The Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica brings together manuscripts and printed works in the field of the Hermetic tradition, more specifically the ‘Christian-Hermetic’ tradition. The term ‘Christian-Hermetic’ serves as a reminder that the Hermetic works were commented on and/or absorbed in the Christian context, initially in the works of the Church Fathers, notably Augustine and Lactantius. Following the ‘ad fontes’ principle, the library tries to collect the oldest instances of works which fall within its sphere of interest, that is to say: manuscripts or first and early editions, without, however, ignoring subsequent written and printed sources. To date, the library holds more than 22,000 volumes: ca. 700 manuscripts (85 of which date before 1550), ca. 5,000 books printed before 1800 (305 of which are incunables, books printed before 1500) and ca. 17,000 books (primary and secondary sources) printed after 1800.
Museum: Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica-Ritman LibraryCity: Amsterdam
Country: Netherlands
Address: Bloemstraat 13-19
Website: http://www.ritmanlibrary.nl