Jocus Severus: A Serious Joke

Description

Sewn hard-cover in letterpress dust jacketn178 pages, folding plate, ( 8 ? ) 5 ? x 8 ?

Folding Plate of the Alchemical AviarynLively Narrative with Folk LorenGreat Gift BooknQuality bookmaking for beauty and longevity The Jocus Severus, or Serious Joke was pe ed by Count Michael Maier and originally published in 1617 shortly after the appearance of the Rosicrucian Manifestos and presents itself in a similar vein of criticism against ignorant minds with the added artifice of humor. A prominent voice in alchemical circles in the court of Rudolf II, Maier is best known for his emblematic text Atalanta Fugiens, which employed engraved illustrations to accompany musical notation and poetic epigrams. The present Edition presents a beautiful and lively translation from the original Latin Edition and features a folding-plate depicting the avian cast of characters found in the unfolding of Maier s Serious Joke.

This first English translation offers readers access to one of the Author s lesser known texts and provides keen insight into social, philosophical and alchemical approaches found among proponents of rosicrucian and alchemical circles of the renaissance. Author Michael Maier Author Info Michael Maier[ (Latin: Michael Maierus; 1568 ?1622) was a German physician and counsellor to Rudolf II Habsburg. He was a learned alchemist, epigramist, and amateur composer.

ISBN-13 N/a Publisher Ouroboros Press Publication Date 2010 (Originally Published 1617) Edition 1st (Limited Edition) Binding Hardcover Condition Used – Very Good Page Count 178 Pages