Über den wahren Ursprung der Rosenkreuzer und des Freymaurerordens. Nebst einem Anhange zur Geschichte der Tempelherren.
Sulzbach: Seidel, 1803. Illustrated with a woodcut image at the end. First edition. Bound in 19th-century hard paper with panels covered in marbled paper. The spine features a green title vignette. 160 p. The binding shows some rubbing at the extremities, and a later shelfmark vignette is mounted on the upper part of the binding. Old shelfmarks in ink are visible on the inner panels, and an old ownership stamp is present on the title page. Overall, the book is in very good condition.
A rare work by Murr, exploring the historical and esoteric origins of the Rosicrucians and Freemasons.
This seminal work by Christoph Gottlieb von Murr investigates the historical and philosophical roots of the Rosicrucians and Freemasons, two influential and often mysterious secret societies. Murr examines their emergence, drawing on esoteric traditions such as alchemy, theosophy, and the scientific and mystical legacy of Paracelsus. Through an analysis of historical texts, symbols, and key figures, Murr critiques previous scholarly interpretations and reconstructs the intellectual and cultural context that fostered these movements.
The book also includes an appendix focused on the Knights Templar, exploring their historical legacy and connections to the ideologies and organizational structures of the Rosicrucians and Freemasons. Murr presents an analytical narrative supported by historical documents and figures, offering a scholarly yet accessible perspective.
Christoph Gottlieb von Murr (1733–1811) was a German historian and polymath based in Nuremberg, renowned for his interdisciplinary scholarship across history, literature, natural sciences, and esotericism. A prolific author of over 40 books and numerous articles, Murr contributed significantly to 18th-century intellectual culture, often exploring the intersection of historical scholarship and contemporary interests in mysticism and secret societies. His work, Über den wahren Ursprung der Rosenkreuzer und des Freymaurerordens, exemplifies this focus, examining the Rosicrucians and Freemasons within the broader cultural context of hermetic revival and Enlightenment critique, reflecting his fascination with the symbolic and intellectual currents of his time.
Scarce on the market, with a record of only one copy sold at Sotheby’s in 1984, according to Rare Book Hub.
.
Price: €2,000.00