Witchcraft - DEL RIO (Martin). Disquisitionum Magicarum Libr - Lot 22

Witchcraft - DEL RIO (Martin). Disquisitionum Magicarum Libri Sex in tres tomos partiti. Auctore Martino Delrio Societatis Iesu Presbytero, Sacrae Theologiae Doctore, & in Academia Gratiensi S. S. Professore. Nunc secundis curis auctior longe, additionibus multis passim insertis ; correctior quoque mendis sublatis. Lugduni, Apud Io. Pillehotte, 1604. 3 volumes in 1 volume in-4, [12] ff (including frontispiece), 295 (ie 285)-[18] pp, [10]-272-[22] pp, 261-[14] pp, limp vellum, handwritten title on spine, traces of laces, renewed endpapers (contemporary binding). Engraved frontispiece with 11 vignettes depicting scenes from the Exodus. Martin Antoine DEL RIO, Dutch Jesuit scholar, born in Antwerp in 1551, died in Louvain in 1608. Received his doctorate in Spain, he taught philosophy and theology in Salamanca, Douai, Liège and Louvain. "A most valuable work from a documentary point of view. Martin del Rio was able to dissertate with experience on the procedure to be followed in matters of witchcraft, on the manner of giving the question to the accused. Wasn't he one of the fiercest members of the Blood Council instituted by the Duke of Alba in Flanders? Book VI is particularly interesting, as it shows us the role played by priests in these infamous trials"". (Caillet, 2967). Handwritten bookplates, one crossed out on title page. Small paper losses on first few pages (title page restored), light spotting, small wormholes not affecting reading, a few small stains in places, otherwise a good copy of this essential vade mecum on demonology, witches and the trials involving them. (De Backer/Sommervogel, II, 1898). Expert : Madame Elvire POULAIN-MARQUIS