Twelve Keys of Basilius Valentinus is one of the most important alchemical works available to modern students. His writings contain much of interest to the student of alchemy. Whether Basil Valentine is the correct name of the author or an alias does not matter since it detracts nothing from his work or the value of his experiments.

Basilius Valentinus (also known under the Anglicised version of his name, Basil Valentine) is shrouded in mystery. It is said that he was a 15th century alchemist and there are also claims that he was the canon of the Benedictine Priory of Saint Peter in Erfurt, Germany - a claim that cannot, so far, be substantiated. All that can be said for certain is that numerous publications on alchemy were published in both Latin and German under the name of Basilius Valentinus, many of which were widely translated into various European languages. What makes this edition so special are the additional...