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ENTZELT, Christoph.

(1517 – 1586)

(Born: Saalfeld, Thüringen, Germany, 1517; Died: 15 March 1586) German theologian & geologist.

Entzelt (or the Latin Encelius) matriculated at the University of Wittenberg in 1532. He became a disciple of religious reformer Martin Luther [1483-1546] and became in 1539 church rector in Tangermünde in the state of Brandenburg. Later, in 1558, he became pastor in Ofterburg.

Biographical references: ADB: 6, 155. DBA: I 286, 160-161; II 332, 307. Ferguson, Bibliotheca Chemica, 1906: 1, 240. Hübner, Bibl. Geneal.: 20, 592. Jöcher, Gelehrten-Lexikon, 1750-51: 2, col. 357. Partington, History of Chemistry, 1961-70: 2, 64-5. Poggendorff: 1, cols. 671-2. WBI. World Who's Who in Science: 526.

  Entzelt, 1551                Entzelt, 1557

1. Latin, 1551 [First edition].
De Re | Metalli | ca, Hoc Est, De Origine, | Varietate, & Natura Corporum | Metallicorum, Lapidum, Gemmarum, atq; alia- | rum, quæ ex fodnis eruuntur, rerum, ad | Medicinæ usum deseruientium, | Libri III. | Autore Christophoro | Encelio Salueldensi. | Cum priuilegio Imper. | [ornament] | Franc. Apud Chr. Egenolphum.

8°: α8 A-R8; 144l.; [16], 1-271, [1] p., 5 woodcuts, wood cut ornament on the title page. Folding tables are paginated into the text and occur at pages 93, 98 and 102. Numerous misprints in pagination throughout the text. Page size: 154 x 98 mm.

Contents: [2 pgs], Title page, verso blank.; [2 pgs], Philip Melanchthon's prefatory letter, dated 19 August 1551.; [11 pgs], "Index."; [1 pg], Blank.; 1-271, Text.; [1 pg], Blank.

Rare. This is an important work in the study of systematic mineralogy which complements the writings of Agricola and Ercker. The author acknowledges a debt to Agricola, but since the work is focused on the medical uses of metals, stones minerals and gems, he cites Pliny, Dioscorides and Serapion more often. He repeats the ancient and medieval traditions and beliefs with regard to gems, but sometimes regards the mystical powers as suspicious. Throughout many German names are provided together with an index and mention is made of some German mines. Entzelt is critical of Albertus Magnus for listening to much to the chemists and censures him for belief in magic, although he often ascribes powers to stones that are not far of magical. Entzelt offers recipes for mixing ink and for making shoe-black. He discusses crystals used in spyglasses, the superpowers of stones found in animals, German mining regions, fossils, gemstones and amber. Throughout, Entzelt has much to say on the classification and hierarchy of minerals and metals, and illustrates his theories on numerous schematic charts and on the three folding leaves that are rarely found intact. The text is divided into three sections: metals (pp. 1-72), semi-metals (pp. 73-155) and stones, earths and gems (pp. 156-271).

Included at the beginning is a strong letter of commendation from Philip Melanchthon [1497-1560] to Egenolph, the printer at Frankfurt, dated 19 August 1551, recommending the book to be printed because it contains material found nowhere else. Since the title page is undated, this edition is ascribed to publication in that year. In comparing multiple copies of the 1557 printing to this edition, it has been determined that the text is from the same sheets in both edition, with the only differences being on the title page and on the folding table inserted at page 93. On this table in the 1551 edition, line 6 from bottom ends "...qvod Dioscorides uo-" while the same line in the 1557 edition ends "...qvod Dioscorides."

English transl., 1943: [On cover:] De Re | Metallica | de | Christophori | Encelius Salveldensis | Anno Domini 1557. [on first page after cover:] Translated for | Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corp. | Canton, Ohio | By | Miss Nellie E. Lutz, | Ph.B. | McKinley High School | Canton, Ohio | Edited By | Lloyd M. Swan, B.S.-M.A. | McKinley High School | Canton, Ohio. | Copyright 1943 By | Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corporation | Canton, Ohio.

8°: [2], [1]-95, [1] p. Bound in stiff cardboard that has been manufactured to look like ancient vellum.

[Cover] First part of the title.; [2 pgs], Title page { }continued, verso blank.; [3-4], Facsimile of Philip Melanchthon's prefatory letter to the printer Egenolphium recommending this book be printed, dated 19 August 1551.; 5-95, Text of translation.; [1 pg], Blank.

Scarce. Translation by Nellie E. Lutz and edited by Lloyd M. Swann of the first Book of De Re Metallica (2nd ed., 1557).

Bibliographical references: Beekman, Systematische Mineralogie, 1906: 24. Benzing, J., "Christian Egenolff zu Strassburg und seine Drucke (1528-1530)", Das Antiquariat, 10, (1954), no. 285. BL [987.b.23.]. Duveen, Bibliotheca Alchemica et Chemica, 1965: p. 192 ["An interesting and rare work on metallurgy and alchemy."]. Ferguson, Bibliotheca Chemica, 1906: 1, 240. Hoover Collection: no. 279. NUC: 160, 587-8 [NE 0138717]. Partington, History of Chemistry, 1961-70: 2, 64-5. Roller & Goodman, Catalogue, 1976: 1, 365. Sinkankas, Gemology Bibliography, 1993: no. 1904. Thorndike, History of Magic, 1923-58: 6, 308-10. Ward & Carozzi, Geology Emerging, 1984: no. 751. Wellcome Catalog (Books): 1, no. 2009.

2. Latin, 1557 [2nd edition].
De Re | Metalli- | ca, hoc est, de Origine, | Varietate, & Natura Corporum | Metallicorum, Lapidum, Gemmarum, Atq; alia- | rum, quæ ex fodinis eruuntur, rerum, ad | Medicinæ usum deseruientium. | Libri III. | Autore | Christophoro | Encelio Salueldensi. | Cum Priuilegio Imp. | [ornament] | Franc. Apud Hæred. Chri- | stiani Egenolphi. | [rule] | M. D. LVII.

8°: α8 A-R8; 144l.; [16], 1-92, 94-97, 99-101, 103-271, [1] p., 5 woodcuts, wood cut ornament on the title page. Folding tables are paginated into the text and occur at pages 93, 98 and 102 which accounts for the odd pagination. Numerous misprints in paging throughout the text. Page size: 155 x 100 mm.

Contents: [2 pgs], Title page, verso blank.; [2 pgs], Philip Melanchthon's prefatory letter to the printer Egenolphium recommending this book be printed, dated 19 August 1551.; [11 pgs], "Index."; [1 pg], Blank.; 1-271, Text.; [1 pg], Blank.

Very scarce. The text appears to be identical to the first edition of 1551 [see previous entry].

Bibliographical references: BL [726.b.1.(1.)]. Ferguson, Bibliotheca Chemica, 1906: 1, 240. Freilich Sale Catalog: no. 172. NUC: 160, 587-8 [NE 0138718]. Roller & Goodman, Catalogue, 1976: 1, 365. Sinkankas, Gemology Bibliography, 1993: no. 1905. Thorndike, History of Magic, 1923-58: 6, 308-10. Wellcome Catalog (Books): 1, no. 2010.

Corpus juris & systema rerum metallicarum, oder: Neu-verfasstes Berg-Buch, bestehend aus allerhand, so alten als neuern collectaneis von Bergwercks-Sachen, und zwar I. Christoph. Encelii Tractat von metallischen Dingen ... (Franckfurt am Mayn, 1698).
See under: Corpus Juris & Systema.

3. English, 1943 [English transl.].
[On cover:] De Re | Metallica | de | Christophori | Encelius Salveldensis | Anno Domini 1557. [on first page after cover:] Translated for | Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corp. | Canton, Ohio | By | Miss Nellie E. Lutz, | Ph.B. | McKinley High School | Canton, Ohio | Edited By | Lloyd M. Swan, B.S.-M.A. | McKinley High School | Canton, Ohio. | Copyright 1943 By | Ohio Ferro-Alloys Corporation | Canton, Ohio.

8°: [2], [1]-95, [1] p. Bound in stiff cardboard that has been manufactured to look like ancient vellum. Page size: 155 x 100 mm.

Contents: [Cover] First part of the title.; [2 pgs], Title page { }continued, verso blank.; [3-4], Facsimile of Philip Melanchthon's prefatory letter to the printer Egenolphium recommending this book be printed, dated 19 August 1551.; 5-95, Text of translation.; [1 pg], Blank.

Very scarce. Translation by Nellie E. Lutz and edited by Lloyd M. Swann of the first Liber of De Re Metallica (2nd ed., 1557).

Bibliographical references: NUC: 160, 587-8 [NE 0138719-20].

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