The Private Diary of Dr. John Dee, and the Catalogue of His Library of Manuscripts, from the Original Manuscripts in the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford and Trinity College Library, Cambridge
London: Printed for the Camden Society, 1842. Decorative Cloth. The very uncommon 1842 1st edition of this original publication of "two curious documents concerning Dr. John Dee", the great 16th century occut philosopher (1527-1609) who devoted much of his life to the study of alchemy, divination and Hermetic philosophy. 1) "His Private Diary, written in a very small illegible hand on the margins of old Almamacs, discovered a few years ago by Mr. W.H. Black, in the library of the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford". 2) "A Catalogue of his Library of Manuscripts, made by himself before his house was plundered by the populace, and now preserved in the library of Trinity College, Cambridge". This 1842 volume, a slim octavo in its original chocolate-brown boards, has held up very nicely. Solid and VG+, with decorative blindstamping to the panels and still-bright gilt-titling and flourishes along the spine. Just a touch of light bubbling to the rear panel, small, neat former owner name and 1940 date at the front free endpaper. Apart from this, clean as could be, with no other writing or markings of any kind internally and a strong, very sturdy binding. By any measure, an impressive copy of this rare mid 19th century examination (through his diary and his personal library of manuscripts) of the mind of Dr. John Dee. Very Good +. Item #16953
Price: $4,000.00