Salem Witchcraft: With an account of Salem of Village and a history of opinions on Witchcraft and Kindred Subjects

AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE SET WITH ZERO LISTED BY ANY KNOWN INSTITUTION OF THIS EDITION
WITH HISTORY DATING BACK OVER 400 YEARS TO THE 17TH CENTURY
THIS DOUBLE SET COMPRISED OVER 1,000 PAGES (1,012) AND INCLUDES THE FULL MANUSCRIPT (NOT A CONDENSED VERSION LIKE MOST)
CONSIDERED ONE OF THE GREATEST MANUSCRIPTS EVER COMPILED ON SALEM WITCHCRAFT
IN PHENOMENAL CONDITION FROM COVER TO COVER AND THE MOST WELL-PRESERVED SET I HAVE EVER SEEN

"In such a place as this, at such an hour, if ancestry can be believed, descending spirits have conversed with man and told the secrets of the world unknown..."

Regarding books on Salem Witchcraft, I have a few, but this particular set is one of my favorite editions ever produced. Many printings of this book, including many dating to the 19th century, had been significantly condensed, not giving the reader the complete account of the events that transpired at Salem. This set, which consists of over 1000 pages, is the full edition. As stated, this is a rare Double-Set, and before listing this, I checked every known online book site to see if there were any others, and I came across zero sets available; needless to say, it has become a very hard-to-come. Dating back to the 1600s, this double volume is a unique piece of historical literature that needs to be appreciated for its rarity and historical value. These famous volumes will doubtless remain the standard work on seventeenth-century Salem and its trials. First, they give a full background of the dark and despondent period. Then, they offer details of the 1692 prosecutions, with fascinating quotations from trial testimony and depositions. All documents are unchanged except for spelling modernization.

"If you want to inquire into the Salem Witch Trials, this should be your first book. With unusual insight, Caroline Upham leads the reader through this historical phenomenon from start to finish without burdening her narrative with voluminous court records. Instead, she provides a moving account that, though all factually true, appears to be more of a horror story."

First published in 1867, it will long remain the standard work on seventeenth-century Salem and its notorious trials, with all that the era holds of "the pitiable and tragical, the mysterious and awful." The work of a historian who was a Mayor of modern Salem, these comprehensive volumes presents a memorable picture of the time and the people who were so deeply involved in searching out purveyors of witchcraft. Volume One gives a full background and history of Salem, revealing how the witchcraft hysteria grew out of a dark and despondent period-"the triumphant age of superstition" —when debts oppressed the struggling colonists, piracy on the coasts, the passing of their leading citizens, etc. Volume Two contains details of the prosecutions of 1692, including depositions which, in line with an earlier Massachusetts ruling, were to be preserved in perpetuity. Modernized for spelling and punctuation but otherwise unchanged, these fascinating documents take us into the inmost recesses of Salem life. A large fold-in map of Salem Village and plates showing documents and other special-interest items add to this extraordinary work's unique value.

The overall condition of these books is excellent, especially considering they were printed 37 years ago (1987). They have an interesting way of stamping the date in these editions using a Library of Congress number. The way to read these numbers for the print date is denoted by the last five digits of this code, which is 10887, corresponding to October 8th, 1987. After extensive research, I cannot find any other sets from this print year that are currently being offered.

As stated, the condition of these books is being listed as fair due to some age and shelf wear. They do retain tight bindings and are complete. The notations I can make are scattered underlining on some of the pages, stains to the last page, and age and use to the covers and spine, although it adds to the ambiance of the books and shows its history. Keep in mind that these are now 58 years old (1966.)

The infamous Salem witch trials began during the spring of 1692, after a group of young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, claimed to be possessed and accused several local women of witchcraft. ... By September 1692, the hysteria had begun to abate, and public opinion turned against the trials.

The Salem Witch Trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions in colonial Massachusetts (specifically in Salem Village, present-day Danvers) between 1692 and 1693. During this time, a wave of hysteria swept through the community, leading to the accusation and persecution of numerous individuals on charges of witchcraft.

The Salem witches were the individuals who were accused of practicing witchcraft during the trials. The indicted included women and men from various backgrounds, although most were women. The reasons for accusations varied and often stemmed from personal disputes, social tensions, religious beliefs, and economic rivalries.

The accused were believed to have made a pact with the devil, enabling them to harm others through supernatural means. The afflicted individuals, who displayed symptoms of mysterious illnesses or unusual behavior, claimed to be victims of the witches' dark powers. The trials involved hearings, examinations, and testimonies, with the accused facing intense scrutiny and pressure to confess their alleged involvement in witchcraft.

Ultimately, the Salem Witch Trials resulted in the death of 20 people, 14 of whom were women, and the imprisonment of many others. The trials were marked by a lack of substantial evidence and a reliance on spectral (supernatural) testimonies, leading to widespread injustice and tragedy. It was not until the trials lost public support and doubts emerged regarding the credibility of the accusations that the hysteria began to subside.

The Salem Witch Trials have since become a significant historical event, representing a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass hysteria, prejudice, and the abuse of power. The trials continue to be studied and remembered as a reminder of the importance of due process, the presumption of innocence, and the need to critically evaluate evidence in matters of justice.