An History of Magic, Witchcraft, and Animal Magnetism (1851)
Complete 2-Volume Set by J.C. Colquhoun – London Edition
This rare and complete 1851 two-volume set, An History of Magic, Witchcraft, and Animal Magnetism, is an important work by Scottish author J.C. Colquhoun (1786–1854). Printed in London, this scholarly study explores the mysterious intersection of occult traditions, spiritual belief, and early scientific inquiry during the mid-19th century. Colquhoun’s work is notable for its ambitious scope, tracing humanity’s fascination with hidden forces from the ancient world through European witchcraft trials, folklore, and mystical traditions, culminating in an examination of animal magnetism (an early form of hypnosis introduced by Franz Mesmer in the 18th century). At the time, animal magnetism was a controversial subject, balancing between science, pseudoscience, and the supernatural, a theme that continues to intrigue researchers and collectors today.
The 1851 edition remains a valuable resource not only for historians of occultism but also for readers interested in the cultural climate of Victorian England, where spiritualism, mesmerism, and the search for hidden knowledge captured public imagination.
Author: J.C. Colquhoun
Publication: London, 1851
Format: Complete 2-volume set
Subjects Covered: Magic, Witchcraft, Folklore, Occult Beliefs, Animal Magnetism (Mesmerism), and the boundaries between science and mysticism.
A 174-year-old treasure, this set stands as both a collectible artifact of occult history and a testament to the 19th-century hunger for understanding the unseen world.
Volume 1 hardbound book with 326 pages
Volume 2 hardbound book with 316 pages
These books were not published with a table of contents
Additional keywords: Witchcraft, supernatural, pagan, manifestation, devil, spiritual, magic, phenomenon, possessed, animal magnetism, magnetic phenomenon, somnambulism, malevolent beings, spirits, clairvoyance, and more.
An incredible addition to your historic occult studies library.
There is shelf wear as shown in photos, with wear and chips around the exterior spine with some fading. Interior pages have some age. Pages are all intact. There is a signature and date on the interior page from 1853. A few very minor pencil marks on the interior. Beautiful, embossed design on the exterior.
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