Beschreibung:

Autograph Manuscript, 4 full + 2 partial pp on a single uncut sheet of paper folded to 4to, [c. early 1670s], titled "Praeparatio mercurij ad lapidem per regulu/ am ferrum et Lunam, ex mss. Phi Americani," [Preparation of mercury to a stone through metallic antimony and silver, from mss of an American philosopher,] 26 lines to a full page, with a few cancellations and insertions, written mostly in Latin with a few lines in English, fine condition in a red half calf clamshell box. Very rare scientific Newton manuscript relating Newton’s work to that of the first published American scientist, George Starkey. The present paper records Newton’s notes on Starkey’s procedure for refining mercury to a “philosophic” state suitable for use as a universal agent of chemical transformation, i.e. for preparing “the philosopher’s stone.” Newton believed that chemistry held the key to the “active cause of gravity” and he ultimately expended more ink on chemical research than on either physics or mathematics. These notes are thought to have been made from a manuscript of Starkey’s text predating the published version of 1678. George Starkey was a Bermuda-born and Harvard-educated alchemist. He came to London in 1650 in search of ‘Vulcanian implements’ as new techniques of iron smelting were in great demand among the colonists. The practical aspects of Starkey’s alchemical procedures undoubtedly greatly influenced Robert Boyle, who is considered the first modern chemist. Although Boyle did not acknowledge his debt to Starkey, Starkey is thought by present scholars to have been Boyle’s chemistry teacher. Starkey’s work was also lauded by Locke, Leibniz and Newton himself. Newton manuscripts with any scientific content are rare in commerce. Full transcription and translation available on request. Provenance: Isaac Newton to his niece, Catherine Conduitt, by descent to the Portsmouth family, sold at Sotheby’s London, 13 July 1936 ("The Newton Papers"), lot 75. See illustration.