Néroman, D. “Grande Encyclopédie Illustrée des Sciences Occultes” [1952]

NÉROMAN, D. (dir.) Grande Encyclopédie Illustrée des Sciences Occultes.

Paris: Editorial Argentor, 1952. Complete in two volumes. 9.75” x 6.75”. 522pp + 624pp. Bound in publisher's deluxe green grained leatherette decoratively stamped in gilt and white with occult motifs including palmistry, astrology, tarot, and constellations. Profusely illustrated throughout with photographs, diagrams, charts, facsimiles, and color plates. Light rubbing at extremities and a few minor scuffs to covers; bindings sound and contents clean. Very Good+.

An ambitious mid-century French survey of Western esoteric traditions, edited by the astrologer and occult writer D. Néroman (Pierre Rougié). The encyclopedia covers astrology, palmistry, cartomancy, tarot, numerology, alchemy, ceremonial magic, divination, dream interpretation, psychic phenomena, folklore, and related occult sciences. Illustrations throughout include astrological charts, tarot imagery, occult diagrams, historical engravings, and reproductions of manuscripts and artifacts.

Among the most substantial and visually distinctive French occult reference works of the postwar period, combining broad coverage of esoteric subjects with striking decorative bindings and extensive illustrative material.