Vol. 28: Lamspring's Process

    Lamspring's Process, written in Germany in the 15th century or earlier, was known to many of the ancient alchemists including Basil Valentine and Paracelsus. The original included fifteen enigmatic illustrations, included as grayscale images. The color illustrations in this edition are from the Latin translation of Nicolaus Majus. That manuscript from 1607 is titled Lambsprinck's De lapide philosophico. Many different sets of these illustrations have been created over the years. 
    In 1804, Sigismond Bacstrom translated the text from German, and that translation was used for this edition. He also added an extensive commentary, drawing upon commentaries from other alchemists as well as his own insight.


    Dr. Sigismund Bacstrom (circa 1750-1805), born in Scandinavia, was a physician, alchemist, and Rosicrucian. In 1794 he was initiated into the Societas Rosae Crucis by Comte Louis de Chazal, an occultist and alchemist. Bacstrom met Chazal on the island of Mauritius during Bacstrom's travels as a ship's surgeon. This meeting led to Bacstrom's interest in alchemy. Eventually he settled in London where he practiced alchemy and other ancient arts. He avidly translated many alchemical works into English at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century.

     

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    Author: Lamspring

    Translator and Commentator: Sigismond Bacstrom, M.D.

    Editors: Hans W. Nintzel and Philip N. Wheeler

    Language: English

    Color: Full-color

    Paperback:  156 pages

     PREFACE

    Sigismond Bacstrom, M.D.

     

    The subjoined processes for the manipulation of the Lapis Sophorum are those that were actually followed by a German nobleman, a great Philosopher and a real possessor of the name of Lamspring. He left behind him his process in hieroglyphical figures which were very well engraved on copper plates by Merian and published in a fourth treatise in 1625, which is very rare.

     

    Whether Lamspring himself, or someone to whom he communicated his secrets, wrote the German original from which the following pages are translated is not known. The work is highly valuable regardless of its origin.

     

    As this author gives plain instructions respecting the true Lac Virginis or mercurial water or oil of Paracelsus and other Philosophers, and stands highly recommended by Dr. Becher (Vide Stahl’s Chemistry translated by Shaw p. 421 -27), and as the work upon Mercury per se, with a Solar or Lunar ferment, in forma olei, is the greatest of all mineral or metallic works, I do not wish that it should be lost with me. In case of my death, therefore, I have translated it for you from the German copy of the process which I have in my possession.

     

    I shall only observe farther that Lamspring's fourth treatise above mentioned is written in a kind of Emblematical verses, which becomes perfectly intelligible, as do even the hieroglyphics themselves when the following pages are employed as a key.

     

    The present work is perfectly intelligible and is free from all ambiguity, but the process, taken in all its parts (for the various manipulations described have but one ultimate object) is laborious and expensive, and demands an able operator.

    It appears from the Writings of Basil Valentine that he was acquainted with this work, as was also Paracelsus who is plainer, but not plain enough. Isaac Holland seems also to have known it. It was known also at the Court of Saxony by Prince Elector Augustus about the year 1580 to 1590, and by Rudolphus Secundus Emperor of Germany some few years after; and likewise by Christianus IV, son and successor to Augustus of Saxony, all which facts seem to be well attested by documents and writings which I have examined.

     

    April 1804