The Foundation (1687) - Page 7

⚠Significant ink bleed-through from the preceding page is visible across the top half of the sheet. Two library stamps are present at the bottom.

Contents.

I. The Secret Book

of ARTEPHIUS,

original: "ARTEPHII." Artephius was a legendary figure in alchemy, often claimed by medieval writers to have lived for over a thousand years thanks to his discovery of the "Elixir of Life."

the ancient philosopher, concerning the

Secret Art and the Philosopher's StoneThe legendary substance capable of turning base metals into gold and granting eternal life; the ultimate goal of the "Great Work" in alchemy..

II. Of JOHANNES GARLANDIUS,

original: "JOHANNIS GARLANDII." Also known as John of Garland, a 13th-century grammarian and poet to whom several alchemical works were later attributed.

original: "seu."

HORTULANUS THE ENGLISHMAN,

original: "HORTULANI ANGLI." Hortulanus (literally "The Gardener") is the pseudonym of the author of a famous 14th-century commentary on the Emerald Tablet.

Compendium of Alchemy, or Explanation of the

Emerald Tablet of Hermes Tris-

megistus.

The Emerald Tablet is one of the most famous and foundational texts of Hermeticism, containing the famous maxim "As above, so below."

III. Of ARNOLD OF VILLANOVA,

original: "ARNOLDI DE VILLA NOVA." A famous 13th-century physician and alchemist known for his works on medicine and the "Art of Distillation."

Explanation of the Commentary of Hortulanus.

IV. Of BERNARD, COUNT OF TREVISAN,

original: "BERNHARDI COMITIS TREVIS." Bernard of Trevisan was a 15th-century Italian alchemist who allegedly spent his entire life and fortune seeking the Philosopher's Stone.

a special treatise on the Philosopher’s

Stone.

A circular library stamp featuring a double-headed eagle with a shield (the Austrian Imperial coat of arms). The surrounding text in German translates to: "I[mperial] R[oyal] UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AT GRAZ" (original: "K. K. UNIVERSITÆTS BIBLIOTHEK ZU GRAZ"). A faded blue oval stamp, partially legible, indicating this book was a "Duplicate" (original: "Duplum") from a library's collection, often sold or exchanged when a library had more than one copy.