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 24th day of May 1686. Signed: LE TELLIER Michel Le Tellier was a high-ranking French official; although he died in 1685, the name continued to represent the authority of the office of the Chancellor.: permission is granted to LAURENT D’HOURY, Merchant Bookseller, to have printed a Book entitled The Pyramid of itself by itself, etc. or the true Theory of the Philosophers’ Spirit original: "La Pyramide de soy par luy même, &c. ou la veritable Theorie de l'Esprit des Philosophes." This title refers to the "spirit" of the philosophers, likely a reference to the volatile essence or universal mercury sought in alchemy., in such volume, margin, and character, and as many times as he shall see fit, for the duration of ten 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 significant fine for the era, intended to protect the publisher’s investment in the printing costs. 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 24, 1686. Signed: ANGOT.

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