1910 - The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses or, Moses’ Magical Spirit-Art Kabala
Author: Anonymous.
Title: The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses; or, Moses’ Magical Spirit-Art, Known as the Wonderful Arts.
Publisher: Printed in U.S.A., 1910.
Language: Text in English (translated from the German, after earlier Hebrew sources).
Size: 7.5 x 5 inches.
Pages: 190 pages.
Binding: Very good original publisher’s cloth binding (hinges fine, overall slightly scuffed - as shown) housed in its original dust jacket, also in very good condition (light wear and minor chips and marks - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. A rare find with the original dust jacket.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, with general age toning to the paper as expected, a tiny chip to the upper margin of the Preface page, not affecting text - as shown). A solid and attractive copy.
Illustrations: Numerous engraved figures, seals, and magical diagrams throughout the text.
Additional material:
Complete with two original magical book seals, including one showing partial ritual burning, a striking and evocative survival rarely encountered.
Estimate: (USD 450–500).
The book: A classic and enduring work of Western occult literature, The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses occupies a unique place at the crossroads of folklore, mysticism, and popular magic; presented here in a well-preserved early American edition, the text claims to transmit ancient Hebrew magical knowledge derived from the Cabala and associated traditions, offering instructions, seals, and invocations intended to summon spirits, influence fate, and unlock hidden powers; richly illustrated with symbolic diagrams and sigils, the work reflects both the fascination and the anxiety surrounding esoteric knowledge in the modern era; copies retaining original inserts or ritual ephemera are increasingly scarce, and the presence here of original seals, one bearing evidence of use, lends the volume a tangible connection to its historical function as an object not merely read, but practiced.
The author: Though traditionally attributed to Moses, this work is in fact a later compilation of magical texts circulating in German-speaking regions before being translated into English; it draws upon elements of Jewish mysticism, Christian esotericism, and popular magical traditions, forming part of a broader corpus of grimoires that influenced occult practice from the 18th century onward.