Traces of the Elder Faiths of Ireland; a Folklore Sketch, a Handbook of Irish Pre-Christian Traditions ( Two Volumes, complete ).
London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1902. First Edition. Hardcover. Large Octavos. Two volumes (Complete). Vol. I: xix, errata & 406pp. and Vol. II: xv, errata & 438pp. Original bright blue cloth with gilt titling to spines, blind borders to boards, b&w frontispieces in both volumes, numerous b&w illustrations throughout, extensive bibliography, indexes. William Gregory Wood-Martin (1847 – 1917) was a writer and antiquarian, best known for his work as an archaeologist in Ireland. This pioneering work is a combination of history and archaeology, with an investigation of the old beliefs and folk-lore of Ireland (approximately 2/3 of the work is on myth and folk-lore) which the author found to be fast disappearing and in need of preservation before they were lost. Chapter Titles: Vol. I: Speculative Geological Archæology; Ancient Fauna and their Exterminator; Early Man; Man as Author, Artist, Sculptor; Some Archæological Problems; The Borderland of History; Advent of St. Patrick - Side-Lights on Paganism; Ideas Regarding the Dead; Gods, Goddesses, Ghosts and Goblins; Notes -- Vol. II:. Fairy Lore; Marriage Lore; Well Worship, and its Concomitants; Animal Worship, Birds and Augury; Tree Worship - Herbs and Medicine; Stone Worship. The Seasons - Certain Numbers, Days, Colours, and Proverbs; Transitional Archæology and the Continuity of Religion. Notes; Bibliography of Irish pre-Christian Archæology and Folk-Lore, etc. Spines darkened, spine ends lightly bruised and chafed, corners bumped and rubbed, a few light bumps and some rubbing to board edges, top edges darkened, other edges lightly browned and foxed, endpapers and first and least leaves a bit browned and with a little light foxing. Contemporary armorial bookplates on pastedowns & owner's name on reverse of front blank. Else internally bright and unmarked. Despite some superficial external knocks, a tight, bright and unmarked VG+ set of this very scarce first edition. Being a two volume set additional shipping may be required (charged at cost). Item #62980
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