The Chemical Basilica or Alchemical Royal Jewel

A decorative horizontal border composed of repeating woodcut fleur-de-lis and floral ornaments.

Priuilegium Cæsareum Imperial Privilege.

Large ornamental woodcut initial 'F' featuring a dense pattern of scrolling vines and foliage.

FERDINAND II, by divine favoring mercy, Elected Roman Emperor, ever Augustus, and King of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, etc., Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, and Württemberg, etc., Count of Tyrol, etc. We acknowledge and by force of the present Diploma make known to all, that since our faithful beloved of the Holy Empire, Godefridus Tampach, Citizen and Bookseller of Frankfurt, has humbly asked Us, after he had published some years ago, with the assent and license of Oswald Croll—whom the Emperor Rudolph of august memory, our most worshipful uncle and predecessor, had kindly provided with a ten-year typographical diploma—the BASILICA CHYMICA Chemical Basilica of the aforementioned author, filled with the most excellent experiments of chemical remedies derived from the light of Grace and Nature, and on that account had suffered costs, labors, and not-light burdens, that We might deign to render him secure against the fraud of rivals with an Imprinting Privilege for a decade, concerning this very Work, which he desires to submit to the press again for the sake of public utility. We, of course, for our benign desire that studies opportune for protecting health may redound to the public utility, and that those who toil for this purpose may be preserved unharmed, have not wished to be absent from such humble prayers.

Therefore, by our Imperial authority, to all and singular typographers, booksellers, and others whatsoever exercising the book trade...