Bidspirit auction | 1531 TREATISE BY GERMAN ALCHEMIST

1531 TREATISE BY GERMAN ALCHEMIST & CABBALIST AGRIPPA OF NETTESHEIM OCCULT MAGIC - AGRIPPA (Henri-Corneille). De incertitudine & vanitate scientiarum & artium, atque excellentia Verbi Dei declamatio. Antwerp [Paris], sn [Jean Bignon]; 1531 marbled sheepskin, gilt decorated spine with raised bands, red edges Parisian counterfeit published under a false Antwerp address after the original edition was condemned by the Faculty of Theology. The Discourse on the Uncertainty and Vanity of the Sciences is one of the most important works by the German alchemist and cabalist Agrippa of Nettesheim (1486-1535). The author refutes the power of human reason and delivers a vigorous and biting critique of the sciences and profane arts. This book earned him an accusation of heresy and magic. Old manuscript annotations on the title and last leaf. Handwritten bookplate at the top of the title page: Coll. Burgensis Soc. Jesu cat. 1655. Very good interior, minor wear. Size 4 1/4 by 6 1/4 inches 160 pp. Text in Latin Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim (1486 – 1535) was a German Renaissance polymath, physician, legal scholar, soldier, knight, theologian, and occult writer. Agrippa's Three Books of Occult Philosophy published in 1533 drew heavily upon Kabbalah, Hermeticism, and Neoplatonism. His book was widely influential among esotericists of the early modern period, and was condemned as heretical by the inquisitor of Cologne. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All lots are sold ”as-is”, refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions will ship all lots domestically for $25.00 per lot. Combined and international shipping are available. The rates will be provided upon request.