THE MAGICAL ARTS: A SHORT HISTORY by Burland, C. A - 1966

London: Arthur Barker, 1966. 196 pp, 8vo (8 11/16" H). B&w photographs. "From the earliest time man has been fascinated by visions and dreams, and by the discovery that there were men who could, by magical powers, improve a crop or foretell the weather. As civilization grew there were demands for knowledge which would give control over other men or protection from the wiles of enemies. The study of magic and counter magic became important in the policy of states. Later magic was denounced as a work of the Devil, and then the Devil himself was demoted to become a laughing stock. Yet even nowadays there exist in the most advanced nations societies devoted to magical practices, who deal in strange rituals, and promote the interests of their membership against all enemies. A careful study shows that there is a good deal of scientific knowledge involved in the vast and complex network of 'magical' practice today. This book sets out to show some of the main lines of influence which have led to the present traditions. It treats the subject as if if were a tapestry of many strands each of which has a line of origin from which it traverses like a weft thread on the warp of universal psychological experience. This book is a short history of a complex development. It is planned as a groundwork from which the interested reader can advance to further detailed studies." Light wrinkling at bottom of spine, small slight bump at top corner of both boards, some faint variation in colour on the front board and light browning on the edges of the text block, very light toning to the page margins. Dust jacket has light to moderate edge wear at the top and bottom of the spine and flap-folds, a few small closed edge tears and wrinkling, the jacket was laminated over the central portion (panels, spine, flap-folds only) by a previous owner for protection.. Not Signed. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/Good.