Grosparmy, Nicolas de (& others)

La clef majeure de la sapience et science des secrets de la nature où il est s[im]plement traitez des qualitez des métaux et de leurs transmutations. With works by Nicolas de Valois and Pierre Vicot, and 'Le livre de Grosparmy ecrit en 1449', etc. On p. 7 a small pen-drawn symbolic figure. Written by two contemporary hands. Pp. 1-32 La clef majeure de la sapience. 33-37 Valois (N. de). Extraict du manuscrit de Nicolas le Valois, avis à son fils unique. Explication des livres des premiers agents. 37-76 Valois (N. de). Extraict en abrégé d'un manuscrit fait sur l'oeuvre de la pierre. 77-273 Vicot (P.). La clef des secrets de philosophie. 274-340 Le livre de M. Grosparmy [ecrit] en l'an 1449. 341-346 Mathon. Mémoire. [Alchemical processes, etc.]. 347-End Duclo (G.). Alchemical processes and receipts.

Middle 17th century

1 volume 362 pp. + 2 ll. 8vo. 17 x 111/2 cm. Original calf binding, worn.

The papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking.

Purchased 1909.

Database description transcribed from S.A.J. Moorat, Catalogue of Western Manuscripts on Medicine and Science in the Wellcome Historical Medical Library (London: Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine, 1962-1973).

The best account of these little-known alchemists, Grosparmy, Valois and Vicot, is to be found in Fulcanelli. 'Les demeures philosophales'. Paris, 1930, pp. 68 et seq. They are also mentioned in Hoefer's 'Histoire de la chimie', 2nd edit. 1869. Vol. II, pp. 121, 122.