331. Scot (Reginald) The discoverie of witchcraft, vvherein the lewde dealing of witches and witchmongers is notablie detected, the knauerie of coniurors, the impietie of inchantors, the follie of soothsaiers, the impudent falshood of cousenors, the infidelitie of atheists, the pestilent practises of pythonists, the curiositie of figurecasters, the vanitie of dreamers, the beggerlie art of alcumystrie, the abhomination of idolatrie, the horrible art of poisoning, the vertue and power of naturall magike, and all the conueiances of legierdemaine and iuggling are deciphered: and many other things opened, which have long lien hidden, howbeit verie necessarie to be knowne. Heerevnto is added a treatise vpon the nature and substance of spirits and diuels, first edition, black letter, woodcut illustrations, including 4 full-page on *1&2, woodcut initials and tail-pieces, title trimmed and repaired at head, slight loss of ornament, C3, E3, H3 short repaired tears within text, but with no loss, several skillful marginal repairs (including a few corners), occasional light staining or foxing, lightly washed, 19th century brown crushed morocco, gilt, for the Society of Writers to the Signet, covers with central gilt arms, slightly rubbed, g.e., [Hunter & Macalpine pp.32-35; Norman 1915; STC 21864], 4to, [Impinted at London, By [Henry Denham for] William Brome], 1584. *** A very good copy of a work rich in first-hand detail of contemporary witchcraft as seen through local village life, trials and folklore. Scot was a Kentish gentleman and author of the Perfect Platform of a Hop-Garden. In the course of attempting to prove that withcraft and magic had no rational or religious basis Scot cites some 212 authors of works in Latin and 23 in English. In books 13 and 14 he exposes ancient conjuring tricks, magical illusions and cozening devices.
est. £8000 – £12000