Beschreibung:

BODIN, Jean (1530-1596). De la Demonomanie de Sorciers . Paris: Jacques du Puys, 1582. 4° (220 x 160mm). Collation: ã 4 ë 4 ï 4 A-Z 4 Aa-Zz 4 Aaa-Sss 4. Title with woodcut device. (Title laid down, with two internal holes causing some loss to device and marbled paper adhering to foremargin, title and three preliminary quires affected by browning and staining, occasional light browning of subsequent leaves.) 18th-century French calf, spine gilt, gilt edges (upper cover affected by damp, corners rubbed). Third edition, following publication of the first and second edition by Du Puys in 1580 and 1581; the first Latin edition was printed by Thomas Guarinus (Basel, 1581). Bodin's widely studied book was intended to demonstrate both the existence of sorcerers and the legality of their condemnation on the basis of 'experience' and respect for res judicatae . However, his superstitious belief in sorcery found him no more favour with the church than his advocacy of religious toleration, and all his works were placed on the Index in 1628. Tchemerzine II, 246.