Delrio,M.A. Disquisitionum magicarum libri sex.... Lot 43

Delrio,M.A. Disquisitionum magicarum libri sex. Quibus continetur accurata curiosarum artium, et vanarum superstitionum confutatio, utilis theologis, jurisconsultis, medicis, philologis. Prodit opus ultimis curis longe & auctius & castigatius. 3 parts in 1 volume. Cologne, P. Henning 1633. 4°. Engraved. illustrated. title, [7] fol., 1070 pp. Blind stamped d. Prgt. Zt. on 4 bands over wooden boards with handwritten title on spine. VD17 12:643122E. Cf. Ackermann, Cat. Geheim Wiss. I, 506. caillet 2967. de Backer-Sommervogel II, 1900. graesse, Bibl. mag. et pneum. 47. Hoefer XIII, 507. Koch, Jesuitenlexikon 384. Palau 286.255. - Large Cologne edition of the comprehensive compendium on magic, witchcraft, devil worship, superstition, prophecy, etc., first published in 1599. Book 5-6 deals with the trial system in relation to witchcraft and sorcery. Therefore, like the infamous Hexenhammer, the work is also an important source on witchcraft persecution. - "Del Rio, before joining the Jesuit order, was one of the most bloodthirsty members of the high court established by Duke Alba in Flanders. He reports on the nature of torture in witch trials and the role the priests played in them" (Ackermann). - Title page with corner tear at the top (no loss of image), partly very much browned in places and some brown spotting throughout, good copy. - 3 parts in 1 volume. With engraved title. Contemporary vellum. Title with corner damage, partly severely browned and continuously stained.