RELIGION AND THE DECLINE OF MAGIC; STUDIES IN POPULAR BELIEFS IN SIXTEENTH AND SEVENTEENTH CENTURY ENGLAND. (TWO VOLUMES IN BOX, SLIPCASE)

Two good sized hardback books, nice royal blue buckram backed boards, with beautiful gilt design on front board and gilt title impressions on the spine. Both books are in excellent condition, normal wear, marks and tear apply consistent with use and age. The books look like new, and don't appear to have been used or read. The two volumes come with a nice gilt/cream coloured box, slipcase. 413 pages in Volume I and Volume II has 414 to 946 pages, all pages intact, all pages, text and lovely illustrations, in both volumes, are in excellent, clean, readable order. Typeset at The Folio Society in Minion. Printed on Abbey Wove Paper at Memminger MedienCentrum AG, Memmingen, Germany. Bound at Lachenmaier, Reutlingen, Germany, in buckram, blocked with a design by Grady McFerrin. Please note this stunning pair of books are a large heavy item to post/ship and therefore postage may increase from listed price depending on final destination, please do ask for a quote by sending a message with your postcode, via abebooks for a delivery quote. Volume I, Frontispiece: Although there was an enduring conflict between astrology and religion, theologians urged that the stars and the planets had been set in the heavens by God himself and their workings were to be observed as an exemplification of his majesty and power. The Latin inscription on this medallion reads: "First seek the Kingdom of God. The rest will follow. I know whom I trusted when I made God my helper". Volume II, Frontispiece: St Michael and the Devil weighing souls. The Devil, regarded by James I as "God's hangman", played a prominent part in the "execution of divine judgements". Another fine pair of books from The Folio Society.…