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PRIEUR, Claude.
Dialogue de la Lycanthropie ou transformation d'hommes en loups,
vulgairement dits Loups-garous, & si telle se peut faire. Auquel en discourant est traicté de la maniere de se contregarder des enchantemens & sorcelleries, ensemble de plusieurs abus & superstitions, lesquelles se commettent en ce temps.
Publisher: Louvain: Jean Maes, & Philippe Zangre, 1596
Stock code: 63755
Price: £6,500 Currency Conversion
First edition of the one of the key discussions of lycanthropy in the latter stages of the European witchcraft panic. The author, a French Franciscan monk, steers the middle ground between the radical scepticism of Scot and Weyer and the hard-line credulity of Jean Bodin and a few others. Prieur argues that lycanthropy cannot be literally real, because it is impossible that the human soul can function in an animal body (and vice versa). He denies the devil the power to effect that transfer or to transmute substantial forms, yet acknowledges his diabolic power of creating the illusion of transformation. Prieur also situates the enigmatic figure of the werewolf as horror archetype in the contemporary political confusions and violence of the French Wars of Religion. The book is a notable rarity in commerce, with no copy at auction since 1987.
Small octavo (146 × 92 mm). Early nineteenth-century polished calf, covers with thick-and-thin gilt rules and gilt arms at centre, smooth spine with gilt bands and blind roundels, red morocco label, marbled endpapers and edges. Extremities rubbed, tips just worn, pale stain at foot of rear cover not affecting text, a very good copy.
