Cinq livres de l'imposture et tromperie des diables : des enchantements & sorcelleries : pris du latin [...] et faits françois par Jaques Grévin [...].

8vo: [8]-460-[31-1 bl.] ff. (sm. damp stains, pp. 70-73 [i.e. 72] and 85-87 inverted, one single stain on last ff.).

Re-used 17th-c. overl. vellum, covers orn. with a central gilt oval medallion and ruled, gilt ruled spine with raised bands, gilt edges (staining).

First edition of the translation by Jacques Grévin (1538-1570), doctor and playwright, of Wier's work on demonology. Deals with the actions and power of the devil, people bewitched and their healing, punishment of magicians and witches, love enchantments, incubus or "coquemar" (i.e. nightmares), exorcism, etc. The Dutch physician Wier (1515-1588), disciple and follower of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, doesn't believe in the evils of witchcraft, but considers the witches as mentally ill people, suffering from delusions, who need to be healed. He was the first to write against the persecution of the witches. This work, first published in Basel under the title "De praestigiis daemonum" (1563), was influential in the abolishment of witchcraft trials in the Low Countries. Printer's mark on title.
Ref. Caillet 11431. - Pettegree (FB) 51570. - STC French p. 447. - Not in Adams, Dorbon.
Prov. Ms. entry on title.