The Golden Bough A Study in Magic and Religion

London: Macmillan and Co., 1925-30. Cloth. Very Good Indeed. 9" by 5.5". None . A complete set of the third and best edition of James George Frazer's famous study on religion, mythology and anthropology. Mixed editions as is common with this work.The third edition is considered to be the most important, as his work was expanded significantly for this edition. The work was first published in two volumes in 1890, in three in 1900 and then in twelve for the third edition between 1906 and 1915. The impressions are as follows; 'The Balder the Beautiful' vol 1- Published 1930, first edition 5th impression.'The Balder the Beautiful' vol 2- Published 1930, first edition 5th impression.'Bibliography and Index' - Published 1925, first edition 4th impression. 'The Scapegoat'- Published 1925, third edition 5th impression. 'The Dying God' - Published 1930, first edition 7th impression. 'The Magic Art' Vol 1 - Published 1926, third edition 7th impression.'The Magic Art' Vol 2 - Published 1926, third edition 7th impression. 'Adonis Attis Osiris' Vol 2 - Published 1927, third edition 4th impression. 'Adonis Attis Osiris' Vol 2 - Published 1927, third edition 4th impression. 'Spirits of the Corn and of the Wild' Vol 1- Published 1925, third edition, 5th impression. 'Spirits of the Corn and of the Wild' Vol 2- Published 1925, third edition 5th impression.'Taboo and the Perils of the Soul' - Published 1927, third edition 7th impression.A twelve volume complete set. Illustrated with a frontispiece to 'Magic Art' Volume 1. In the publisher's original gilt cloth. This influential and comprehensive work on religion and mythology was written by the 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, 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. In the publisher's original cloth. Externally very smart with bumping to the head and tail of the spines, small closed tears to the head of the spine to the majority of the volumes with slight loss to the head of 'The Magic Art', slight leans to the odd volume and light fading to the spines. Very light offsetting to the endpapers. Internally firmly bound with clean and generally bright pages with very minimal age toning. Offsetting to the half title to 'The Dying God'. Very Good Indeed