Description

Witchcraft.- Bekker (Balthasar) The World Bewitch'd; or, An Examination of the Common Opinions Concerning Spirits, vol. 1 (all published), first English edition, with half-title and initial blank ff., title within double-rule border, closely trimmed occasionally touching text along fore-margin or catchwords at foot, ink ownership inscription to endpaper, bookplate to pastedown, 19th century blindstamped calf, lower joint cracked but holding firm, [Wing B1781; cf. Caillet I, 131], 12mo, for R. Baldwin in Warwick Lane, 1695.

⁂ The rare first English edition of this important Enlightenment text. We can trace only 2 other complete copies at auction. Bekker (1634-98) published his 4-volume examination of witchcraft from 1691 to 1693, the present work contains the full text of the first volume (the only one published in English) alongside a lengthy abridgment of the complete work. Bekker's refutation of the popular superstitions surrounding witchcraft and demonology led to a storm of controversy and the author's eventual excommunication. Nevertheless this work contributed to the end of the witch trials and was an important step in the shift of natural philosophy away from the influence of religion and superstition.

Provenance: "Mitford" (ink ownership inscription dated 1816); Henry Cunliffe Armiger (sold, his sale, Sotheby's, 1946).

Lot 327

Witchcraft.- Bekker (Balthasar) The World Bewitch'd; or, An Examination of the Common Opinions Concerning Spirits, vol. 1 (all published), first English edition, 1695.  

Hammer Price: £3,200

Description

Witchcraft.- Bekker (Balthasar) The World Bewitch'd; or, An Examination of the Common Opinions Concerning Spirits, vol. 1 (all published), first English edition, with half-title and initial blank ff., title within double-rule border, closely trimmed occasionally touching text along fore-margin or catchwords at foot, ink ownership inscription to endpaper, bookplate to pastedown, 19th century blindstamped calf, lower joint cracked but holding firm, [Wing B1781; cf. Caillet I, 131], 12mo, for R. Baldwin in Warwick Lane, 1695.

⁂ The rare first English edition of this important Enlightenment text. We can trace only 2 other complete copies at auction. Bekker (1634-98) published his 4-volume examination of witchcraft from 1691 to 1693, the present work contains the full text of the first volume (the only one published in English) alongside a lengthy abridgment of the complete work. Bekker's refutation of the popular superstitions surrounding witchcraft and demonology led to a storm of controversy and the author's eventual excommunication. Nevertheless this work contributed to the end of the witch trials and was an important step in the shift of natural philosophy away from the influence of religion and superstition.

Provenance: "Mitford" (ink ownership inscription dated 1816); Henry Cunliffe Armiger (sold, his sale, Sotheby's, 1946).

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