| Description Of Item | From the collection of Thomas Houissine. The Turba Philosophorum is the name of a collection of about 70 anonymous tracts, probably dating from the 12th century. It introduced many of the key themes of the alchemical tradition and was often quoted in later writings. In this version there are sub-headings that refer to Bernard Trevisan, Arnold de Villa Nova, Avicenna, hermeticism, Plato etc. The text is in one hand with extensive margin notes.
An inscription on the flyleaf indicates that the volume was donated by Thomas Houissine on 1 January 1708. Amongst the writing on the first page is the possible date 1349 or 1549. On the second page is the inscription, in the same hand as the one with Houissine's name, 'Dominus Johannes Napier Baro. mirabilis Marchi-stone Scotus vixit, nec non scripsit. 1599'. It is not known whether it was Houissine, Napier or another scholar who compiled the volume. There is another collection at ERG/1/1/3 which differs from this one. |