On 17th January, 2006 http://www.ramsdigital.com website successfully evolved from http://go.to/ramsdigital webpage. The initial project was created as a pilot on 05 May, 2005 to design and construct an online presence for the Restorers of Alchemical Manuscripts Society (R.A.M.S.).
RAMSdigital is slowly establishing itself as the online doorway to the R.A.M.S. material. Over 13 years we have kept the light on, and disfunctionally enabled readers to find and access the RAMS collection. We have previously trialed an RSS feed for news, quarterly newsletter, podcasting, electronic tablet booklets, paper pamphlets, and development projects. But mostly, keeping the lamp burning has been our greatest success. In October, 2012 the complete collection of the original RAMS library was finally digitalized! The complete collection contained over 290+ texts and comprises over 10,500 pages. Since September, 2013 the library collection distribution format changed to USB from DVD-rom and CD-rom. The collection is distributed as a physical object, so as to maintain security of information. From time to time enthusiastic volunteers drive a new project, primarily proof-reading text created from scans, or even rarer transcribing new texts of interest. Even more rarerly, individuals will donate scanned documents of unique documents, such as original texts.
The modern resurgence of RAMS can be traced, in part, to 2004, when Philip Wheeler uncovered an early archive of R.A.M.S. library in his basement. Philip was associated with Hans Nintzel in the early to mid-1980’s, and collected everything offered at that time. The Glauber Index was the most notable of Philip’s contributions to theoriginal RAMS library.. A number of later original RAMS texts, not in Philip’s collection, have been subsequently added from other collections, notibly the Nintzel estate.
Knowing that Hans had passed away in 2000, Philip decided to make digital copies of his library available for a limited time on Ebay. Following the advice that he gave to Hans nearly two decades earlier he started digitizing the collection. Hans had argued that it wasn’t economically feasible to do this in mid-80’s, and he was probably right. Presently with the use of a multi-sheet-feeder scanner real progress has be made. Nevertheless, it took many months. All original RAMS texts have been preserved in scanned digital format (.pdf) of the typewriter original pages.
In digital format, one may easily search for keywords and phrases — difficult with the printed versions. In addition, the original high-resolution scans are included, page-by-page, in optimized JPEG format. This allows the serious student or researcher to compare the original materials with the OCR text version. While OCR software is good, it is not perfect, and spot corrections almost certainly did not mitigate all errors; with the original scans, readers are able to compare these as needed. Some of the documents are text-only where original scans were not available. These titles which were a part of the R.A.M.S. material, are included in the Collection in an effort to present as complete a set of R.A.M.S. material as possible.
About The Original R.A.M.S.
R.A.M.S., the Restoration of Alchemical Manuscripts Society, was based in Richardson Texas, U.S.A. R.A.M.S. was loosely knit group composed of private citizens around the world, directed by Hans Nintzel.
The goal of the society was to seek out and obtain copies of very limited editions of ancient Alchemical manuscripts, tracts, printed works and other such materials and literature. From these, certain items are selected for ‘restoration’ . This consisted in translating, indexing and re-typing the material to render it readable, therefore useable. The reading Is made more enjoyable by the use of charts, symbols, dictionaries, diagrams, insertion of printed illustrations and other annotations to abed additional light on the text. The earliest text found to date was published in 1976. The last text known to be published is dated 1993.
R.A.M.S. was a non-profit organization with members from all walks of life. There was no ‘organization’ per se, just individuals desirous of performing a labor of love. It was their hope that these efforts will perhaps result in renewed interest in the science of Alchemy or even contribute to new discoveries or fields of experimentation. While this material is for all on the path of Alchemy, it is particularly for the sincere practicing Alchemist.
The originall RAMS texts were stored as single sided hand typed pages. When an order was received the pages would be photocopied (or ‘xeroxed’) at a charge of 12 cents per page, bundled, unbound, into large envelops and posted. Only a few texts in the 90’s, as the final releases, were computer printers trialled for printing.
The transcription of this material was as verbatim as human skills permited. The only exceptions was to make the matter more readable, or understandable, with some ‘modernization’. This is done ONLY where it is judged that no ambiguity will arise from a slight departure from the original and there is no danger of deleting key words or phrases where a possible use of Gematria, Temura, Notariqon or other form of written code exists. Thus, misspelled or grammatically Incorrect material is to be found as well as archaic or strange words. This is in an effort to maintain the original text as far as possible. The completed material is then reproduced, sometimes bound, and offered to interested parties. The costs for these copies are used to defray reproduction costs and to obtain additional material for restoration.
The work of R.A.M. S. included such material as “Last Will and Testament” of Basil Valentine, Important selections from the invaluable Bacstrom Manuscripts such as “Golden Chain of Homer”. “Lamspring’ a Process for the Lapis Sophorum”, “The Chemist’s Key”. “The Mineral Gluten of Nitre and Sulfur”, “Coelum Philosophorum” and others.
It is highly appropriate to acknowledge the many people who had either materially or philosophically contributed to the effort. This might well be the first Indication that such a group even exists! For their labors and contributions, grateful thanks are given. Let their unselfish efforts inspire others to light the fires of Alchemy.
While the list is long, it Includes:
Carr P. ColIins Jnr. [Distinguished Professor of Management Sciences, author of ‘Royal Ancestors of Magna Charta Baron’ (1959), One hall at SMU’s Dedman School of Law is named after him]?, Rick Stern, Doris Edlein, Arpad Joo [(born 1948 in Budapest, Hungary) a Hungarian conductor], D. & J. Nintzel, N. Ogle, G. Price, Francis Isreal Regardie, William (Bill). van Doren, K. von Koenigseck and especially David Ham.