Ad 1: Rare second Latin edition of an interesting work on mining in general and on the German mining industry in particular, containing descriptions of old and new methods and procedures, by Johann Rudolph Glauber (1604-1670), a Vienna-born alchemist and chemist who lived mostly in Amsterdam after 1640. The heirs of Mathias Merian at Frankfurt am Main published the first edition (in German) in 1651 as Operis mineralis (oder vieler künstlichen und nützlichen Metallischen Arbeeiteen). Janssonius at Amsterdam published editions in both the original German and in Latin translation in the years 1651 to 1652. He published the present second Latin edition in 1657 and went on to publish other Glauber works, finally issuing them as Glaubers Opera omnia, 1657-1669.
Ad 2: Very rare Latin 1658-edition (apparently the first in its definitive form) of Glaubers treatise on drinkable gold. He wrote on this subject in German in 1646 (Gugel 2), and Janssonius published a Latin translation in 1651, but his present treatise is usually regarded as a separate work. Janssonius published its first editions in German and the present Latin, both in 1657. Glauber later included it in his Opera chymica (Frankfurt 1658) and other collections. He believes, in the true alchemical tradition, that he can find and make a universal medicine on the basis of saltpetre and gold. Samuel Hahnemann revived the medicinal use of gold around 1800 in his homeopathy, where it remains in use today, though in powdered rather than liquid form.
With an erased owner's inscription on the first title-page. Otherwise in good condition. Ad 1: Gugel no. 15, vol. 3 (cf. no. 3); cf. STCN (1651-1652 & 1659 eds.). Ad 2: Gugel no. 9 (cf. no. 2); cf. STCN (1657 German & 1658 Latin eds.).