OF THE GOLD-BEARING

original: "Auriferae." In this context, it refers to the "art of making gold," or alchemy.

ART,

WHICH THEY CALL CHEMISTRY, BY THE MOST ANCIENT AUTHORS, In the 16th century, the terms "chemistry" and "alchemy" were often used interchangeably to describe the study of matter and its transformations.

THE ASSEMBLY OF THE PHILOSOPHERS. original: "Turba Philosophorum." This is one of the earliest and most famous Latin alchemical texts, written as a transcript of a debate among ancient sages (such as Anaxagoras and Pythagoras) regarding the creation of the Philosopher's Stone.

An ornate woodcut printer's mark within a decorative frame. The central oval depicts a figure standing in a landscape, holding a staff in one hand and a lantern in the other. A motto is inscribed around the oval: "YOUR WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET." original Latin: "VERBVM TVVM LVCERNA PEDIBVS MEIS," a reference to Psalm 119:105. The frame is embellished with scrolls, foliage, and two putti at the base.

With the privilege of the Imperial Majesty.

A "privilege" was an early form of copyright granted by the Holy Roman Emperor, protecting the printer from unauthorized reprints.

BASEL.

AT THE HOUSE OF PIETRO PERNA.

Pietro Perna (1519–1582) was an influential Italian printer active in Basel, known for publishing works on the Reformation, medicine, and the "Great Art" of alchemy.

1572.