Re: Secret script of Simon Tadeas Budek

["Rafal T. Prinke" <rafalp@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Rene Zandbergen wrote:

> > A prime Czech alchemist was Simon Tadeas Budek the Emperor's
> > searcher for metal and gem. He abandoned handwriting for a secret
> > script. This tractate is in Vienna today. Simon Tadeas Budek got
> > his noble title "from Lesin and  Falkenberk" from Emperor Rudolf II.
> 
> While the sentence is not very clear, I cannot help being very
> curious about what exactly is the secret script meant above.
> Does anyone know what this 'tractate' could be?
> I couldn't find it in Adam McLean's MS database (Austria) but may
> have overlooked it...

The sentence seems to be based on the Czech publication _Opus Magnum_
prepared on the occassion of Rudolphine celebrations 2 (or 3?) years
ago - or at least come from the common source as the wording is
almost identical. It also says that Budek was (along with Hajek)
one of the "inquisitors" who examined arriving alchemists before
they were allowed to meet or work for Rudolph. There is an
illustration there, apparently from that MS - very unlike VMS.

Best regards,

Rafal