Dictionary of Witchcraft.
New York, NY: Philosophical Library, 1965. First Edition Thus. Hardcover. Octavo. 126pp. Tan papered boards lettered in black on spine. A translated selection from the 'Dictionnaire Infernal' by Jacques Auguste Simon Collin de Plancy (1793-1887). The original work by De Plancy remains one of the best known European works on demonology. De Plancy was a French-born author and occultist, who lived in Belgium and France, where he worked as a printer and publisher. His 'Dictionnaire Infernal' was first published in 1818. As the title suggests, the original work was effectively an encylopaedia of hellish things: witchcraft, 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. Although not mentioned in this volume, Baskin's translation in this volume is obviously heavily abridged, as its size is considerably less than just one of the volumes of the original French editions, and includes only things related to Witchcraft. Boards a little darkened and rubbed, page edges browned, pages toned - unmarked. Overall a tight, clean VG copy in VG dust jacket. (Dust jacket is a bit worn and faded, all edges lightly chafed with some chipping to extremities - particularly spine ends, price clipped. Now in mylar cover). Item #66941
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