Weimar, Carl Ludolf Hoffmann, 1777. Small 8vo. A bit later marbled boards. Spine gone. (22),437,(3) pp. Light toning to text and some scattered brownspots.
Scarce first edition of Wiegleb's most importent work and one of the most importent historical criticism of the alchymistic theories of transmutations. ""Wiegleb’s critical attitude in assessing scientific questions earned him high esteem in learned circles. After several years of work he published Historisch-kritische Untersuchung der Alchemie (1777), which went through a second edition. In this work he stated: ""The best accounts from the period when the name alchemy is encountered, . . . are examined, and it is thereby demonstrated that they are, taken together, incapable of confirming the reality of alchemy. Then, the strongest proof is adduced to show that the entire imaginary art of alchemy is impossible according to all known, certain natural laws of human art: thus [it is shown] that it has never truly been practiced by anyone."" Wiegleb carefully examined famous reports of the transformation of metals and pointed out their deficiencies: in a short time his work became widely known. His motto was ""To doubt is the beginning of knowledge,"" so it is all the more as tonishing that Wiegleb was a convinced proponent of Stal’s phlogiston theory throughout his life."" (DSB).Ferguson II, 546. - Duveen, 620.
WIEGLEB, JOHANN CHRISTIAN - JOHANN NICOLAUS MARTINUS - GOTTFRIED ERICH ROSENTHAL.
Reference : 56465
(1789)
Berlin und Stettin, Friedrich Nicolai, 1789-1805. Bound in 19 uniform contemp. hcalf. Gilt spines. Tome- and titlelabels with gilt lettering. Light wear to top of spine on 2 volumes. A paperlabel pasted on upper compartments. Stamps on title-pages. Complete with 241 folded engraved plates. In general fine and clean. A few minor brownspots. Scattered brownspots to volume 19/20.
The work deals mainly with the natural sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, optics, technology etc. etc.Poggendorff II,1320.
Nuremberg, Raspe, 1764 fort vol. in-8, [3] ff. n. ch. (titre, préface), 1648 colonnes, texte sur deux colonnes, avec un frontispice allégorique gravé par Claussner, et une planche de géométrie hors texte, demi-vélin cerise à coins, dos à nerfs fleuronné, pièce de titre, tranches mouchetées (relirue de l'époque). Plat inférieur marqué par l'humidité, coupes abîmées, des mouillures claires angulaires au milieu de l'ouvrage.
La première édition remonte à 1759. Comme on peut le lire à l'énoncé profus du titre, l'ambition de ce dictionnaire couvre un grand nombre de matières, mais c'est essentiellement comme Zauberlexicon et pour ses informations sur la magie et l'occultisme qu'iil demeure recherché.Absent de Caillet et de Dorbon. Un seul exemplaire de cette édition au CCF (Dijon), les autres répertoriés en France relevant soit de l'originale (BnF, Strasbourg), soit de la troisième édition (1784, Strasbourg). - - VENTE PAR CORRESPONDANCE UNIQUEMENT