Von den vier Arcana

also:
Die vier arcana Theophrasti sambt derselben explication

I. Basic information

Printing History, Manuscripts. Not printed. Several manuscripts.

Editions. Not edited by Huser or Sudhoff.

Relationship between different versions. Only one known version.

Structure, genre/form, perspective, style. Explains four Paracelsian arcana: Prima materia, lapis philosophorum, mercurius vitae, and tinctura.

Relationship to other texts. The text is also part of Johannes de Sole’s Arcana arcanorum. Further study required.

Authenticity, authorship. Obviously not attributed to Paracelsus, but rather an explanation or interpretation of some spurious works (not named).

Time of writing. Further study required.

II. Sources

Manuscripts:

Von den vier Arcana

• Hamburg, Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek: Cod. alchim. 664, 153–156

Johannes de Sole, Arcana arcanorum

• Bamberg, Staatsbibliothek: Msc. Nat. 13
• Philadelphia (PA), Penn Libraries: Ms. Codex 128
• Praha, Strahovská knihovna: Cod. DF IV 36, f. 52r–83r
• Wolfenbüttel, Herzog August Bibliothek, Cod. 264.31 Extr., ca. 668–691

First printed: not printed