Al christianissimo, et invittissimo Re Arrigo Secondo. Parigi, Rinaldo Calderio, et Claudio suo figliuolo, 1548, in-4, pp. ff. (8), 180, carattere corsivo su due colonne; magnifica leg. settec. in marocch. granata con ampia bordura a foglie e fiori impressa in oro sui piatti, dorso a nervi con tit. e ricchi fregi oro, tagli dor, dentelle int., attribuita a "Nicolas-Denis Dérome, le Jeune". Titolo racchiuso in elegante bordura silogr. con piccola marca tip. al centro, una bella iniz. ornata. Lunga dedica dell'autore al Re di Francia Enrico II nella quale traccia la storia dell'origine e dell'istituzione dei Cavalieri Erranti, detti della Tavola Rotonda; testo su due colonne in nitidissimo car. corsivo. Prima edizione di questo celebre fortunato poema cavalleresco di 24 libri in ottave, rifacimento abbastanza fedele del romanzo francese in prosa "Gyron le Courtois" . Esempl. stupendo (ma con cerniere della legatura deboli). Ex-libris Edgard Stern. Gamba n. 21. Razzolini p. 9-10. Melzi n. 746. Ferrario IV, pp. 230-1. Olschki, Choix XII, 18283.

(english version)

KHUNRATH, Heinrich.  Amphitheatrum Sapientiae Aeternae, Solius Verae, Christiano-Kabalisticum, Divino-Magicum... Hallelu-Iàh ! Phy diabolo. E millibus vix uni. Rumpantur et ilia Momo. Anno MDCII. Hanau, excudebat Gulielmus Antonius, 1609
folio, pp. 60, 222, (2), uncut in its original boards (spine restored). Engraved emblematic title-page; portrait of Khunrath by Diricks van Campen; 9 plates on double-page, one plate of the "wise old owl"; 2 double-page tables. First Complete edition. A follower of Paracelsus, Khunrath (1560-1605) was a celebrated physician, alchemist, and Kabbalist. He believed himself to be an adept of various spiritual traditions of alchemy dominated by the Paracelsian belief in the divine science of medicine as a privilege of the initiated. DSB "it forms a link between a philosophy influenced by Dee (whom he met!) and the philosophy of the Rosicrucian manifestos". A very genuine and fine copy with full margins and fine dark rich impressions of these famous plates; usual age-toning throughout. Yates, Rosicrucian p.38. "I am particularly impressed with Kuhnrath's pursuit of the Philosopher's stone for the avowed end of merging with Divine Wisdom, his combined use of Kabbalah, music and alchemy and his bold interpretation of the holy scriptures. His emblems are a veritable treasure-house". Stanislaus De Rola p. 30. "it may justly be referred to as one of the best known alchemical works: the plates with which it is illustrated are remarkable both for their subject-matter and their execution". Duveen 319. Ferguson I, 463-464. Klossowski,  p. 29-44.