Magical Manuscripts in Early Modern Europe

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The narrative explores a remarkable collection of 140 'learned magic' manuscripts sold in the early eighteenth-century German book trade, examining its significance as both a historical artifact and a reflection of the broader tradition of Western learned magic. It delves into themes of censorship, the dynamics of clandestine book markets, and the interplay between manuscripts and print culture. With a critical edition of the 1710 selling catalogue and analyses of the manuscripts, this study appeals to scholars in early modern history, magic, cultural studies, and esotericism.