Beschreibung:

(Esoterica) - SPRENGER, Jacob; [KRAMER, Heinrich].- Malleus maleficarum in tres divisus partes, in quibus concurrentia ad maleficia, maleficorum effectus, remedia adversus maleficia […]. His nunc primùm adiecimus, M. Bernhardi Basin opusculum de artibus magicis, avec Magorum, maleficiis. Item. D. Ulrici Molitoris Constantiensis, de lamiis & pythonicis mulieribus dialogum. Item. D. Joannis de Gerson […] de probatione spirituum […]. Item. D. Thomae Murner […] de Pythonico contractu […]. Francofurti ad Moenum, apud Nicolaum Bassaeum, 1580. In-8° : [24]-737 [i.e. 755]-[42] pp. (small dampstains in the margins, some wormholes in the text in the beginning, some pp. lightly browned at the end). Contemporary binding : vellum with flaps, ink titles on the upper board and flat spine, titles on the fore- and top-edges (ties lacking, small stains). 16th CENTURY EDITION. FIRST EDITION containing the treatises on magic, devilries, spirits and whichcraft of Bernard Basin, Ulrich Molitor, Jean Gerson and Thomas Murner The "Malleus maleficarum", comprehensive disquisition, called "Hammer of the witches" is regarded as one of the most salient and authoritative works on witchcraft : "it crystallized into a fiercely stringent code previous folklore about black magic with church dogma on heresy, and, if any work could, opened the floodgates of the inquisitorial hysteria" (cfr Robbins). The oldest edition is probably the one of Lyon by Giunta in 1484 and no less than 14 editions were published between 1487 and 1520 and at least 16 editions between 1574 and 1669. The influence of this work through time is indisputable and is corroborated by the countless quotes of its methods and examples in many other works. The problem of the authorship on the other hand remains an interesting issue as the current literature is not conclusive and most of the bibliographies refer to Jacob Sprenger (1435-1495) as the main author (cfr Adams, Caillet, Machiels, Wellcome). Nevertheless recent research indicates that Institoris or Heinrich Kramer (1430-1507) not only wrote this work alone but also used Sprenger's name to promote it (although Sprenger certainly wrote the "Apologia auctoris"). Both were important theologians who were appointed as general Inquistors in Northern Germany by the famous bull of Innocent VIII "Summis desiderantes affectibus" of 9 December 1484, still their relationship was characterized by animosity and acrimony and the more powerful Sprenger used every oppurtunity to thwart Kramer. It is more than likely that beyond lending the work the prestige, Sprenger's contribution was minimal (cfr Broedel). Printer's mark on the last leaf. Copy with 3 formulas in French written on the upper flyleaf by a contemporary hand (probably different from those of Johannis Castaine, cfr infra) : "Pour savoir si une personne est sorcière", "Pour savoir si une personne est ensorcelée", "Pour tourmenter et battre la sorcière et son démon". # Adams S-1616; # VD 16 S 8383; # USTC 674755 (title slightly different, same collation); # Soltész S-766 (pp. 1-632); # Summers, Montague.- Introduction to the Malleus Maleficarum (http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/mm/mmintro.htm); # Broedel.- The Malleus Maleficarum and the construction of witchcraft, pp. 18-19; # Robbins.- The encyclopedia of witchcraft and demonology, pp. 337-340; # not in Caillet (other ed.), Dorbon/Bibliotheca esoterica, Machiels, Matagne, Duveen, Wellcome. Provenance : Johannis Castaine, ordinated pastor on 10 March 1583 in Bailleul, diocese of Tournai. He bought the book in Antwerp on 24 April 1586 for 4 stuyvers (handwritten mention). He calls this book a "Liber optimus contra maleficas" and wrote some marginalia in the beginning. ¶ Un des plus important traité sur la sorcellerie qui eut une influence et un retentissement énorme dans toute l'Europe. Première édition à contenir les traités de Basin, Molitor, Gerson et Murner. Plein vélin de l'ép. (pet. défauts). Drouotlive.com Read more