Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum first published in 1652, is an extensively annotated compilation of English alchemical literature acquired by Elias Ashmole. The book preserved and made available many works that had previously existed only in privately held manuscripts. It is the first part of a planned multi-volume set. It contains the rhyming verse of many alchemists, poets, mathematicians &c, such as Thomas Norton, George Ripley, Geoffrey Chaucer, John Gower, John Dee, Edward Kelley, John Lydgate, John Dastin and William Backhouse. The quantity of manuscripts acquired by Ashmole was of such a mass, that he planned to publish multiple volumes. The extant 1652 volume, designated as "The First Part" on the title page, was chosen for presenting the works of rhyming Verse, while the Second Part would be given to prose. In his preface Ashmole says of himself, "I must profess I know enough to hold my tongue, but not enough to speak."

Contents

The volume is described in its preface as: ''Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum. Containing Severall Poetical Pieces of our Famous English Philosophers, who have written the Hermetique Mysteries in their owne Ancient Language. Faithfully Collected into one Volume, with Annotations thereon, by Elias Ashmole, Esq. Qui est Mercuriophilus Anglicus. The first part, London, Printed by J. Grismond for Nath: Brooke, at the Angel in Cornhill. MDCLII.'' The compilation contains the following collection of works, several of which are by unknown authors: