LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Apr Books, Manuscripts & Autographs #658  / 

25614

William Godwin: Lives of the Necromancers

Currency:USD Category:Books / Antiquarian & Collectible Start Price:188.00 USD Estimated At:750.00 - 1,000.00 USD
William Godwin: Lives of the Necromancers
<B>William Godwin: <I>Lives of the Necromancers</B></I></B></I><I>, or an Account of the Most Eminent Persons in Successive Ages, Who have Claimed for Themselves, or to Whom has been Imputed by Others the Exercise of Magical Power.</B></I> (London: Frederick J. Mason, 1834), first edition, 465 pages, rebound in half-leather with marbled boards and textblock edges, 8vo (5.75" x 8.25"). An exhaustive study of the history and lore of witchcraft, from the ancient world to the modern. William Godwin (1756-1836), Mary Shelley's father, states in his preface: "The main purpose of this book is to exhibit a fair delineation of the credulity of the human mind." Elsewhere in the book, Godwin wrote, "The strong in intellect were eager to avail themselves of their superiority, by means that escaped the penetration of the multitude, and had recourse to various artifices to effect their ends. Beside this, they became the dupes of their own practices." Errata listed on verso of page 465, "<I>D. L. Thomas</B></I>" written on front flyleaf and on top of title page along with another name. The book is very good, with two front endpapers with mild foxing, and some chipping, light foxing on title page, last four leaves' top corner edges charred. Otherwise textblock is bright, tight and clean. Light rubbing to bottom edge of boards and spine. <I>From the Betty Bennett Collection.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Books & Catalogs (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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