Abraham the Jew on Magic Talismans.
(To be engraven on the Seals of Rings made of various metals, under the influence of the Fixed Stars and the Twenty-eight Mansions of the Moon).
From a manuscript by Frederick Hockley, With an Introduction by Silens Manus.

Abraham the Jew on Magic Talismans is a previously-unpublished manuscript by Frederick Hockley, probably transcribed by him circa 1850 from an earlier work. The manuscript deals with the creation of talismans, and is divided into two parts, the first of which details methods for their manufacture “under the fixed stars” and the second “under the twenty-eight mansions of the moon.” Both sets of concepts were popular in mediaeval and later European astrological and magical practice, having apparently been incorporated into them from Arabic astronomical and astrological treatises composed during the “Golden Age” of Arabic science from the middle of the eighth to the middle of the thirteenth centuries

This first published edition comprises an Introduction in which Silens Manus explores the history of the manuscript, and its relationship with other early magical works, notably those of Cornelius Agrippa. It is followed by a typeset transcription of the text of the manuscript, with explanatory footnotes, etc., and a reproduction of various relevant passages from the 1651 edition of Agrippa’s Three Books of Occult Philosophy. The final section is a facsimile of the original manuscript, printed on special coated paper that gives a photograph like quality to the reproduction.

Frederick Hockley (1809-1885), was an occultist and Freemason with an interest in Spiritualism who in later life was associated with the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia. Hockley’s peers considered him to be one of the great occult scholars of his time in fact he was held in such high regard by one of the founders of the Golden Dawn, W. Wynn Westcott, that he posthumously claimed Hockley as one of the Order’s most outstanding Adepts.

The book is a hardcover, Small quarto. (6 3/4″ x 8 3/4″) 102pp. Sewn, printed on acid-free paper. Bound in heavy black cloth with a gilt design on the front cover, and gilt title to the spine. Colour frontispieces, colour and black and white facsimile of the manuscript. Edition limited to 800 numbered copies.

Book is in fine condition