Ritual Magic.
Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press, 1949. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. x + 328pp. Red cloth with gold titling to spine. Frontispiece, plates, text diagrams, index. Although complete within itself this volume is the second in Butler's renowned series of literary/historical studies which began with "The Myth of the Magus." In "Ritual Magic", the author " examines critically the books of ceremonial magic ascribed to or used by the traditional magicians, in order to discover whether there can have sprung from the great magical rites, in more modern times, an art comparable to Greek mythological tragedy or to the medieval passion plays." Hint of fading to cloth, top edge of text block darkened and a little foxed, tiny bit of foxing to endpaper blanks, pages lightly toned. Pencilled owner's name and acquisition date (easily erased) and contemporary finger-nail sized bookseller's label on front free endpaper, Still a tight, unmarked VG+ copy in VG+ dust jacket. (Dust jacket a little darkened, a little rubbed at edges and one tiny tear. Price-clipped. Now protected by removable mylar cover). Item #70514
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