Item Details

Hohmann, Johann Georg; Dr. G. F. Helfenstein [Georg Friedrich].

Der Lang Verborgene Freund, enthaltend Wunderbare und probmässige Mittel und Künst, sowohl für die Menschen, als das Vieh. [The Long Lost Friend, or the Lost Hidden Friend]. [together with] Demselben ist beigefügt Dr. G.F. Helfenstein's vielfältig erprobter Hausschatz der Sympathie, oder enthüllte Zauberkräfte und Geheimnisse der Natur.

Harrisburg, PA: Scheffer und Beck, 1853. Later 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. "Included in this copy is "Tried and Tested Treasury of Sympathy" or "Revealed Magical Powers and Secrets of Nature" by Georg Friedrich. Dr. Helfenstein, medical doctor education in the Netherlands learns the ways of sympathetic healing or ritual healing after an encounter with a mysterious healing man. It is also suspected the Helfenstein could also be a penname. The text comprises of religious blessings, rituals for protection of home and livestock, and other healing cures."--cited from the newly translated "Soli Deo Gloria" by Dr. Patrick Donmoyer. Very Good+. Cracked spine, but intact. Moderate shelf/edgewear, chipping/rubbing, consistent foxing throughout, else tight, bright, and unmarred. Quarter calf over marbled tan boards. 8vo. 108pp. Index. In German. Item #13702

Price: $850.00