Encyclopaedia of Witchcraft & Demonology
Occult Witchcraft Folklore Paranormal Demonology Esotericism Supernatural History of Religion
Serious collectors of the occult prize this 1974 first-edition hardcover of Hans Holzer’s Encyclopaedia Of Witchcraft & Demonology because it distills centuries of demon-lore, trial transcripts, spells, and folk rituals into one lavishly illustrated 252-page reference. Holzer—the celebrated “ghost hunter” who popularized paranormal investigation on 1970s television—approaches every entry as both historian and folklorist, so you get scholarly sourcing alongside the chilling woodcuts and courtroom sketches that make the text pulse with life. From the Malleus Maleficarum to modern neo-pagan revivals, each A-to-Z article is cross-referenced, letting you trace how beliefs evolved from medieval Europe to 20th-century pop culture.
What sets this copy apart is its untouched vintage integrity: an unmolested dust jacket, tight sewn binding, and all plates present—no ex-library stamps, no owner inscriptions, no dog-eared corners. The slight edge bump and minute page-edge chips noted are purely cosmetic; internally the book is clean and complete, perfect for display or research. Young adults discovering witchcraft history and seasoned collectors hunting 1970s esoterica alike seek this Octopus Books release because later reprints dropped many of the rare illustrations and trimmed Holzer’s nuanced commentary on psychology, religion, and mass hysteria.
Owning the 1974 first printing places you in the company of antiquarians, art historians, and paranormal researchers who cite Holzer’s Encyclopaedia as the bridge between academic demonology and modern metaphysical practice. Keywords like “vintage occult hardcover,” “illustrated witchcraft encyclopedia,” and “first edition Holzer” consistently rank this title at the top of curated book-site searches, ensuring both cultural value and investment appeal.
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