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ALDE
99
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[GROSSE (Henning)]. *Magica de spectris et apparitionibus sp…
See original version (French)
99
-
[GROSSE (Henning)]. *Magica de spectris et apparitionibus sp…
See original version (French)
Estimate €400 - €500
Voluntary lot
Description
[GROSSE (Henning)]. *Magica de spectris et apparitionibus spirituum, de vaticiniis, divinationibus, &.* Leiden, Franciscus Hackius, 1656. Small 12mo, soft vellum (contemporary binding). Second edition of this collection on spectres, spirits and divination published by Henning Grosse (1553–1621), a learned bookseller from Leipzig. The first edition dates from 1597.
This Dutch edition, described as ‘attractive and quite rare’ (Caillet), forms part of the Elzevirian collection. It is adorned with a frontispiece depicting a witch and a gathering of demons.
‘Grosse’s *Magica* is an exceedingly extensive and learned compilation of magical “precedent cases”, and his sources range from Homer to Petrarch, Luther and Melanchthon. He seems to be chiefly interested in demonstrating that demons are essentially swindlers who, although truly of a satanic nature, pretend to be angels in order to lure ignorant, unsuspecting and credulous people into Satan’s trap’ (Faber du Faur).
A fine copy in contemporary vellum.
Caillet, 4788 – Dorbon, 1995 – Faber du Faur, 1250.
See original version (French)
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About the sale
Antique books – Alchemy & the occult sciences
Auction location
Auction time
11/04/2026 at 2:00 PM
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