Isaac Newton and the Philosopher's Stone: Papers show how genius who discovered gravity was obsessed with alchemy and spent years trying to produce mythical substance that could turn base metals into gold

A set of papers written by physicist Isaac Newton that point to his decades-long quest to produce the mythical Philosopher's stone are set to fetch more than £120,000 at auction.

The papers, which are written in Latin and have some English headings, are a distillation of the chemical processes contained within the writings of influential 17th-century alchemist Johann de Monte Snyders.

Snyders was renowned for his alleged skill with transmutation - turning lead into gold.

Although Newton, who died in 1727, is best known for his discovery of gravity, the physicist also had a lifelong obsession with alchemy.

The pursuit's practitioners sought to turn base metals into gold or silver and also discover a way of extending life - but their efforts were in vain.

The holy grail was the Philosopher's stone, a substance also known as the elixir of life which alchemists believed was essential to achieving their aims.

It was made more famous by JK Rowling's first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and the subsequent 2001 film, which saw villain Voldemort try to obtain the object so he could restore himself to physical form.  

A set of papers written by physicist Isaac Newton that point to his decades-long quest to produce the mythical Philosopher's stone are set to fetch more than £120,000 at auction

The paper being sold is called 'A Key to Snyders' is tipped to sell for up to $150,000 (£120,320) and will be offered at a Bonhams' sale in the US from April 28 to May 7.

According to William Newman, the leading authority on Newton's alchemy, the works of Snyders 'exercised more impact on Newton the alchemist than any other author short of Philalethes.' 

Newton spend decades pouring over two influential texts produced by Snyders. 

The manuscript being sold comprises Newton's identification of Snyders' most important passages, as well as his struggle to 'reassemble the dissociated parts of Snyders' process', according to Professor Newman's book Newton the Alchemist.

The papers, which are written in Latin and have some English headings, are a distillation of the chemical processes contained within the writings of influential 17th-century alchemist Johann de Monte Snyders

The paper being sold is called 'A Key to Snyders' is tipped to sell for up to $150,000 (£120,320) and will be offered at a Bonhams' sale in the US from April 28 to May 7

Snyders would communicate his self-proclaimed knowledge in only small bits that left Newton and others confounded. 

Newton's main aim was to discern the concrete details of Snyders' chemical producer for formulating the 'Universal Medicine' that would cure disease.

The physicist was occupied by his quest to produce the Philosopher's Stone for more than 30 years.

He had one of the largest alchemical libraries in Europe. The scientist believed it was necessary to assemble the full set of stages for producing the stone from multiple authors.

The Philosopher's Stone was depicted in JK Rowling's first Harry Potter novel and the subequent 2001 film, which saw villain Voldemort try to obtain the object so he could restore himself to physical form

Newton was also convinced that chemistry held the key to understanding gravity.

However, because he was so guarded about his alchemical research, only one text relating to it was published in his lifetime. 

'De Natura Acidorum', which was written in 1692, was printed without his approval.

Newton famously told how he was inspired to formulate his theory of gravity after watching an apple fall from a tree.

Philosopher Voltaire, in his Essay on Epic Poetry, later wrote: 'Sir Isaac Newton walking in his gardens, had the first thought of his system of gravitation, upon seeing an apple falling from a tree.'

Beyond his pursuits in science, Newton helped to rescue Britain's economy as master of the Royal Mint.