Infernal Dictionary.
NP [USA]: Abracax House, 2015. Deluxe edition. Hardcover. Quarto (11.75 x 9 inches). Two volumes in slipcase. Vol. I: i-xiv, 1-400pp, Vol. II, viii, 401-766pp. Full faux leather with silver gilt lettering and decorations, in silver-stamped slip-case. Ribbon bookmarks, patterned endpapers, illustrated throughout in b&w and with a suite of colour plates. The first full translation into English of the "Dictionnaire Infernal" by Jacques Auguste Simon Collin de Plancy (1793-1887). As its title suggests, the book is effectively an encylopaedia of hellish things: demonology and superstition, and de Plancy follows the tradition set down in grimoires like "The Lesser Key of Solomon" of carefully naming the various demons and itemizing the legions and hierarchies to which they belong, as well as drawing in other occult figures from folklore, mythology and theology. A French-born author and occultist, De Plancy lived in Belgium and France, where he worked as a printer and publisher. The "Dictionnaire Infernal" was first published in 1818 and subsequently went through a number of revisions and editions between 1818 and its sixth and final revision of 1863. The final version was not only the most comprehensive, but also included for the first time the series of portraits of demons, drawn by M. L. Breton, which later became synonymous with the work. This handsome two volume boxed set comprises a full English translation of the 6th edition of de Plancy's work with added notes, along with digitally enhanced reproductions of the more than 500 original woodcuts that appeared in it. It also includes 82 pages of full colour plates (re-visionings of the demonic and other figures), the Introductions to the 1818, 1825, 1844 & 1853 editions, the Endorsement and Preface to the 1863 edition, English-French cross-reference of subject names and titles, and a new Index. Set appears unused thus in about Fine condition in lightly rubbed and bumped slipcase. VERY LARGE HEAVY SET - EXTRA shipping will apply to most orders. Additional shipping will be quoted prior to order processing. Item #61080
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