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Zena Chiara Masud

Kurt Seligmann, The history of magic, Pantheon Books, New York, 1948

Kurt Seligmann (1900–1962) was a Swiss-born Surrealist artist known for his intricate, fantastical imagery and deep fascination and erudition in the occult. Born in Basel, he studied at the Academy of fine arts in Geneva and in Florence, before moving to Paris and then to New York during World War II, where he became the first Surrealist to emigrate to the United States. Seligmann’s art is characterized by baroque, dreamlike scenes filled with eerie figures, medieval motifs, and alchemical symbolism drawn from his interest in mythology and folklore.

Deeply interested in esoteric traditions, Seligmann was an avid scholar of magic, hermeticism, and the tarot. He believed that the artist and the magician were closely related, both channeling unseen forces. Seligmann’s fusion of art and esoterica made him a unique figure in 20th-century art, bridging Surrealism with Western occult traditions.

Kurt Seligmann died in 1962, allegedly from an accidentally self-inflicted gunshot at his farm in New York. Accounts of the incident mention that he slipped on ice or that he was shooting at rats or squirrels that were stealing birdseed from his yard and the gun discharged, fatally killing him.

The History of Magic (1948) is Kurt Seligmann’s most well-known written work, exploring the history and practice of magic through the ages. It offers a complete overview of occult traditions, from ancient Egypt and classical antiquity to Medieval witchcraft and 19th-century spiritualism. Seligmann approached his work with a dual perspective: both as an artist deeply fascinated by the occult and as a scholar with an anthropological interest in humanity’s magical beliefs. His studies reflect not only a personal enchantment with esoteric traditions but also a critical and historical curiosity about why such beliefs have persisted across cultures and epochs. He presents magic as a serious, historical force shaping religion, science, and art. 
Richly illustrated and meticulously researched, the book bridges myth, folklore, alchemy, and the ceremonial arts. It  includes profiles of key occult figures such as Hermes Trismegistus, Paracelsus, and Agrippa. Seligmann also delves into themes like demonology, divination, and necromancy with a mix of skepticism and fascination. The History of Magic served as a key resource for artists and intellectuals interested in esotericism during the mid-20th century. It was one of the first comprehensive occult histories written by a practicing artist. The work remains a cult classic in both occult and Surrealist circles for its blend of scholarship, symbolism, and visionary imagery.


NB: 
The History of Magic appeared the same year also with the title The Mirror of Magic.
There is no textual or structural difference between the 2 books: both editions share the same pages, chapters, illustrations, publisher, and publication year.
While this could be simply due to Marketing reasons, Seligmann might also have deliberately chosen a duality of titles as part of the book’s mystique: the mirror (symbolic of illusion, reflection, and mystery) versus history (chronological, rational, and factual). 


The book in very good condition, solid binding with some fading, discolored on book spine. Gilt title on spine., magic circle and characters on front cover. Clear pages with no tanning nor notes. Black cloth. 
504 pages; 255 black & white illustrations, bibliography, index of names, table of illustrations, table of contents. 26 cm

PS: I'll ship the book carefully packaged in bubble wrap, via An Post, the Irish Postal Service ("Registered Post, Tracking, Signature & Proof of Delivery, Insurance included to protect your valuable items"). I will provide the tracking number once dispatched.




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