Utiles Observationes sive Animadversiones De Salibus fixis & volatilibus KUNCKEL, von LÃ wenstern, Johann [Very Good] [Hardcover]

BEAUTIFUL FIRST EDITION OF KUNCKEL'S ALCHEMICAL TREATISE IN LATIN. This book, whose title translates to Useful Observations by Johann Kunckel, Privy Chamberlain and Chemist to the Elector of Saxony, is a collection of chemical and alchemical experiments, practical observations, and theoretical insights from one of the most influential chemists of the 17th century. Kunckel's ""Utiles Observationes"" covers a wide range of topics related to practical chemistry, particularly in the fields of glassmaking, metallurgy, and the transmutation of metals. Kunckel played a crucial role in replicating and refining the process of making phosphorus, which had been discovered by Hennig Brand around 1669. Kunckel was deeply involved in improving glassmaking techniques, particularly in producing ruby glass, which he developed using gold chloride. Like many chemists of his time, Kunckel investigated the possibility of metal transmutation but took a more empirical approach. He was highly critical of fraudulent alchemists who claimed to possess the Philosopher's Stone. DETAILS AND CONDITION: First Latin Edition 12mo, full contemp. leather, raised bands on richly-gilt spine, maroon morocco spine label: Marbled endpapers, 10 lvs (including engraved frontispiece, followed by title page), 122 pp, 2 blank lvs, 12 lvs, 160 pp, 2 blank lvs. The second title page: Observationes Chymica in quibus agitur De Principiis Chymicis, Salibus acidis & volatilibus in tribus illis regnis, Minerali, Vegetabili et Animali, itemque de Odore & Colore, etc. The 12 lvs preceding the second part lists all members of the Royal Society including Robert Boyle, Robert Hooke, Christian Huygens, Gottfried Leibnitz, and Isaac Newton. Slight external wear, crossing out in ink (name of early owner?) bottom of title page. Overall VG+. RARITY: Extremely Rare . Two copies sold at auction in the last century (RBH). USTC lists eleven copies in the world's libraries with only one copy in the US (Duveen collection at the University of Wisconsin). PROVENANCE: The two blank leaves at the end have a contemp. hand-written index to the second part. Inside the front board is a contemporary bookseller s label. There is a signature top of verso of first endpaper; a different signature ( Laurentius Correard ?) top of blank preceding the second title page. This book was previously part of the Arthur C. Greenberg History of Chemistry collection. REFERENCES: Ferguson I, 484. Duveen p 329: These are the first Latin editions of Kunckel s very influential Chymische Anmerckungen(1677) and its predecessor Nützliche Observationes, (1676) see Neville I: pp 739-740. FULL TITLE: Utiles Observationes sive Animadversiones De Salibus fixis & volatilibus, Auro et argento potabili, Spiritu mundi, ∼ilibus. Item de colore & odore metallorum, mineralium aliarumque rerum quae a terra producuntur, Propria multorum annorum experientia, opera & labore diligenter investigata & animadversa, ac nunc ad multorum nobilissimae artis Chymicae Studiosorum & indifatigatorum naturae scrutatorum instantes petitiones usui eorum studioque in lucem edita. Primum ab Authore Germanice conscripta, nunc vero Latinitate donate, a Carolo Aloisio Ramsaio.