The Great Book of Magical Art, Hindu Magic And East Indian Occultism and The Book of Secret Hindu, Ceremonial, And Talismanic Magic.
NP [ United States ]: Digireads.com, 2007. Reprint. Softcover. Large thick quarto. (8 x 11 inches) 652pp. Illustrated. A facsimile reprint of this popular and massive book 'by' Lauron William de Laurence (1868 - 1936), renowned book pirate, plagiarist, and publisher of occult literature. De Laurence was notorious for taking other people's works and reissuing them under his own name (sometimes re-titling them in the process). Despite his rogueish eccentricities de Laurence played an important part in the occult history of the USA: he was a pioneer in selling occult books and supplies by mail order, and the cheap "Pow Wow" books and other books of simple magic which he published were surprisingly well received, and he is quite revered in some quarters. The title of this particular volume says 'Hindu' and 'East Indian' but in fact it is largely a grimoire of Western ritual magic, taken from a variety of sources including Francis Barrett's Magus, the works of Agrippa et al. Its odd title and genesis aside, it was probably one of the few works that was widely used for actual magical practice in the USA in the middle twentieth century. Very light shelf rubbing, price sticker rear cover - otherwise appears new. Near fine condition. A very large heavy book, so additional shipping will apply on international orders and may apply on US domestic orders. Item #56736
ISBN: 9781420929362
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