THE BOOK OF MAGICAL ART, HINDOO MAGIC AND INDIAN OCCULTISM (BOOK ONE)
Book Details + Condition: Chicago: De Laurence, Scott & Co. (1908). Scarce 6th Edition. Measures 10.25" x 8.5". Original burgundy cloth boards, gilt lettering and design to front and spine. 530 pages, and illustrated throughout, with frontis portrait of de Laurence. A massive book 'by' Lauron William de Laurence (1868 - 1936), renowned plagiarist and publisher of occult goods and literature. The title of this volume says 'Hindu' (‘Hindoo’) and 'East Indian' but it is largely a grimoire of Western ritual magic, taken from a variety of sources including Francis Barrett's Magus, the works of Agrippa, and others. THE BOOK OF MAGICAL ART was one of the few works that was widely used for actual magical practice in the United States in the mid-20th century. Book has shelfwear, with faded and stained cloth boards; wear to edges, corners and spine ends with fraying. Please see photos. Interior hinge cracked but binding remains tight and solid. Text is free of markings, save normal age-toning and occasional smudging to pages.
