Jewish Magic and Superstition: A Study in Folk Religion.
New York: Behrman's Jewish Book House, 1939. First Edition. Hardcover. Large Octavo. xiv + 356 pp. Original blue cloth with gold titling to red panels on spine, frontispiece illustration, notes, bibliography, glossary of Hebrew terms, index. A comprehensive study of Jewish occult and magical practices from the 10th to the 15th centuries. As might be expected there is much on amulets, talismans, and other expressions of magic, as well as an extensive coverage of Jewish folklore including that relating to less widely discussed aspects such as the golem, succubi, necromancy, werewolves and so-on. The text is an elaboration of the Ph.D. thesis that the author, Joshua Trachtenberg (1904 - 1959), presented to Columbia University. Spine quite darkened, a small chip from cloth a head of spine, boards a little darkened and discolored. Small spot at bottom edge of text block. Endpapers a bit discoloured at inner margins, page evenly toned, otherwise a tight, unmarked VG or better copy (lacks dust jacket). Item #70101
Sold