Forum Rare Books | Rare Books

< Back

Rare theological work by 'the Luther from Württemberg', and founder of modern Rosicrucianism'

[ANDREAE, Johann Valentin].
Mythologiae Christianae sive virtutum & vitiorum vitae humanae imaginum. Libri tres.

Engraved allegorical title for book 1, woodcut vignette on titles of book 2 & 3, woodcut initials.

Argentorati [=Strassburg], Heirs of Lazarus Zetzner, (1619). 3 parts in 1 vol. 12mo. Contemporary vellum with title in ink on spine. Engraved allegorical title for book 1, woodcut vignette on titles of book 2 & 3, woodcut initials. (24), 352, (7, 1 blank) pp.

With:
(2) (GESSEL, Timan). Synopsis locorum sacrae scripturae patrum, et recentiorum quorundam Theologorum, quibus demonstratur, quaenam sint ad salutem creditu necessaria & sufficientia. Collegit Simplicius Christiano Catholicus.
Amsterdam (J. Blaeu), 1650. Title printed in red and black, woodcut headpieces and initials. (38), 197, (1) pp.

Ad 1: Rare first edition of this collection of allegories in which Andreae shows a wide knowledge of contemporary affairs. The edition 'Strassburg, 1618' mentioned by Dünnhaupt, doesn't exist and traces back to Mälzer, who described the Tübingen copy incorrect. This work also doesn't contain a second part of the Menippus as Dünnhaupt also states. Andreae calls it a Christian book of fairytales (Gilly, p. 113). A second edition was published in Utrecht in 1666, a third in Amsterdam in 1671.
The small volume combines longer essays (e.g. Alethea Exul ('Truth in Exile')) with short pieces which in the case of Mythologiae are set out alphabetically in blocks or 'manipuli' in three books, each of which is divided into short sections on a varied collection of topics. Some examples: Manipulus I, 2: 'Alchymia' (Andreae lifted most of the following piece on alchemy, with minor changes and no acknowedgement, from Barclay's (1605) Euphormionis Lusini Satyricon Pt I): Alchemy is that art which imitates the work of God, and by correcting the slow steps of Nature and simulating the power of the sun by a gentle, vital heat raises the subtle Mercury, which is the seed of all the metals, through ever-higher spheres to the sublime elevation of gold. A section on 'Tragoedia' expresses strong approval of dramatic performances. Andrea states that it is a Christian act to construct public theatres where plays (ludos) with rich scenes are shown. The section on 'Fraternitas' is certainly an allusion to the R.C. Fraternity. He speaks of it an 'an admirable Fraternity which plays comedies throughout Europe.' At the end there is a dialogue between Philalethes and Alathea in which according to Waite and Arnold proof can be seen that Andreae turned against the Rosicrucian movement, perhaps because he was alarmed at the course events were taking. It is Andreae's strong interest in the drama which helps to explain the ludibrium of R.C. Fraternity as, not a hoax, but a dramatic representation of a profoundly interesting religious and intellectual movement.
Johannes Valentinus Andreae (1586-1654), 'the Luther from Württemberg' was a German theologian, religious administrator and mystic. He studied physical and mathematical sciences as well as theology at Tübingen and, as a young man, attended meetings of the Rosicrucian Order. Between 1607 and 1614 he visited the Rhineland (including Heidelberg and Strasburg), France and Switzerland (notably Geneva), and Rome. Between 1607 and 1614 he visited the Rhineland (including Heidelberg and Strasburg), France and Switzerland (notably Geneva), and Rome. In 1614 he became curate of Vaihingen; encountering suspicion and hostility in the parish, he devoted himself to religious writings. Between 1607 and 1614 he visited the Rhineland (including Heidelberg and Strasburg), France and Switzerland (notably Geneva), and Rome. His writing, much of which is in Latin, is mainly devotional or expository prose. He inclined to mysticism and Pietism. Andreae claimed to be the author of the anonymously published Chymische Hochzeit Christiani Rosencreutz anno 1459 (Strassburg, Lazarus Zetzner, 1616), one of the three founding works of the Rosicrucians. His role in the origin of the Rosicrucian legend is controversial. In his autobiography he indicated the Chymische Hochzeit as one of his works. In his later works, alchemy is the object of ridicule and is placed with music, art, theatre and astrology in the category of less serious sciences.

Ad 2: First edition of this theological work by Timan Gessel (or Timannus Gesselius) (born ca. 1591-1664), theological writer and teacher. He was a remonstrant and lived in Nijmegen and later in Utrecht, where he died at an advanced age. His Historia Sacra was honored by the state of Utrecht with a silver medal but his Antiqua et vera fides was put on the Index.

Good copies.- (First title sl. damaged; ad 2: author's name in ink on title).

Ad 1: Dünnhaupt I, p. 265, 16.II (calls for a folding plate but none of he traced copies mention one); Wellcome I, 302; VD17: 12:105642E; Hall, Alchemy, 9; Wolfsteig II,42372 ('selten'); Yates, The Rosicucian Enlightment, pp. 137, 140-44; A.E. Waite, Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross, p. 205; Arnold, Rose-Croix, p. 194; Gardner, Rosicruciana, 37; C. Gilly, Johann Valentin Andreae, 1586-1986. Die Manifeste der Rosenkreuzerbruderschaft, no. 41; ad 2: NNBW VI, 580.

Related Subjects: 17th Century Religion Rosicrucians Theology

Add to Shopping cart

€ 7.500,00

Prices in EUROS (€), shipping and BTW/VAT extra.

< Back

Terms of sale

All items are offered subject to prior sale. Prices are nett and in (€) EURO. VAT/BTW, postage, and insurance are not included.

Free shipping for orders over € 2,500. EU customers: if applicable, please quote your VAT number when placing orders.

Preferred mode of payment: by credit card through our secure online payment service, which is facilitated by Ogone. If you wish to make other arrangements, please contact us. Terms of sale

E-mail this to a friend

Antiquariaat FORUM B.V.
Tuurdijk 16
3997 MS t Goy-Houten,
The Netherlands

Phone: (+31) (0)30 601 1955
Fax: (+31) (0)30 601 1813
E-mail: info@forumrarebooks.com
Web: http://www.forumrarebooks.com