Item Details
The Cat in the Mysteries of Religion and Magic.
London: Rider & Co., [1930]. First Edition. Hardcover. Mary Gertrude Oldfield Howey (19 August 1882 - 20 December 1967 was the older sister of suffragette Elise Howey. Mary would use combinations of those names: Mary Howey, Mary Oldfield Howey, Mary G. Howey and M. Oldfield Howey. Information on Mary Howey's writing and scholarly career remains limited and would deserve more research. She published The Horse in Magic and Myth in 1923, that she illustrated herself. This book was followed by The Encircled Serpent; a Study of Serpent Symbolism in all Countries and Ages (1926), and The Cat in the Mysteries of Religion and Magic (1930). The author traces the various beliefs and customs relating to cats through the ages from ancient Egypt to current superstition. All aspects are dealt with, there being chapters of 'Freya and her Cat', 'Witches in Cat Form', 'The Cat in Paradise', 'The Cat's Nine Lives', 'The Corn Cat'... The image of the cat has been used in a variety of places in a variety of cultures, and can carry many different meanings. "The subjects to which the Cat Symbol introduces us are themselves so tremendous that scarcely one of them could be exhausted by a lifetime's exclusive devotion, so of course no claim of completeness is made for this work. But absolutely inadequate as it must be in relation to its theme, I believe it still contains much that will be found of absorbing interest both to the general reader and to the student of Life's mysteries." (intro). With compliments of publisher stamped on title page. Very Good+. Light toning, rubbing, and even shelfwear/toning to head and tail, else tight, bright, and unmarred. Bright blue cloth with gilt titling. 8vo. 254pp. Illus. (b/w, color frontis), index. In mylar. with ex libris pasted on ep, stamp on tp. Item #13218
Price: $450.00