The Occult Sciences. The Philosophy of Magic, Prodigies and Apparent Miracles (Two Volume Set).
London: Richard Bentley, 1846. First English language edition. Hardcover. Two volumes. Octavo (8 3/4 inches x 5 1/2 inches). xlii + 356 pp & x + 388 pp. Late 19th or early 20th century half leather bindings. Half leather: red leather spine and corners, raised bands and gilt titling to the spine. Top edges gilt. Marbled endpapers. Index. A critical study of the history of magic, in which the author argued that the belief in magic was often encouraged by Priestly and other ruling castes as a way of keeping control of the populace. The book so offended Madame Blavatsky that she devoted several paragraphs of "Isis Unveiled" to mocking it and challenging Salverte's assertions. Chapter headings include 'Credibility of the Marvellous,' 'Origin of Magic,' 'Sources of Magical Knowledge,' 'Deceptions of Thaumaturgists,' 'Ventriloquism Employed in Oracles,' 'Sources of Some Oracles,' 'Books Believed to be Spirits,' 'Speaking Heads and Statues,' 'Invocations of the Dead,' 'Secrets Used in Pagan Rites' etc. etc. etc. This edition includes a biographical sketch of the author, Anne-Joseph Eusèbe Baconniére de Salverte (1771 - 1839), based on a funeral oration by Francois Arago, who like the author was a member of the French Chamber of Deputies. The work itself was first published in French as "Des sciences occultes ou Essai sur la Magie, les prodiges et les miracles" in 1829. The translator of this first English edition, Anthony Todd Thompson (1778-1849), was a renowned Scots-born MD, who worked and lectured in London. An uncommon set of the First English edition of this work (which preceded the also-uncommon US Edition). This edition was originally published in a rather flimsy brown cloth, and surviving copies usually have damaged or repaired bindings. In this case an early owner had the book rebound in an attractive, stout, half-leather binding which is still aesthetically pleasing and perfectly serviceable well over a hundred years later. A little light shelf-rubbing, to the boards, with a few light abrasions to the edges. Hinges solid and unstrained. Pages evenly toned, a couple of leaves with small chips to fore-edge margins, occasional pencil marks in the margins (not obtrusive but could be erased with a little patience). Overall a tight, solid, sound, VG+ set. Item #74309
Price: $650.00