Details + Condition: Original hand-colored occult engraving from the 1825 first edition (thus), of THE ASTROLOGER OF THE 19th CENTURY by Raphael (pseudonym for Robert Cross Smith). Scarce. This in-text illustration is titled "Form in Which the Spirit Oberion Appears - To Invoke or Raise the Spirit Oberion [Oberon]". It depicts the conjuration of Oberion - better known in modern times as Oberon - the mighty king who dwells in low places and waters and is governed by the sun and moon. (And in Shakespeare, known as the King of the Fairies.) He is responsible for acquiring treasure, teaching about precious stones and herbs, and granting invisibility. The text that is present on the reverse of the page refers to the conjuration of the demon Egin, whose image we also have available for sale.
Total page measures: 5.25" x 8.75"; engraving measures approximately 3.5" x 4". Please see our other listings for additional occult engravings from the same book. Age toning / darkening present, and page edges and top corner are torn.
Robert Cross Smith (1795-1832) was an astrologer, magician, and geomancer. Smith founded the periodical, The Straggling Astrologer in 1824, but failed to receive enough subscribers and the periodical had to be discontinued after a few issues. He collected the issues of the failed periodical in a volume entitled The Astrologer Of The Nineteenth Century in the same year. These writings dealt with topics as varied as alchemy, charms, the virtues of herbs and stones, invoking spirits into crystals, evoking demons, evoking spirits into circles, necromancy, geomancy, palmistry, physiognomy, and more.
