Secretum Theophrasti
Printing History, Manuscripts. In Czech. One manuscript. The full title is “Kniha dokonaleho Teynost Theoffrasta Paraczelsa.” Above this title some 16th century owner has written “Secretum Theophrasti.” Sudhoff could not obtain a translation of the text. Boeren does not give the Czech title but rather: “Secretum Theophrasti Paracelsi.” According to Boeren it was edited by Otakar Zachar, a Czech historian of chemistry and alchemy, in a book or chapter called Paracelsismus in Böhmen im XVI. Jahrhundert. This, alas, was never published as far as we know. The text is, however, mentioned by Zachar in other publications.
Editions. Not edited by Huser or Sudhoff.
Relationship between different versions. Only one known version.
Structure, genre/form, perspective, style.
Relationship to other texts. The Czech text contains a section on the “Borras Theophrasti” (“Burras Theoffrastuw”) made of safran that is also part of Figierung auf Mercurium Saturni Theophrasti (§ 4.46).
Authenticity, authorship.
Time of writing. Further study required.
Manuscripts:
- Leiden, Universiteitsbibliotheek: Voss. Chym. F.3, f. 360v–361r
First printed: not printed
Essential bibliography: Sudhoff, Paracelsus-Handschriften, 693, 770, 779 n° I/24.
Further bibliographical references:
Otakar Zachar, O alchymii a českých alchymistech. Dle staročeských pramenů a rukopisů alchymických (Prague, 1911), 176–177.
Boeren, Codices Vossiani Chymici (1975), 11.
