Annulus Platonis – 1781 | Aurea catena Homeri, Rosicrucian Alchemy

Annulus Platonis is a rare 1781 German printing of the pseudo-science, alchemy treatise Aurea Catena Homeri, or Golden Chain of Homeri. This work, is attributed to both Herwerd von Forchenbrunn and Anton Kirchweger. Forchenbrunn links this work to the Rosicrucian circle of Moravia. During a time when alchemy was finally being proven a pseudo-science, this work was written to combat new scientific thinking that was prevalent throughout Western Europe in hopes of preserving alchemy as a truth. It describes experiments used in alchemical studies using simple ingredients found in the earth and water.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Annulus Platonis, oder, Physikalisch-chymische erklårung der natur nach ihrer entstehung, erhaltung und zerstohrung von einer gesellschaft åchter naturforscher
• Author(s): Herwerd von Forchenbrunn (attrib.); Anton Kirchweger (attrib.)
• Illustrator(s):
• Contributor(s):
• Publisher: Berlin: G.J. Decker
• Edition: 1781. First edition.
  • First edition of Area Catena to have the title of Annulus Platonis.
  • Does not contain a section found in the 1726 edition, otherwise nearly identical to 1723 edition.
• Format: (8vo), single volume
• Binding: Vellum over boards
• Size:  8.75 in x 5.75 in (22.2 cm x 14.6 cm)
• Collation: xxxii, 551 pp.
• Illustrations: 2 frontispieces (one folding)
• Contents Include:
  • essays on natural philosophy
  • Sections on elemental forces and matter
  • Observations on generation, preservation, and decay
  • Alchemical reflections tied to the Golden Chain tradition
• Provenance: provenance
• Reference(s): references

Condition:

Bound in vellum with significant rubbing to boards. The structure remains firm with a secure text block. Pages complete with expected wear for a work of this period.

Why Collect This?

• 1781 Berlin printing tied to the Aurea Catena Homeri tradition
• Associated with Rosicrucian intellectual circles
• Valuable for collectors of alchemical and esoteric literature

Item Number: #29320