Light Emerging of Itself from Darkness

Extract of the King’s Privilege.

By the grace and Privilege Privilege: a legal monopoly granted by the French Crown to a publisher, acting as an early form of copyright protection to ensure only one person could profit from a specific book. of the King, given at Versailles on the 2nd day of May, 1686. Signed: LE PETIT. Permission is granted to LAURENT D’HOURY, Merchant Bookseller, to have printed a Book entitled Light issuing by itself from Darkness, or the true Theory of the Philosophers’ Stone original: "La Lumiere sortant par soy même des Tenebres, ou la veritable Theorie de la Pierre des Philosophes." This title is characteristic of alchemical literature, which often used the metaphor of light emerging from shadows to describe the process of transmutation or spiritual enlightenment., in such volume, margin, and character, and as many times as he shall see fit, for the duration of six consecutive years. And all others are forbidden from printing it without the express consent of the Petitioner or his legal successors, under penalty of two thousand livres A substantial fine for the 1680s, roughly equivalent to several years of income for a typical tradesman. in fines, the confiscation of any counterfeit copies, and all costs, damages, and interests, as is more fully detailed in the said Privilege.

Registered in the Book of the Guild of Printers and Booksellers of Paris on May 27, 1686. Signed: ANGOT.

Printing completed for the first time on November 15, 1686.