Léo Taxil; Méjanel; Pannemaker - Les Mystères de la Franc-Maçonnerie - 1870-1880

Leo Taxil: "The Mysteries of Freemasonry". Famous edition published in Paris by Letouzey & Ané Éditeurs; (1870?) the work presents itself as an in-depth and illustrated analysis of the Masonic world of the era, rich in wood engravings and plates outside the text showing plans of temples, symbols, initiation rituals such as the Rose-Croix ceremony, historical meetings and emblematic scenes such as the Chain of Union or the forest Freemasonry linked to Carbonarism; the text also includes the summary manual "La Franc-Maçonnerie Dévoilée et Expliquée", representing a historical document of notable charm for collectors of non-fiction, the history of secret societies and esotericism; the copy is bound in half parchment or antique parchment with boards covered in blue marbled paper, spine with raised bands and a leather label and gilded emblems or titles impressed in gold; the overall condition is good for a volume of the era, the binding structure is solid, while the inner pages show the natural patina of time with widespread foxing and browning typical of late nineteenth-century paper, which do not compromise readability or the beauty of the numerous and suggestive full-page illustrations. In 8vo, pp. 802 n.