The Philosophy of Witchcraft by Ian Ferguson
Publication: 1924 George G. Harrap; First Edition
Provenance: The book has a signature by William Henry Paynter, a prominent folklorist and scholar known for his work in Cornish antiquity. He focused on collecting witch-stories and folklore during the 1920s and 1930s, a time when witch beliefs were declining in Cornwall. His efforts helped preserve many stories of Cornish witchcraft and cunning folk that would have otherwise been lost.
An unusually sympathetic study for its time, which largely foreshadows the modern view of witchcraft as the survival of pre or non-Christian spiritual belief system. Chapters include 'The Origins of the Witch,' 'Early Christianity and the Witch,' 'Magic and Medicine,' 'Folk-lore - The Refuge of Dreams,' 'The Triumph of Theology,
Condition: publishers black cloth boards, gilt title to spine, foxing to flyleaf and cover page, light foxing, the book is signed on the ffep by William Henry Paynter (scholar), he also underlined the first 30-or-so pages of the book. In addition, there are some interesting and relevant newspaper clippings attached to the front free endpaper and the rear pastedown. The pen ink signature matches the underlining and date on the adjacent newspaper in the rear. There are also two pages with notes written in pen and signed by Margarete Murray, dated 1963. However, they do not appear to be written by her, as she had severe arthritis in the later part of her life. Several lines reference her work “The Origin of Religion,” indicating that these are presumably notes written by a previous owner, binding is tight, overall in Very Good condition
all things considered i have priced as reasonably as possible.