Theatrvm chemicvm britannicum : containing severall poeticall pieces of our famous English philosophers, who have written the hermetique mysteries in their owne ancient language
Elias Ashmole's 1652 London anthology of Middle English alchemical verse, printed by J. Grismond with engravings by Robert Vaughan, Thomas Cross and John Goddard, aimed at antiquaries and students of hermetic philosophy. The 57 plates here are chiefly woodcut initial letters — blocky Roman capitals wrapped in hatched acanthus leaves, buds and dots — usable as drop caps, monogram sources, or ornament motifs.
