*** ORIGINAL 1651 FIRST  ENGLISH EDITION  ***

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DESCRIPTION:

This book is the major and most influential occult work of the Western  magic titled:  Three Books of Occult Philosophy. Written by Henry Cornelius Agrippa, of Nettesheim . Published in  London 1651. Printed by R. W. for Gregory Moule.  FIRST ENGLISH EDITION. Bound in eighteenth century 3/4-leather with black paper covered boards, gilt title and rules to spine. Size:  quarto: page size approx. 5 1/4 x 7 inches. (iv + xxiv) [+ ii ] + 584 pp + (x) [of xii]pp .  Frontispiece portrait of Agrippa. Numerous gorgeous occult woodcuts and esoteric diagrams in text. Impressive folding woodcut of diagram between M2and M3. This book does include the single leaf 'Encomium on (the work) by Eugenius Philalethes' which is called for by Ferguson but often lacking. 

Condition:
The binding displays some overall modest wear . The corners of boards are rubbed and bumped. There is a crack down the length of the middle of the spine, and a small chip in the leather at the foot. The book binding is still very firm and solid. Lacks first blank. Elegant early owner's inscription, dated on blank verso of frontis, and the same early owner's signature, and the year 1779, are faintly visible in the top margin of the title page. A one and a half inch strip has been torn from the bottom margin of the frontis page. The missing area was blank, and there is thus no loss to the text of portrait. The page has been laid down and reinforced (sympathetic period repair). Some of the margin of the 'Encomium' leaf has been torn away, and the leaf laid down, with  no loss to text. The final leaf of index is lacking, but it had been replaced in facsimile, most likely in 19th century. Otherwise this book is complete with all pages and engravings called for. The pages are bright and clean.

Without doubt, this book should be the center piece of any serious collection of scarce books on Western magic and esoteric traditions. 

Condition: VERY GOOD 

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