An Examen of Witches (Discours Les Sorciers)
Bungay, Suffolk: John Rodker, 1929.
Limited Edition. Full Vellum.
Subtitle: Drawn from various trials of many of this sect in the district of Saint Oyan de Joux commonly known as Saint Claude in the county of Burgundy including the procedure necessary to a judge in trials for witchcraft by Henry Boguet, chief Judge in the said county. Translated by E. Allen Ashwin and edited by The Rev. Montague Summers.
#497 of a Limited Edition of 1275 copies.
A manual on witch-hunting and criminal prosecution by Henry Boguet (1550-1619) originally published in the early 1600’s and reprinted twelve times over a twenty years period. Henry Boguet was the Grand Justice of Saint Claude in Burgundy and presided over cases of hundreds of purported witches who were tortured and put to death. The book contains information about witches, their rituals, powers, and demonic masters, and instructions for judges in cases involving sorcery. The first chapter details the case of Loyse Maillat, Eight Years Old, Possessed of Five Devils and later delivered of them, and Francoise Secretain made Prisoner for Csting the Spell.
Item #9021184-1/2 x 7-1/2, full green vellum, deckled fore- and bottom-edges, li, 328pp, editor's and author's prefaces.
A bit of spotting to vellum and mild bowing to boards, modest toning to leaves, clean of owner's marks, tight, leaves uncut, a very good copy overall.
Price: $400.00