The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses. Or Moses' Magical Spirit-Art, known as the Wonderful Arts of the Old Wise Hebrews, taken from the Mosaic Books of the Cabala and the Talmud, for the Good of Mankind. Translated from the German, Word for Word, according to Old Writings. With Numerous Engravings.
NP: NP, ND [ Circa 1970s ? ]. Reprint. Softcover. Octavo. 190pp,b&w illustrations. Original printed wrappers. Despite the text being of relatively recent origin - most scholars suggest it first began to appear in manuscript form in the 18th century - "The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses" is arguably one of the most influential of all the grimoires. It contains a series of magical incantations, spells and seals purportedly from the lost magical Books of the Biblical prophet Moses. The work apparently originated in Germany and then spread to America via the Pennsylvania Dutch, and their "pow-wow" books. It began to appear in print in the late nineteenth century, and became popular in the African American South and also in the Caribbean, and West Africa, making its mark on the Hoodoo, Rastifarian, and various African religious movements, as well as on European and American occultists. This anonymous cheap edition first appeared in the 1920s or 1930s and was reprinted many times. We don't know the date of this copy but suspect from its condition and the gloss of the covers that it is probably from the 1970s. From the collection of Clive Harper with his discreet book-label neatly tipped in at the rear. Harper is well- known as the bibliographer of Austin Osman Spare, for updating the Aleister Crowley bibliography in the 2011 Teitan Press collection of Gerald Yorke's writings, and as someone who has lent his expertise to numerous other publications. Light rubbing to covers, slight bump and crease to upper corners, pages browned (as common) - still a tight, clean and unmarked VG+ copy. Item #65974
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