Rosicrucian Text

A printed volume, Theophilus Schweighardt Constantiensem's 'Speculum Sophicum Rhodo-Stavroticum' ('The Mirror of Wisdom of the Rosicrucians'), 1618, including an engraved title page and four engraved illustrations, with manuscript additions in an unknown hand. The printed text was written in 1617 by Daniel Mogling and published pseudonymously.

The Rosicrucian brotherhood, the origins of which are obscure, is supposed to possess esoteric wisdom handed down from ancient times. Its beliefs combine elements of occultism and are reminiscent of a variety of religious beliefs and practices. The name derives from the order's symbol, which combines a rose and a cross.

Open

The papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking.

The Phillipps Manuscripts at University College London were given to the College by the German government in 1912.

Dorothy K Coveney, 'A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of University College London' (London, 1935); handlist at University College London Special Collections.

Bound in limp vellum. Manuscript additions are in a single hand. 23cm.

Normal copyright restrictions apply.

The manuscript belonged to Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792-1872), baronet, an antiquary and bibliophile whose collection included c60,000 manuscripts of various kinds, some relating to the administration of Swiss towns. Various manuscripts were sold after Sir Thomas's death, some to the German government, and were dispersed to several libraries. Formerly Phillipps MS 14942.