The History of Witches Ghosts and Highland Seers Containing many Wonderful Well-Attested Relations of Supernatural Appearances, not Published Before in any Similar Collection. Designed for the Conviction of the Unbeliever, and the Amusement of the Curious

Anon

Published by R Taylor, Berwick, 1772

About this Item

A vanishingly scarce, first edition of this occult work discussing first-hand accounts of witches, ghosts and seers. Undated, the ESTC reference T60882 speculates a publication date of 1775. However, the front endpaper of this copy has a contemporary ownership inscription dated 1772. The prior owner's inscription is in neat copperplate and states a riddle that spells the name William. William Workman, the prior owner, has his stamp to the front endpaper, and his monograph initials. 20th century inscription 'Geoffrey S Glover 1940' to the front free endpaper. With an engraved frontispiece. With the signatures: a6, A-L12 A very scarce work, which is a collection of first-hand accounts of witches, ghost encounters and tales of seers. These include an account of Rebecca Jones, a witch, an apparition to King James IV and his couriers, the discovery of murder by an apparition and an account of a magician at Antwerp. There is also an eighteenth century account of the Pied Piper of Hamelin under the title of 'A marvellous prank played by the Devil at Hemelen, a town in Germany'. In addition there is a short biography of John Faustus, or Johann Faust, the German magician and alchemist during the Renaissance. A fascinating collection of occult accounts. Published after the final execution for witchcraft in Britain and the implementation of the Witchcraft Act of 1735. Extremely scarce, and in a bright condition. In a contemporary calf binding. Externally, heavily rubbed to the spine and to the boards. Small loss to the head and tail of spine. Front board is detached but present. Rear hinge and joint are tender. Front endpapers and frontispiece are detached but present. Otherwise, this work is generally firmly bound. Bottom outer corners of E2 and E3 have been removed by a prior owner, only affecting the margin. Pages are generally bright. Occasional scattered spots to pages. Good Only.

Seller Inventory # 678L3

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The History of Witches Ghosts and Highland Seers Containing many Wonderful Well-Attested Relations of Supernatural Appearances, not Published Before in any Similar Collection. Designed for the Conviction of the Unbeliever, and the Amusement of the Curious
• Publisher: R Taylor, Berwick
• Publication Date: 1772
• Binding: Leather
• Illustrator: Not Stated
• Edition: First edition.
• Condition: Good Only
• Book Type: book