LA MAGIE ET L'ASTROLOGIE DANS L'ANTIQUITE ET AU MOYEN AGE -THE MAGIC AND ASTROLOGY OF ANTIQUITY AND THE MODERN AGE
Book Details + Condition: Didier et Co. (Paris). First Edition, 1860. 450 pages. Hardcover. In the original French language. Written by French scholar and librarian Alfred Maury, this volume is a history of magic and occult philosophy from antiquity, including ancient Greece, Rome, and Persia, to the time of the book's writing. The influence of Christianity is investigated, as well as scientific explanations for paranormal phenomena, including dreams, drugs, and the human imagination. Subtitled (in English) "the study of the pagan superstitions that perpetuate to this day." Marbled boards with leather spine; marbled endpapers. Title is handwritten in ink to spine label. An overall firm and clean copy, with tight binding; light shelf wear to boards; periodic foxing; interior is clean and free of markings. Binding tape to interior, most likely original to this special binding. Provenance: German astrologist and author Fritz Werle's wonderful Art Nouveau / zodiac themed bookplate on inside front board.
