YVELIN (Guillaume) - Lot 273

YVELIN (Guillaume) YVELIN, Guillaume. Spagyric physician to King Louis XIII. P.S. "Yvelin". S.l., September 15, 1617; half-page in-8 oblong on parchment. Rare document signed by Guillaume Yvelin, spagyric physician attached to the personal service of Louis XIII. Spagyric medicine, inherited from Paracelsian doctrines combining alchemy and chemical therapeutics, occupied a singular place in the court medicine of the early 17th century. This autograph receipt records payment of "sept vingtz dix livres" for wages due to Yvelin "à cause de madite charge durant le quartier d'avril de ladite année". The document is addressed to Antoine de Loménie, councillor and superintendent of finances of the King's household, a central figure in the royal administration during the regency of Marie de Médicis and the early personal reign of Louis XIII. A fine administrative document illustrating the organization of specialized medical functions within the Maison du Roi. Documents relating to royal spagyric physicians are still uncommon, as these practitioners belonged to a still marginal and often controversial branch of medicine. Beautiful cursive handwriting on parchment with ample autograph signature "Yvelin". Old marks and analyses on front and back. Minor wear and marginal soiling; well preserved.