View source for Kleines Commando-Büchlein

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<b>Printing History, Manuscripts.</b> Not printed. Two manuscripts known, both written in the 18th century.

<b>Editions.</b> Not edited by Huser or Sudhoff.

<b>Relationship between different versions.</b> Only one version known.

<b>Structure, genre/form, perspective, style.</b> Instructions for the preparation of magical parchments, written in the perspective of a father or teacher directly addressing the reader in the second person (“du,” “du mein Sohn”).

<b>Relationship to other texts.</b> The “Geister-Commando” published by Johann Scheible in <i>Die Sage vom Faust</i> (<i>Das Kloster</i>, vol. 5, Stuttgart 1847) is a different text not related to Paracelsus.

<b>Authenticity, authorship.</b> In a trial before the court of the Saxonian town of Pirna (1817–1820) over the accusation of treasure hunting, a manuscript called <i>Klein Commando-Büchlein oder Deutlicher Unterricht Magiam zu erlangen und die Edle Kunst Alchÿmiam sammt der Kunst</i> was confiscated. On the top of the title page is written “Philippi Theophrasti,” probably by a later hand.

&emsp;It is the same text as the <i>Klain Commando Büchlein oder deutlich Anzaig und Erklerung der unschatzbaren großen und vollkommen Kunst aller Künste und Magnalien, das größte Geheimnüß der Natur und verborgen Magia […] gleichsam zu commandiren […] als ein heilig Testament hinterlassen an seinen Sun von Johann Fust, berühmten Artist zu Maintz MCCCCLIV</i>, found among the Leipzig University Library magical manuscripts, where it is attributed to Johannes Faust rather than Paracelsus.

<b>Time of writing.</b> Further study required.

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<b>Manuscripts:</b>
* Dresden, Sächsisches Staatsarchiv: 10062 Amt Pirna, Nr. 2688; 66 pages
* Leipzig, Universitätsbibliothek: Cod. mag. 137; 15 fols. [not attributed to Paracelsus]

<b>First printed:</b> not printed

<b>Further bibliographical references:</b>

Bellingradt and Otto, <i>Magical Manuscripts</i> (2017), 60.

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