Historical-Critical Dissertation on the Ancient and New Manichaeans (1763) - Page 2

Institutional library stamp: an octagonal frame in blue ink containing the letter "Q" above the number "2".

[Manichaeism]

original: "Manichéisme." A dualistic religious system based on the teachings of Mani, which thrived between the 3rd and 7th centuries.

Alticozzi.

Likely referring to Livio Alticozzi (1737–1810), an Italian Jesuit scholar known for his extensive history of the Manichaean heresy. 65† O Character circled in red ink. E SK A pasted-in circular emblem. In the gold-toned border is the text "Hermetic Philosophy" original Latin: "PHILOSOPHIA HERMETICA". The central circular field features a white pelican "in its piety"—a traditional symbol of self-sacrifice where the bird is shown piercing its own breast to feed its chicks with its blood. The pelican is perched atop a square shield divided into four quarters, each containing a red rose. Above the pelican is a golden sun or divine "glory" with blue rays against a light blue background.

Manichaeism: A major religious movement that saw the universe as a struggle between a good world of light and an evil world of darkness.
Alticozzi: An 18th-century Jesuit author who wrote "The History of Manichaeism."
Hermetic Philosophy: A philosophical and esoteric tradition based on writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.
Pelican in its piety: A Christian and alchemical symbol of sacrifice and rebirth.
Roses: Often used in esoteric traditions (like Rosicrucianism) to represent the unfolding of the soul or the heart.