THORNDIKE, Lynn.

History of Magic & Experimental Science. Vols. I & II: The First Thirteen Centuries, Vols. II & IV: Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries; Vols. V & VI: Sixteenth Century. Vols. VII & VIII: Seventeenth Century [ 8 Volume Set, Complete ].

New York, NY: Columbia University Press, 1958, 1958, 1960, 1953, 1959, 1959, 1958, and 1958. Mixed Set - First Editions and Reprints. Hardcover. Eight volumes [ complete set ]. Large octavos. Volume. I: xl + 836pp.; Volume: II: viii + 1036pp.; Volume. III: xxvi + 830pp; Volume. IV: xviii + 770pp.; Volume V: xxii + 696pp; Vol. VI: xviii + 766pp; Volume. VII: x + 696pp.; Volume VIII: viii + 808pp. The dates of publication are mixed (1953 - 1960), as is common. All volumes bound in publisher's series green cloth with gilt titling, speckled top edges, Indexes & bibliographies. A complete set of Thorndike's classic "History of Magic" which has been an important reference set for nearly a century. This is a particularly nice set as the volumes all match and are in the heavy, buckram-type cloth of the older editions - more recent printing have a lighter, less durable, and - to our eyes - slightly less attractive cloth. Volumes I & II: "The First Thirteen Centuries." Volumes III & IV "The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries"; Volumes V & VI: "The Sixteenth Century" and Volumes. VII & VIII: "The Seventeenth Century" (First eds, 1958). A lovely set which does not appear to have been used often, if at all. It has just a hint of shelfwear, with a little very minor bruising to some corners and edges of boards. Volumes VII & VIII have a previous owner's bookplate to the front page and blind seal to the title-page, and Vol. IV has a bit of darkening to the hinges of the endpapers. Pages lightly toned but fresh and unmarked. One of the nicer sets we have seen - especially because of the solid early-style binding. Overall in near Fine condition (no dust jackets issued). Item #72228

Price: $985.00