Johann Gerlach

Occulta scripta chymica.

The content of the manuscript divides as follows:

Pp.1-6: four psalms in German, and two Latin prayers.

Pp.7-178 Secreta alchemica: in cipher, German.

Pp.179-180: prayers in German.

Pp.181-187: Elixir vitae: list of ingredients in Latin.

Pp.188-209: alchemical and medicinal receipts, prayers, etc.: mainly in cipher, and in German, but "Virtutes olei" (pp.191-193) in Latin en clair. At the end "Scriptum Gottersdorff in meo exilio apud pastorem Severinum Drescherum Anno 1572".

Pp.210-219: Ciment Regal: in German.

Pp.221-252: Libellus de creatione omnium rerum Anno 1575 Die 23 Augusti. In der Naunburgk an der Sala. Authore Johanne Girlachio: in German. At the end "Anno Domini 1575 Die Jovis 25 Augusti".

Lapis philosophorum. 1576 Die Saturni 25 February: in German. The end is wanting.

Illustrated with numerous small water-colour symbolic alchemical drawings, some heightened with gold.

Text within pen-drawn rules: some entries in red ink.

Pp.1-178 are written entirely in cipher; pp.179-207 are partly in cipher and partly en clair; the remainder are en clair. Pp.253-321 and 335-350 are blank. The cipher consists of 51 symbols; a manuscript key to this, by Julius Kohn, is inserted.

On the lower margin of folio 1 is an inscription "Daniel Crusius à K. cit[atum] in Catalogo".

On the added leaf before f.1 is the title "Johanne Guirlachio / Guerlizensis / Occulta Scripta / Chymica. / Manuscriptum rarissimum / Renov[atum] / Anno 1760".

On the verso is a note in German by the same hand, stating that the manuscript was originally bound in green velvet dated 1575 with a gold-stamped panel of the Crucifixion. As the binding had perished through age, the writer had the volume rebound in 1760. Below this inscription is a monogram "J D?".

On pp.260-261 Julius Kohn has written out the cipher in reverse order Z-A, and continues (in cipher) "In my end is my beginning Julius Kohn London November 1889".

Produced at Gottersdorff, 1572, and Naunburg, 1575-1576.

1l. + 350 pp. 12mo. 13.5 x 7.5 cm.

18th century calf binding worn. Pp.329-334 wanting; p.9/10 slightly damaged.