Ericus, Johannes Petrus [Johann Peter Erich] Renatum e Mysterio Principium Philologicum, In quo vocum, signorum et punctorum, tum & literarum maxime ac numerorum origo. Nec non novum variarum rerum specimen etymologicum Forma Dialogi propalatur. Auctore ioh: petro erico isennacensi thuringo. [Reborn from the Mystery of the Philological Principles, in which the origin of words, signs and points, as well as most letters and numbers, and not a new etymological sample of various things is set forth in the Form of Dialogue. By John: Peter Eric of (the town of) Eisenach of Thuringia (Germany).] Published by Ex Typographia Seminarii, Padua, 1686. First Edition
Hard Cover, 12mo.,in modern calf Cambridge style rebinding. Old library stamp and former owner's name to title page in old ink. Wood carved printer's device In Latin. Collation: pp [16] 137 [5] *8, A-H8, I7. Lacks D2,3,6,7, which are supplied as bound -in facsimile pages. Letter press fine printed upon mould-made paper featuring numerous wood-carved tailpieces, symbols, astrological signs, musical notation and decorated capitals. **CONDITION: Near Fine ** AUTHOR Johannes Petrus Ericus, (c.1641 - c.1706) was a Professor of Linguistics and Geography of Eisenach, and this work was based on the famed Elizabethan alchemist John Dee's "Monas Hieroglyphica" (1564), wherein Dee explains the meaning of a symbol [the Hieroglyphic Monad, see pages 9-11] which he himself invented. Dee believed study of this symbol led to enlightenment which would afford the user a transcendent knowledge of the universe.** Erich's work, then, extrapolates from John Dee's earlier work to prove that all alphabets can be derived from this special symbol, the Monad. It is in the form of a socratic dialogue between Theopranicus and Philologus, discussing the individual symbols, the alphabet, and a discussion on the seven notes in Western music (with a mention of Pythagorus). See p. 16-20.This book is mentioned in Umberto Eco's "The Search for the Perfect Language" (1995) in the chapter on John Dee titled "Dee's Magic Language". REFs: OCLC 1014581605. USTC 1702324. Author, CERL cnp02149572.

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