Voarchadumia
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Magnum Opus Sourceworks No. 39
This intriguingly titled book is one of the earliest printed works on alchemy, issued in 1530. It predates Biringuccio's Pirotechnia, the Rosarium, and the Nazari by several decades. The book significantly influenced the alchemical tradition as it evolved through the 16th and 17th centuries. Modern writers still frequently reference it, although the challenging Latin text likely remains unread by many.
Paul Ferguson has produced a clear and rigorous translation of this work, enabling people to study this difficult text for the first time. In his lengthy introduction, Ferguson explores the background of the author, Giovanni Agostino Panteo, and the impact of his text and ideas on later alchemy. The work is both theoretical and practical. Early on, Panteo distinguishes between the terms 'Voarchadumia', 'Alchemy', and 'Archemy'. His book outlines the laboratory practices of his time, involving precise measurements of weights and the exact use of various equipment. The woodcut illustrations are among the first to detail the laboratory and metalworking equipment used during that period.
Date Published: 2010
Page Number: 155
Cover Type: Handbound leather hardback
Illustrations: 15
Edition: Limited
Translated by: Paul Ferguson
Signed by: Adam McLean
