Abbé Laurent Bordelon - L'Histoire des Imaginations Extravagantes de Monsieur Oufle. [Reliure signée Dervois] - 1754

Second edition published in 1754, often considered the most complete and rare, of this work dedicated to the occult sciences.

Adorned with 6 beautiful plates engraved by Crespy (missing two plates and the fold-out map of the sabbat).

Work divided into three parts, bound in an elegant binding signed Dervois in half-rooted calf, with a five-ribbed spine decorated with floral tooling and small gold tools. The title piece and volume number are in leather with gold lettering, date at the foot. Red edges.
In very good condition, slightly creased cover, some minor signs of handling wear on the headbands and spine. Corners pierced. Interior fresh and clean, very lightly yellowed paper, a few scattered foxing spots. A fine copy.

Oufle is an anagram of the fool. According to Dorbon, Bordelon's book, written to wage a fierce battle against demons and superstition, remains nonetheless one of the most comprehensive demonology manuals, where all magical and superstitious practices are thoroughly described. A man victim of his countless readings believes, like Don Quixote, in the world of demons and witches. Like all of Bordelon's books, the work is satirical. The numerous notes contain witchcraft recipes, demonological references...

Abbé Laurent Bordelon, born in Bourges in 1653 and died in Paris on April 6, 1730, was a French theologian, playwright, polygraph, and progressive utopian thinker. He wrote 'about a hundred hurried volumes or compilations on all subjects.'

Abbé Laurent Bordelon
The History of Monsieur Oufle's Extravagant Imaginations
Paris: Duchesne, 1754.
in-12 (16.5 x 10.5cm); 149pp + 144pp + 164pp