Book of magic, with instructions for invoking spirits, etc [manuscript], ca. 1577-1583.

V.b.26 (1) Spine title: Theurgia M.S. 1583 Book of Magic
V.b.26 (2) Slipcase and cover title: Key of Solomon

2 v. : ill. and charts ; 35-40 cm

An eclectic anthology of spells and invocations with charts, magic circles, and descriptions and drawings of spirits, angels, and demons. Draws on the Solomonic tradition, with traces of the Lemegeton (including the Goetia), references to "Friar Bacon" (Roger Bacon), and set within a Christian framework. Multiple spells relate to deterring or catching thieves and curing or preventing sicknesses. Includes translations of Psalms 43, 47, 51, 54, 67, 121, 138, and 150 (p. 25-26).

In English and Latin with some Hebrew.

Two portions of a single manuscript acquired separately (in 1958 and 2007) after having been split up no later than 1887. Pages 1-14 remain unlocated.
Pagination added later in blue ink (contemporary foliation in brown ink survives, foliated 16-114; wanting leaves 15-17, 26-28, 38, 40, 111-113).
Written in black and red ink.
Annotations in several hands, contemporary and modern, in pencil and ink.
In the text appears the names: John Weston (p. 143) and in anagrammatic form, John Porter (nh4z retr4p) (p. 135).
Dates: May 8, 1577 on p. 51; 1583 on p. 105.
Most poems from V.b.26 (1) listed in Folger index of first lines.

Mowat, Barbara A. "Prospero's book," Shakespeare Quarterly, Spring 2001, p. 1-33.

"R.C.S., 1822" (the astrologer R.C. Smith aka Raphael) in manuscript on page 15, after which provenance varies. See item-specific information for each volume.

Bible. Psalms. English.

Folgerpedia article about Folger Shakespeare Library MS V.b.26 (1) (with partial transcription)
Digital image(s) of Folger Shakespeare Library V.b.26 (1)
Digital image(s) of Folger Shakespeare Library V.b.26 (2)

V.b.26 (1)

p. 15-205, 35 x 23 cm. Decorated initials added later by R.C. Smith. A poem, "Fairy lore," by E.H.W. Meyerstein, dated September 8, 1929, corrected May 20, 1935, appears on verso of leaf after p. 205. 19th century half-calf binding. Provenance: R.C. Smith -- Frederick Hockley -- Hockley's sale, Sotheby's April 6-7, 1887 (lot 380) -- "E.H.W. Meyerstein, July 8, 1929," [leaf 4] -- Meyerstein's sale, Sotheby's (London) December 15-17, 1952 (lot 474). Acquired from Day's (Booksellers) Ltd., Highfield, 1958.

Shakespeare: The Globe and the World, traveling exhibition, October 4, 1979-September 6, 1982.
The Curatorial Eye: Discoveries from the Folger Vault, curated by Folger Shakespeare Library staff, Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., June 13-August 29, 2009.

MS Add 158

V.b.26 (2)

p. 206-235, leaves mounted individually (33-34 x 23 cm) and interleaved with modern paper, housed in case (40 x 28 cm); page 218 lower left hand corner damaged and missing 2 of the sigils (1 on p. 218 and 1 on p. 219). Red ink faded. An additional leaf of 20th century notes appears loose after p. 235. Bound in tan calf; blind tooled with title. Housed in brown cloth-covered case. Provenance: R.C. Smith -- Robert Lenkiewicz. Acquired from Sotheby's (London), July 12, 2007 (lot 1). Purchase made possible by the B.H. Breslauer Foundation, Inc.

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