Item #66507 The History of Magic. To which is added an appendix of the most remarkable and best authenticated stories of Apparitions, Dreams, Second Sight, Somnambulism, Predictions, Divination, Witchcraft, Vampires, Fairies, Table-Turning, and Spirit-Rapping. (Two Volume Set). William Howitt., Mary Howitt., Omar V. Garrison.
The History of Magic. To which is added an appendix of the most remarkable and best authenticated stories of Apparitions, Dreams, Second Sight, Somnambulism, Predictions, Divination, Witchcraft, Vampires, Fairies, Table-Turning, and Spirit-Rapping. (Two Volume Set).
The History of Magic. To which is added an appendix of the most remarkable and best authenticated stories of Apparitions, Dreams, Second Sight, Somnambulism, Predictions, Divination, Witchcraft, Vampires, Fairies, Table-Turning, and Spirit-Rapping. (Two Volume Set).

The History of Magic. To which is added an appendix of the most remarkable and best authenticated stories of Apparitions, Dreams, Second Sight, Somnambulism, Predictions, Divination, Witchcraft, Vampires, Fairies, Table-Turning, and Spirit-Rapping. (Two Volume Set).

New Hyde Park, NY: University Books, 1970. First Edition Thus. Hardcovers. Large octavos. Two volumes complete. Volume I: xvi + 472 pp, Vol. II: viii + 518 pp, Original light grey cloth, with black titles, etc. to spine. A reprint of the original first English edition of 1854 with a new introduction. Arguably the first comprehensive survey of the history of Magic to be published, it remains interesting and useful. The author, Joseph Ennemoser (1787-1854) was a South Tyrolean physician and scientist with a strong interest in the practical use of magnetism and hypnosis. His perspective on magic and supernatural events was in some ways ahead of its time, in that he suggested that many seemingly inexplicable phenomena were the result not of miracles, but rather of our ignorance of the natural laws that governed them. "The History of Magic" was originally published in Leipzig in 1844 ("Geschichte der Magie"), and translated into English by William Howitt, a leading Spiritualist writer, in 1854. The first volume of his work was mostly devoted to the different manifestions of magic in the ancient world, while the second volume looked at more modern manifestations from the Middle Age onwards. Main section headings: Author's Preface; Of Magic and its Branches in General; Theoretical Views on Magic Among the Ancients; Magnetism among the Ancient Nations, Magic among the Orientals; Magic among the Egyptians; Magic among the Israelites; Magic among the Greeks and Romans; Of Magic in Mythology; The Magic of the Germans; Mystic Doctrines and Endeavors after a Philosophical Elucidation of the Magic of the Middle Ages; [Appendices] Apparitions; Haunted Houses; Dreams; Second Sight; Trance and Somnambulism; Ecstasy; Predictions; Divination; Witchcraft; Vampires; Amulets and Charms; Narcotics; Fairies; Spiritual Manifestations. Corners a little bruised, and edges of boards a little rubbed and faintly discoloured, top and bottom page-edges a little darkened, and (oddly) the fore-edges of both volumes are quite heavily foxed, although this has not bled into the margins of the page. Pages a bit toned but clean and unmarked, bookplates & bookshop label on front pastedowns. Overall a clean VG or better set in VG- dust jackets (Dust jackets rubbed with some closed tears and chipping at all edges and extremities, not clipped. Now in protective mylar sleeves.) Large and heavy two volume set will require additional shipping to most destinations. Item #66507

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