Art Magic, or The Sub-Mundane and Super-Mundane Spiritism by Emma Hardinge Britten
Publication: 1898 Progressive Thinker Publishing House Second Printing
One of the best-known works associated with Emma Hardinge Britten (1823-1899) offers a curious overview of occult and religious practices, spanning from ancient Egypt to the contemporary Spiritualist literature of Andrew Jackson Davis. The book particularly emphasizes medieval evocatory and theurgical texts, the Cabala, and magic in general. While many suspect that Britten authored the work herself, she claimed to have only edited it and suggested that it was actually written by someone known as ‘Chevalier Louis de B———,’ a possibly fictional Adept. Britten also implied that this figure had introduced her to a highly select and secretive occult fraternity called the ‘Orphic Society.’
Condition: publishers blue cloth boards, with silver title to spine and covers,there is an inscription dated January 16, 1899 opposite side of floral end-paper- It appears someone tried to cover it with pencil, causing damage to the end paper and leaving a small gap in the center, the covers have some slight discoloration marks primarily along the spine and the front boards, slight vertical lean to binding which i would presume will eventually correct itself with proper shelving, overall still in Very Good condition