Old Rabbit, The Voodoo [First British Edition] [Louis Wain Illustrations] [Ozark Folklore]

Owen, Mary Alicia (1858-1935) ; Leland, Charles Godfrey - Intro ; Wain, Louis - Illustrator

Published by T. Fisher Unwin, London, 1893

About this Item

A deep-dive into the hidden world of Ozark 'Conjure' and Voodoo, illustrated by the legendary Louis Wain. Mary Alicia Owen, a pioneer in the anthropological study of the Ozark region, provides a rare, firsthand account of the syncretic spiritual practices of the late 19th-century Southwest. This first British edition, distinguished by its vibrant color-illustrated cloth and 57 illustrations-including work by the legendary Louis Wain-is a 'Total Work of Art' that bridges the gap between Victorian curiosity and serious ethnographic field research. KEY FEATURES +++ Visuals: Features 57 illustrations by Juliette A. Owen and Louis Wain; Wain's Because it represents early work by the artist, it holds crossover value beyond its literary significance. +++ Historical Priority: First British edition, published simultaneously with the American 'Voodoo Tales' issue. +++ Scholarship: Includes an introduction by the noted folklorist Charles Godfrey Leland, establishing Owen as a peer to the leading anthropologists of her day. +++ Content: Documents the survival of African, Native American, and European magical traditions in the Missouri Ozarks, including herb-lore, charms, and sorcery. +++ Binding: Original publisher's color-illustrated cloth with printer's imprint on the rear cover and gilt spine titles. +++ Specs: 8 inches tall / v-xv, 2-300, [1] pages. Iconography Note: This item contains visual representations and dialect typical of the late 19th century which reflect historical attitudes of the period. It is offered as a documentary artifact of American folk illustration and is presented for its scholarly and research value. CONDITION: Good -- The bindings are tight and square; the color-illustrated cloth shows moderate shelf handling wear and typical hand-soiling. The spine is age-darkened with rubs on the rear edge and frayed tips; corners show small rubs. Internally, the text is clean with light, even age-toning. Noted flaws include a closed edge chip and folded corner at p. 163-164, and a dime-sized stain on the top edge of a section of pages, not affecting the text. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE -- Mary Alicia Owen was one of the few researchers to gain entry into the guarded spiritual societies of the Missouri Ozarks. Her work on 'Old Rabbit' remains a cornerstone of American folklore because it preserved oral traditions and magical rituals that were almost entirely lost to the 20th century. Owen's ability to move between scholarly analysis and direct narrative makes this volume one of the most readable and sought-after ethnographic records of the Victorian era. As the first British appearance of this work, the T. Fisher Unwin edition is particularly valued for its production quality. The presence of Louis Wain as an illustrator makes this a high-spot for collectors of the reclusive artist, as these sketches show his early development in capturing the "weird" and the supernatural. This volume is an essential acquisition for any collection focusing on the occult, American regionalism, or the history of illustration. SUBJECTS: Ozark Folklore, Voodoo, Magic and Sorcery, American Ethnography, Missouri History, Louis Wain, Black Americana, Folklore, Anthropology.

Seller Inventory # 20628

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Old Rabbit, The Voodoo [First British Edition] [Louis Wain Illustrations] [Ozark Folklore]
• Publisher: T. Fisher Unwin, London
• Publication Date: 1893
• Edition: First British Edition.
• Condition: Good+
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket
• Weight: 3 pounds
• Seller catalogs:
  • RELIGION, FAITH & SPIRITUALITY
  • 19th CENTURY PUBLICATIONS
  • AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES