Reginald Scot's Discoverie of Witchcraft to lead magic sale

Reginald Scot's The Discoverie of Witchcraft (1584) will lead a sale of magic books and memorabilia at Potter & Potter in Chicago with a $30,000-40,000 estimate.

discoverie witchcraft potter
The Discoverie of Witchcraft is the first known magic book

The work, an investigation into sorcery, features a section on common conjuring tricks used to fleece the public. This makes it the first recorded magic book.

It also presents witchcraft as illusory, a heretical notion at the time that led him to refrain from including the address of his publisher in the book. William Shakespeare would later use the work to flesh out the witches in Macbeth.

Copies are exceptionally rare, particularly in good condition.

The book auctions on May 31.

Click here to check out our fascinating selection of books and manuscripts for sale.

Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about books and manuscripts auctions.

Featured products

Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Sale price£399
In stock
Fidel Castro signed certificateFidel Castro Signed Certificate
Fidel Castro signed certificate
Sale price£2,995
In stock
King Henry VIII Autographed DocumentKing Henry VIII Autographed Document
King Henry VIII Autographed Document
Sale price£55,000
In stock