The Great Book of Magical Art, Hindu Magic, and Indian Occultism
by L.W. deLaurence
Publication: 1939 The deLaurence Publishing Inc
A massive publication 'by' Lauron William de Laurence, the renowned book pirate, plagiarist, and publisher of occult literature. De Laurence was notorious for taking other people's works and reissuing them under his own name (sometimes re-titling them in the process). Despite his roguish eccentricities de Laurence played an important part in the occult publication history of the USA.
Although this volume reads 'Hindu' and 'East Indian Occultism' it is in fact largely a grimoire based on Western ritual magic tradition. The literature is taken from a variety of sources including Francis Barret's Magus, and the works of Cornelius Agrippa. Besides the odd title the work was one of the few works that was widely used for actual magical practice in the mid-20th century Western world. De Laurence had a notoriously eccentric attitude which is often reflected in his endless reprint of books with no updates to the editions or copyright data. This edition in particular has a copyright date of 1914 and edition stating 1939, although this is highly unlikely. This edition seems to be a reprint from the 1960s or 70's.
Condition: Publishers leatherette, elaborately decorative boards and spine, interior clean, binding tight, overall in Near Fine condition