A Dialogue Concerning Witches and Witchcraftes 1593, George Gifford

£40.00

A Dialogue Concerning Witches and Witchcraftes 1593, George Gifford

Name: A Dialogue Concerning Witches and Witchcraftes 1593, George Gifford
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6237
Price: 40.00 GBP
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Publication: London, Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press, 1931

Formatting: 8vo.

Condition Report: Very Good. The original paper-covered stiff boards are well-preserved, though exhibiting standard age-related toning, minor edge-wear, and light dust-soiling across the panels. The spine remains firm and fully intact with clear, dark lettering, showing only superficial rubbing to the extremes. The binding is remarkably tight and square. The text block features untrimmed, rough-cut page edges that display noticeable foxing, particularly to the top edge, which subtly encroaches upon the margins of the preliminary leaves due to the natural oxidation of the paper stock. The internal pages are otherwise pleasingly clean, crisp, and free from tearing, with only sporadic, mild spotting throughout. A neat, dated previous owner's signature and numerical accession inscription are present on the front free endpaper.

Catalogue Note: This is a highly appealing 1931 facsimile of George Gifford's A Dialogue Concerning Witches and Witchcraftes, originally published in 1593. Issued as the inaugural volume (No. 1) in the esteemed Shakespeare Association Facsimiles series, this edition was published for the Association by Humphrey Milford at the Oxford University Press. It features a scholarly introduction by Beatrice White, offering crucial bibliographical and historical context for the popular witchcraft beliefs of sixteenth-century England.

Gifford's original work remains a cornerstone text in the study of Elizabethan occult history, making this faithful early-twentieth-century reproduction a valuable acquisition for collectors of witchcraft history, antiquarian theology, and Tudor literature.

Copies of this specific 1931 facsimile bound in the original paper-covered boards are increasingly uncommon on the open market.

First published in 1593, George Gifford’s A Dialogue Concerning Witches and Witchcraftes offers a fascinating window into the Elizabethan mindset during a period of intense paranoia surrounding the occult. A Puritan minister from Essex, Gifford presented a nuanced, deeply theological argument against the hysteria of witch hunts, suggesting that the true danger lay not in the supposed magic of witches, but in the demonic deception that led people away from God. This faithful 1931 facsimile provides an accessible yet authentic encounter with one of the era's most significant historical treatises on the supernatural.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: George Gifford

Book Publisher: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: History

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 1931

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Shakespeare Association Facsimiles

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.