Item Details

Hohman, Johann Georg.

The Long Lost Friend. A Collection of Mysterious & Invaluable Arts & Remedies, for Man as Well as Animals. [Der Lang Verborgene Freund]. with many proofs.

Harrisburg, PA: [no publisher mentioned]; T.F. Scheffer, printer, 1856. First English Edition. Hardcover. Written by John George Hohman, The Long Hidden Friend first appeared in 1820 in German as Der Lange Verborgene Freund, appearing later in English as Pow-Wows; or, Long Lost Friend. It is as a result of this book that the Dutch Pennsylvania tradition of folk-magic known as "Pow-Wow" was established. "Pow-Wows" -- added to the third English-language edition -- brings to mind the 19th century American spiritualist movement, a religious revival in which trance mediums consulted the ghosts of ancestral and deceased relatives for advice. Originally an Anglo-Saxon offshoot of Protestant Christianity, spiritualism found ready acceptance among African-American slaves because it accorded with African religious beliefs regarding the spirits of the dead. It is a fascinating collection of traditional European folk-magical formulas for a wide range of spells, simple rituals, charms, talismans, bindings, prayers, benedictions, magical folk-healing, recipes and remedies for humans and animals as well as various non-magical remedies for matters of rural and domestic life." An extremely important collection of early American, German immigrant folk magick transcends both Christian and folk religious aspects of Pennsylvania life in the 19th century. This a true evolved American grimoire. This edition with OCLC holdings. [Translation of title: Long Hidden Friend, High Faithful and Christian Instruction for Everyone, Containing Wonderful and Proven Means and Arts, Both for Man and Beast.]. Very Good+. Moderate rubbing to boards, chipping and flaking to spine, consistent foxing throughout, chipping, else tight, bright, and unbarred. Evidence of use. 8vo, 72pp. index, illus (b/w). Quarter calf over marbled boards. Item #12141

Price: $650.00