CAVENDISH, Richard (ed.). Man, Myth & Magic: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Supernatural.
Leeds: Purnell & Sons, 1970-1971
£850
First edition. Complete set of 7 volumes bound in the publisher’s brown and gold binders. 301 x 240 mm; pp. 1-3152. The original print run of Man, Myth & Magic in 112 colour illustrated issues, previously owned by John Symonds, author and member of the editorial board of the magazine. In remarkably good condition, barely used, with minor wear to spine of vol. 3 (originally a vol. 2 binder with a different label), the first issue in vol. 2 coming slightly loose, the binding slightly detaching in vol. 7. Until issue 44 the covers have been removed, all covers included from then on.
The first edition of a fascinating encyclopedia in magazine format compiling articles on Magic, the Occult, Religion, Mythology and Anthropology. The first publication of its kind, Man, Myth & Magic is a compendium of highly illustrated articles by academics, defining key concepts and topics in detail from beliefs, rites, and customs of ancient societies around the globe through modern fascination with parapsychology, aliens, and the supernatural. It was subsequently republished in a hardcover 24 volume set, with later reprints in 1995 and 2014.