Von den Erdgeistern

I. Basic information

Printing History, Manuscripts. Not printed. One manuscript.

Editions. Not edited by Huser or Sudhoff.

Relationship between different versions. Only one version known.

Structure, genre/form, perspective, style.

Relationship to other texts. The short text about “pygmei” and “sylphae” is related to part 5 of Pseudo-Paracelsus’ De occulta philosophia and to some sections of Pseudo-Paracelsus’ Revelatio in somnio (§ ‎5.22; immediately following Von der Erdgeistern in the Breslau manuscript). Further study required. – A manuscript in the library of Johann Christian Gottfried Jahn (present location unknown) had the title VII. Stellae, oder ein Glöcklein zu machen, daß man die Schätze von denen Pygmaeis bekommen könne. Another related text is found in Kassel, Landesbibliothek, 4° Ms. chem. 25, f. 101r–110r.

Authenticity, authorship. Without title and not attributed to Paracelsus in the Breslau manuscript.

Time of writing. Further study required.

II. Sources

Manuscripts:

• Wrocław/Breslau, Biblioteka Uniwersytecka: R 2316, f. 4r–8r

First printed: not printed

Historical Manuscript Catalogues: Jahn (1754–1758), 148 n° 169.

III. Bibliography

Essential bibliography: Sudhoff, Paracelsus-Handschriften, 663.

Further bibliographical references:

Broszinski, Manuscripta chemica in quarto (2011), 85.