The Golden Bough, A Study in Magic and Religion

London: Macmillan and Co, 1922 . Cloth. Very Good. 9.5" by 6.5". None. A smart example of the first single volume abridged edition of Frazer's highly influential work of comparative religion and anthropology. A first edition thus, being the first single volume abridged edition.Illustrated with a frontispiece.The Golden Bough is an extremely important and influential comparative study of mythology and religion, written by Scottish anthropologist Sir James George Frazer. Frazer was a key figure in the development of modern studies of mythology and comparative religion. Many of his key beliefs centred around the concept of human beings progressing through three stages; primitive magic; religion; and finally science. The Golden Bough is Frazer's Magnum Opus and was first published in two volumes in 1890, three volumes in 1900 and twelve volumes between 1906 and 1919.The Golden Bough, despite being an extremely detailed and wide-ranging work of comparative religion was published with the intention of appealing to all audiences, including those outside of academia. The work addresses the shared elements of religious beliefs and scientific thought, with reference to the variety of symbolism and practices indicative of cultural development. Upon publication, the work was met with immediate success and went through many editions in the author's lifetime.With a four page publisher's catalogue to the rear.With the bookplate of grammar school headmaster Walter Henry Witherby to the front pastedown, and the 1936 inscription of Australian writer Vernon Knowles to the front free endpaper. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Bumping to back strip head and tail, with discolouration to back strip. Rear hinge strained but firmly held. Armorial bookplate to front pastedown, with inscription to front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages lightly age toned to the perimeters, but generally clean and bright. Very Good