Leonhart Thurneisser zum Thurn (1531-1596) – Scholar, alchemist and 'miracle doctor' at the court of the Brandenburg elector Johann Georg, main representative of Paracelsus' medical theories in the 16th century
'Zehen Bücher. Von kalten, Warmen, Minerischen und Mettallischen Wassern…'
Printed by Lazarus Zetzner in Strasbourg in 1612
Second edition of Thurneisser's famous work on alchemy; the first edition was published with the title 'Pison' in 1572
The book covers minerals in German rivers. The author attributes not only medical effects to the minerals, but also moral ones. The water of the river Havel, for instance, was said to be very unhealthy and heavy, as it made women who drank it evil and gossipy
Collation: 3 leaves, incl. title and preface; pages 1-7 (misbound); 324 (recte 322) pages; 24 leaves register; 2 leaves title and preface; pages 8-13; complete
Bound in a vellum binding using an original medieval antiphonal leaf (Italy, around 1450) with 2 fine penwork initials
Dimensions of small folio volume: 30 x 20.5 x 3.5 cm
Complete copy in good condition
Reference: VD17, 23:298020P; Wellcome I, 6294; Hollstein IV, 153.
Object is regular taxed. 7% VAT is added to the purchase price for deliveries within the EU

Complete title:

'Zehen Bücher. Von kalten, Warmen, Minerischen und Mettallischen Wassern. Samt deren Vergleichung mit den Plantis oder Erdgewächsen. Durch Leonhart Thurneissern zum Thurn mit grosser Mühe und Arbeit/ gemeinem Nutz zu gut an Tag gegeben. Itzundt Aber auffs new durchsehen an vielen Orten/ Idoch ohn Schmelerung des Authoris Texts corrigirt und verbessert. Dem ein kurtze Beschreibung des Selbacher Brunnens oder Badts/ Samt etlichen Fragen vom Saurbrunnen hinzugethan. Durch Joannem Rudolphum Salzman Med. Doct. Zu Straßburg.'

Condition:

Print mostly strong and on firm paper. Evenly browned throughout, few leaves with stronger browning. With slight brownish stains due to paper's quality.

Leonhart Thurneisser zum Thurn (1531-1596)

As scholar and miracle doctor at the court of the Brandenburg elector Johann Georg, Thurneisser had great knowledge in chemistry, metallurgy, botany, mathematics, astronomy and medicine. Thurneisser met the elector Johann Georg for the first time in Frankfurt/Oder, where the elector's wife was in treatment with Thurneisser. The elector Johann Georg then appointed him his personal physician. Johann Georg placed a part of a former Franciscan monastery at Thurneisser's disposal, today it is known as the 'Gray Monastery'. Leonhard Thurneisser set up his domicile, library, a print shop as well as a laboratory in the monastery. His self-made medicine soon made him a rich man, additionally, he sold astrological calendars, horoscopes and talismans for protection from evil. In his print shop he produced writings in various alphabets and used German, Latin, Greek and Hebrew letters, as well as Arabic characters. He set up Brandenburg's first scientific cabinet, kept a botanic garden and had exotic animals.

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