"The Arcanum: The Extraordinary True Story" 1999 GLEESON, Janet
SKU: 54517314469

"The Arcanum: The Extraordinary True Story" 1999 GLEESON, Janet

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"The Arcanum: The Extraordinary True Story" 1999 GLEESON, JanetGLEESON, Janet [324] pp. Warner Books 1999 7 3 4" x 5 3 8" The Arcanum is a 1998 book by Janet Gleeson telling the story of the invention of European porcelain and the start of the porcelain industry outside China and Japan. The book details the events leading to the discovery of the formula for porcelain (the intended meaning of the book title), the ensuing start of the porcelain industry in Meissen, and its rapid spread to other places in Europe in

GLEESON, Janet

[324] pp.

Warner Books

1999

7 3/4" x 5 3/8"

The Arcanum is a 1998 book by Janet Gleeson telling the story of the invention of European porcelain and the start of the porcelain industry outside China and Japan.

The book details the events leading to the discovery of the formula for porcelain (the intended meaning of the book title), the ensuing start of the porcelain industry in Meissen, and its rapid spread to other places in Europe in the 18th century. The characters of the plot are:

Augustus, 1670-1733, (king of Poland as Augustus II the Strong, Elector of Saxony as Friedrich Augustus I, Grand Duke of Lithuania as Augustas II), who is desperate for a way to finance his spending and has hopes on the wonders of alchemy.

Johann Friedrich Böttger, 1682-1719, the teenage alchemist who gets imprisoned and forced, given the materials required, to come up with a reliable way to produce gold and who tries hard but ends up changing direction toward the search to find a commercially viable formula for porcelain, which in this period was more valuable than gold. Assisting Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus, a scientist who has already been experimenting with ways to make porcelain. Their approach, an attempt to bake clay at higher temperatures than had ever before been attained in European kilns, yielded the breakthrough that had eluded European potters for a century.

David Köhler, who learned porcelainmaking while assisting Böttger, and developed the first enamel colors for Meissen porcelain.

Samuel Stölzel, who learned porcelainmaking while assisting Böttger, escaped and helped start a rival porcelain factory in Vienna, recruited Herold, repented, returned with Herold and developed the enamel colors further.

Johan Gregor Herold, an ambitious artist, who developed the colors and patterns to decorate the early European porcelain.

Johann Joachim Kaendler, 1706 – 1775, a virtuoso sculptor/modeler who used the new material, porcelain, to invent an artform.

Dutch Palace, containing King Augustus' precious porcelain collection.

Meissen, German town near the Polish border, with a prison (Albrechtsburg) where Bøttger was locked up, which was later turned into a porcelain factory.

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SKU: 54517314469

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Mark S.
Houston, US
★★★★★ 4
Quite good for costume quality
Color: Gold, Size: Medium
For eighty bucks this definitely isn't bad. It arrived slightly out of shape but after a few days on a good hanger, it all fell into place. I had no issues with fit--the medium wears as expected (6', 38" chest). It's a fun jacket, it's not far off from the product photos, and it certainly makes an impression. While it doesn't feel 'premium' per se, it doesn't feel cheap either. The liner is solid enough that the sequins don't feel too scratchy or restrictive. Definitely a niche item--certainly more of a costume piece than something you'd wear to make a bold impression at a formal event, and while not inexpensive, it delivers for the price and I don't think you could do much better for $80.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2026
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Ruta G.
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Fun and well made.
Size: Large, Color: Black
Very good looking blazer. Fun, well made.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2026
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Danielle Salamone
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Stylish
Size: Large, Color: Black, Size: Large, Color: Black
Fits like we had hoped. We purchased another one different brand and it was terrible quality. But this jacket was my son’s style and comfortable. Just what he was looking for
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Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2025
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Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 4
Shiny Small Sequin Blazer
Size: Small, Color: Black
This tuxedo blazer is one for the looks. It’s shiny black 100% polyester material, with a mesh net on the left side that has dark gold plastic sequins sewn on in a tree pattern. The material is taut with seams at the sides and the middle of the back. There is a single button. There are no pockets outside nor inside the jacket. The quality will hold up and is a decent value for the money. This was for a 5’5 male of slim build and fit quite snug. The measurement in inches: 17 - shoulders; 23 - sleeves; 27-1/2 nape to bottom of blazer.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2026
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George F.
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Size a tad small
Size: Large, Color: Black
So many compliments so don’t buy this if you don’t like people to notice. I’d say fits a tad on the small side.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2025

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