealth of gold obtained from his transmutations. The Emperor preferred him with the title of Baron Seyler and sent him away to be Master of the Mint of Bohemia.
This is a fascenating and very detailed tale, with a moral message, about the way in which possession of the powder of transmutation can lead to a disorderly and riotous life, rather than the spiritual clarity which it promises when in the hands of the virtuous.

Beguin, John [fl. early 17th century].
Tyrocinium Chymicum: or, Chymical Essays, Aquired from The Fountain of Nature, and Manual Experience. By John Beguinus Almoner to the most Christian King of France.
London: Printed for Thomas Passenger, at the Three Bibles upon London-bridge, 1669.
6 folios + 136 pages + 2 folios. [Engraved title page inserted before printed title page]
[Translated by Richard Russell.]

Other editions.
Tyrocinium chymicum e naturć fonte et manuali experientia depromptum... n.p. 1610.
[Other Latin editions issued Coloniae 1612; Coloniae 1614; Regiomonti 1618; Cologne 1625; n.p. 1625; Coloniae 1626; Wittenbergae 1634; Wittenbergae 1640; Venetis 1643; Wittebergć 1650; Wittebergć 1656; Amstelodami 1659; Genevć 1659; Amstelodami 1669. Venetiis 1669.]
Les elemens de chymie. Paris 1615.
[Other French editions issued at Paris 1620; Paris 1624; Rouen 1632; Rouen 1637; Rouen 1647; Lyon 1658; Rouen 1659; Rouen 1660; Lyon 1665.]

f3 The Author's Dedication.
f4-4v Paracelsus in his Book of Tincture of Natural things, Chapter I. saith,... [short extract]
f4v Epigramma Authoris ad Benevolum Lectorem.
f5 To the Reader. [Probably by the translator Richard Russell.]
f6 Errata.
p1-39 Book I. This is the more theoretical portion of the book. The first chapter touches upon the definition of alchemy, and the nature of achemical medicines. The second chapter deals with the process of Solution with particular reference to the three principles of Salt, Sulphur and Mercury in the spagyric operations. Chapter 3 presents the process of Calcination as a kind of Solution, defines various other alchemical processes such as Amalgamation, Precipitation, Stratification, etc. The fourth chapter describes alchemical Extraction, and gives some details of various types of Distillation, including Rectification, Cohobation, cold and hot distillations, Filtration, Deliquium and Digestion. Then is described the 'philosophic month', Maceration, Putrefaction and Circulation. Chapter five is a short description of Coagulation. Finally, chapter six deals with luting or sealing retorts and their receivers.
Book II. This deals with the more practical aspects of Solution and Coagulation, the spagyric work, through a series of recipes for making waters of various plants, various types of acids, the preparation of the spirits of such things as wine, tartar, turpentine, sulphur, vitriol etc. Then follows a chapter on Vinegar. After this is a chapter on the making of oils from things like eggs, sage, wax, cloves, tartar, amber and various other substances. The next chapter describes the nature of liquid tinctures, then follows a description of the making of balsams, extracts and soft tinctures. Then follows sections on the process of Calcination, initially that of common salt and vitriol. Then follows the various calcinations of antimony, the calcination and preparation of Mercury, of Saturn and Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Luna and Sol. Then follows a chapter on Salts, describing a way of extracting essential salts from herbs without calcination. Next is a description of the methods for preparing flowers of sulphur and antimony, then the nature and preparation of the magisteries of tartar, pearls, corals, and sulphur. The final chapter discusses solid tinctures or panacea's of antimony and vitriol, together with some other preparations.
Book III deals with the making of quintessences. Firstly, there is described the quintessence of human blood, then that of wine and corals.
Then follows an index to the work in three pages.

Blackbeard, I.
Man's own book of three leaves. 1763.

Bolnest, Edward [fl. 1665-1672].
Aurora Chymica: or a rational way of Preparing animals, vegetables and minerals, for A Physical Use; By which Preparations they are made most efficacious, safe, pleasant Medicines for the Preservation and Restoration of the Life of Man. Authore Edwardo Bolnest Med. Reg. Ord.
London, Printed by Tho. Ratcliffe, and Nat. Thompson, for John Starkey at the Miter within Temple-Bar. 1672.
16 + 146 + 2 pages.

Other editions:
Aurora chymica. Sive rationalis methodus praeparandi animalia, vegetabilia et mineralia ad usum medicum... Hamburgii, 1675.

p3 To his Grace George Duke, Marquess, and Earl of Buckingham.
p7 To the Ingenious and Candid Reader.
p1 Aurora Chymica: The First Part. Of the Preparation of Animals.
This gives details of the preparation of quintessences of the flesh, blood, bones of man, together with their uses. There are also many recipes for making quintessences from animals, from toads, crabs, swallows, a variety of insects, vipers, etc. Recipes are also given for the preparation of quintences form various animal products such as civet musk, ambergris, beeswax, honey, and the fats and marrows of animals.
The Second Part deals with the preparations of vegetables, beginning with the quintessence and philosophic preparation of wine, damask roses, winter cherries, mint, and a vairety of herbs such as tyme, sage, agaric, hyssop, and wormwood. The third chapter introduces the means of preparing oils from vegetable matter, such as that of Jasmine, Rosemary. Chapter four gives us directions for making quintessences of Nutmeg and Cloves, while the final chapter deals with the preparation of quintessences from gum caranna and myrrh.
The Third Part is on the preparations from minerals, beginning with a series of recipes involving Gold, followed by a series of preparations involving Mercury. There are a smaller number of pages devoted to preparations from the other metals, a short section on the regulus of Antimony, recipes for making spirits or oils from salt, from amber, sal ammoniac and from sulphur.
As a postscript the author includes a short list of the medicines he uses in his own practise and promises to give further information in a future book.

Bolnest, Edward [fl. 1665-1672].
Medicina instaurata, or; A Brief Account of the true Grounds and Principles of the Art of Physick. With the Insufficiency of the Vulgar way of Preparing Medicines, and the Excellency of such as are made by Chymical Operation. Whereunto is added, a short, but plain Discourse, as a Light to the true Preparation of Animal and Vegetable Arcana's. Together with a Discovery of the true Subject of the Philosophick Mineral Mercury, and that from the Authorities of the most Famous of Philosophers. As also some small Light to the Preparation and Use of the said Mercury, in the dissolution of Minerals and Metals, for a Physical Use. By Edward Bolnest. Med. Lond. Also an Epistolary Discourse upon the whole by the Author of Medela Medicinae [Marchamont Nedham].
London, printed for John Starkey at the Mitre with-in Temple-Barr. 1665.
xxx + 151 pages.

p i -iv Dedication to his Grace George, Duke, Marquess, and Earl of Buckingham.
p v-xxviii Epistolary discourse by Mar[chamont]. Nedham, dated 10th May 1665.
p 1 Medicina instaurata; or; A brief Account of the true Grounds and Principles of the Art of Physick.
[Essentially a medical textbook with a series of recipes for the preparation of various remedies - the solar pill, the balsamic oil or quintessence of salt, a purging pill, tinctura mirabilis, balsamus vitae, and a specific benign medicine - with elaborate descriptions of their use, which constitutes about half the book. In the remaining half the author addresses various remarks to his fellow physicians concerning the state of their art. In this he takes a strongly Paracelsist line, and stresses the need for physicians to consider carefully their use of the proper medicines. He asks them not to slavishly follow Hippocates and Galen but to seek to improve upon the work of these pillars of medicine. He stresses the importance of alchemy in preparing remedies and the need to use philosophical mercury rather than vulgar mercury in their prescriptions, quoting from a number of authorites on this subject. He gives some methods for making the philosophers mercury which he describes as a clear, milky, crystalline, and silver liquor. In his concluding remarks Bolnest strongly argues for the use of spagyric Paraclesist medicines, but that physicians should understand all the details of their use, and their proper dosage.]
p148-151 A Postscript To the Ingenious and Physically Studious Reader. [This is dated April 1665. Bolnest announces his intention to write a small but methodical treatise in English, the Aurora, teaching in a clear way how to make Spagyrical preparations of animal, vegetable and mineral matter.]

Bostocke, Richard.
The difference betwene the auncient phisicke, first taught by the godly forefathers, consisting in unitie peace and concord: and the latter phisicke proceeding from idolaters, ethnickes, and heathen: as Gallen, and such other consisting in dualitie, discord, and contaritie. And wherein the naturall philosophie of Aristotle doth differ from the trueth of Gods worde, and is injurious to Christianitie and sounde doctrine... By R.B. Esquire.
Imprinted at London for Robert Walley. 1585.

Boulton, Samuel.
Medicina magica....1656.

Boyle, Robert.
Of a Degradation of Gold Made by an Anti-Elixir: A Strange Chymical Narative.
London, Printed by T.N. for Henry Herringman, at the Blew Anchor in the Lower Walk of the New Exchange, 1678.
iii + 17 pages. 210mm
Other Editions.
An Historical Account of a Degradation of Gold, Made by an Anti-Elixir: A Strange Chymical Narrative. By the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esq; The Second Edition. London, Printed for R. Montagu, at the Book-Ware-House, in Great Wilde-Street, near Lincoln's-Inn Fields. MDCCXXXIX [1739].

The Publisher To the Reader.
An Historical Account of the Degradation of God, by an Anti-Elixir.
[This takes the form of a conference between a group of philosophers, at which the main figure Pyrophilus reveals that he had been given a small quantity of an Anti- Elixir with which he had performed a experiment in which Gold had been debased and transmuted into an inferior substance. This seems to parallel and echo the transmutation described by Helvetius in his Golden Calf, published in English in 1670.]