The Key of Solomon

I have since seen one or two collections of a similar character, but they are by no means in the same good condition or clear handwriting, nor at all equal in bulk to the manuscript before me.

Considering its remarkable value for the folk-lorist and antiquarian, I have now determined to produce the same in its entirety. In the following pages I have given an exact reproduction of the original manuscript in my possession, even as regards size; a facsimile by collotype A photographic printing process used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to produce high-quality, detailed reproductions of documents. process—a method rendered the more necessary on account of the numerous diagrams and illustrations with which the manuscript is interspersed.

In these brief introductory remarks I do not propose to repeat the details which I published concerning the work in 1903; at the time, I intended this small publication to be a fairly full description, or better perhaps a skeleton outline, of this practically unique compilation. I shall but briefly summarize the conclusions then arrived at, and leave the reader to consult the original Hebrew for fuller information by the aid of the brochure which I issued ten years ago.

Furthermore, both in order to serve as examples of the contents of this work, and also as a guide in deciphering the Hebrew cursive script of an Italo-Spanish Also known as Sephardic cursive, this is a specific style of Hebrew handwriting used by Jewish communities in the Mediterranean region. character, in which this copy is written, I am giving in this Introduction a transcript in square Hebrew character of a few of the passages occurring herein, of some the text simply, of others text and translation, or translation alone, reserving the publication of a complete rendering of the original for another occasion. (Pagination is given throughout in the usual figures instead of the Hebrew ones found in the original.)

As far as the scope of this compilation is concerned, it is most varied in character. Its references extend to Philosophy, Medicine, and Alchemy An ancient branch of natural philosophy that sought to transform matter—most famously to turn lead into gold—and discover the elixir of life.; Astronomy and Mathematics; Theology and Physiognomy The practice of assessing a person's character or personality based on their facial features or physical appearance.; Logic, Music, and Politics.

The general impression conveyed by a perusal of the work itself, is that it is Jewish in tone. Some of the invocations read as beautiful and pure Hebrew prayers, and could only have been composed by a Hebrew, whilst the spirit underlying the invocations, as well as the formulae themselves, strike one at frequent intervals as non-Jewish. The Jewish character of the work as a whole is thus often affected by the foreign elements introduced. Some parts, in fact, read as translations from some Western source, or adaptations from Arabic sources. The Book, like most of these magical writings, is a true image of that syncretism The merging or attempted merging of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought. so characteristic of this class of literature.

The supposed Salomonic origin of the work, and Solomon’s connexion with the Magic Art, may be seen from passages such as the following:

This is a composition from the house of Solomon, peace be upon him, written in two books (fol. 6 b) original Hebrew: "Zeh hu hibur mi-be[it] Shelomo a"h ha-nikhtav bi-shnei sefarim"
This book belongs to Solomon, the chief of the wise men . . . . this book is the adjuration of Solomon . . . . this adjuration is from Solomon son of David, the Great King (ff. 43 a–43 b) original Hebrew: "Ha-sefer ha-zeh hu le-Shelomo rosh ha-hakhamim . . . . zeh ha-sefer hashva'at Shelomo . . . . ha-shva'ah ha-zot mi-Shelomo ben David ha-Melekh ha-Gadol"

The title-page of this copy (though mutilated as regards the chief word, for obvious reasons, as I have shown in my brochure, p. 17) points to King Solomon as author. It speaks of the book as that of ‘Solomon, son of David, King of Israel’,