BOGUET, Henry. An Examen of Witches: Drawn from Various Trials of Many of This Sect in the District of Saint Oyan De Joux commonly known as Saint Claude, in the county of Burgundy, including the procedure necessary to a judge in trials for witchcraft.

(London): John Rodker, 1929.  First edition thus.  Hardcover.  19cm by 12.5cm.  liii, 328 pages. Translated (from the French) by E. Allen Ashwin and edited by Montague Summers.  A nice copy of this detailed account of witch trials in France. Boguet, was a prominent judge and witch-hunter, the book thus serves as both a legal handbook and a collection of cases, reflecting the widespread fear and persecution of witches in early modern Europe.  Boguet describes how witches supposedly made pacts with the Devil, attended secret sabbaths, practiced black magic, and even transformed into animals. He provides detailed methods for identifying witches, often relying on forced confessions, physical marks, and spectral evidence. The book also discusses legal justifications for executing witches, arguing that their eradication was necessary to protect Christian society.  This a very good copy with green and white wove cloth boards and green parchment spine, gilt lettering to spine, top edge stain green fore and bottom edges uncut.  Published in a limited edition of 1275 numbered copies.  An important record of the paranoia and religious zeal that fueled witch hunts.