Emblemata.- Alchemy.- Maier (Michael) Atalanta fugiens, hoc est, emblemata nova de secretis naturae chymica, first edition, second issue of one of the most important works in alchemical literature, Oppenheim, Hieronymus Galler for Johann Theodor de...

Emblemata.- Alchemy.- Maier (Michael) Atalanta fugiens, hoc est, emblemata nova de secretis naturae chymica, first edition, second issue (only the date altered from 1617), engraved historiated title and 50 emblems by Matthias Merian the elder, each emblem accompanied by a piece of music, woodcut head-pieces and decorative initials, with final blank, water-stained at upper inner gutter and margins, some staining and finger-marking, lightly browned, 19th century marbled boards, spine ends and corners worn, rubbed, [Duveen p.381; Ferguson II, p.62; Landwehr German 409; Wellcome I, 3980], small 4to, Oppenheim, Hieronymus Galler for Johann Theodor de Bry, 1618.

⁂ One of the most important works in alchemical literature. 'The Atalanta Fugiens is generally regarded as Maier's rarest work and it is also the most sought after, for the splendid engravings which belong to the finest samples of Hermetical illustration' (Duveen). Maier was a celebrated alchemist and physician at the court of the Emperor Rudolf II in Prague.