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ARS OBSCURA Bookbinders - Fine Hand Bookbinding
Hand Bookbinders, Book Repair, Book Restoration Specialists, & POD Publisher
Grand Central Arcade Joel Radcliffe is a master craftsman, specializing in fine hand leather bookbinding and restoration, antique book repair, binding repair, paper repair, rare book restoration, rare book preservation. ARS OBSCURA Bookbinders & Restoration receives binding and paper restoration orders from world-wide book collectors in search of trustworthy Old World hand bookbinders. The Place of Magic in the Intellectual History of Europe Originally published in 1905, this work, after a manner, is an outline for Lynn Thorndike's later monumental magnum opus, the eight volume set of the History of Magic and Experimental Science. I offer this work largely on the value of Lynn Thorndike's gargantuan stature amongst scholars of Magick and original thinking. I've contributed the new typesetting and a fine leather binding of a limited ARS OBSCURA Press edition. ISBN: 0-9623780-9-7. 12 pp.,107 pgs., 5 ½ x 8 ½ inches. In this era of mainstream religious strife, we've felt that an authentic Witchcrafte spell Book would be most refreshing! This work is probably the most gorgeous yet to come out of this studio. The type-setting and era page ornamentation are an instant charm. Old Tradition Crafte presents authentic Witchcrafte of Scottish and English origin. The practices and rituals herein date upto and beyond the era of Dr. John Fian's demise at the hands of the Inquisitors and King James VI, in 1591. Robin Artisan, with his translation from original materials, illuminates a complete system of Old Tradition Witchcrafte. This work demonstrates, amongst other topics, the strategy used by the witches of this era and area to survive "the burning times". Being a complete system, this work presents itself in three books. Book One is Stone Magick. The primary foundation of Earth Magick, the Four Elements and the Seasons of the Sun and Moon, are elaborated on. Herein is a hands-on grimoire for the making of the ritual tools, starting with the tools for cutting stone, the cutting of the stones, the consecrations and blessings, and the Calling of the stones. The additional key of the witches' Rune alphabet is present. Book Two is The Guild Book. This work unveils the survival mechanism put into place by a persecuted people to survive the Holy Inquisition. It takes on the form of the Trade Guild, or the economic entrenchment of Witchcrafte. Herein are the Laws, the Tools of the Trade and Guild, the Initiation, the Witches' Ring, the Grand Sabbat, the Old Gods, and the Herb Burnings. Dr. Fian's Spell Book, being Book Three, delineates the ritual technical details of the Witch Work, divination by playing cards, dice and scrying. In addition, the Witches' Bottle and the Witches' Eye, Familiar Spirits, Thread and String Charms, Poppets, a Cauldron Spell and sundry curses & bindings. Indeed, such charming little ditties as love and lust spells, how to blight a neighbor's crops, how to avoid an unwanted love, and weather spells. In all, rather well balanced expose' of the practices of those of the Crafte. Appended is a photo reprint of The Damnable Life & Death of Dr. Fian, as published in 1591. A newspaper article, or popular concept, of the events themselves. A brief, but scarce work that fleshes out the details of Dr. Fian's brief and tragic appearance on history's stage. Illustrated. vii pps., 191pgs., 4.5 inches by 7.25 inches. The text has been set in Janson Text. De Virtutibus Lapidum Dating from the Second Century B.C. in Arabia, this classic has been translated from the Old Latin and Classical Greek. An emphasis on completeness is exhibited in the publishing of this work; in this translation the original Latin and Greek are printed in the latter half of the book. Also included are the complete Latin footnotes. The luster from the blend of historical curiosity and the power of stones create a unique tone and brilliant insight into the diverse magickal/ritual and healing uses of gemstones. Fifty gemstones are mentioned. In the history of lapidaries, De Virtutibus Lapidum, by the Mage Damigeron represents one of our deepest roots of an ancient source of the base for our contemporary literature and knowledge on the magickal lore of gemstones. This is possibly the oldest in the West and Near East. ISBN: 0-9623780-3-8. 16 pp.,94 pgs., 4.25 x 7 inches. The God of Socrates, Apuleius, Heptangle Books, cloth God of Socrates. #PubGOS $35 + $5 shipping & handling. Handset letterpress. The classical author of The Golden Asse, Lucius Apuleius, here delivers a tract of serious philosophy. This work puts forth the view of the nature of the Daemon prior the Judaeo-Christian corruption of that character to Demon. Herein is analysis of genius & Socrates represents the model.“You may call this daemon in our tongue, according to interpretation, a Genius, I know not whether rightly, but certainly at my peril; because this God (or daemon), who in the mind of everyone, though it is immortal, nevertheless, it is after a certain manner generated with man; so that those prayers by which implore the Genius, & which we employ when we embrace the knees genua of those whom we supplicate, appear to me to testify our connexion & union …” 55 pgs., 5” x 7”. ISBN: 0-935214-12-7. THE MODERN ALCHEMIST Prior my career as a bookbinder, I spent 10 years working as a graphic artist. This work, comprising 17 reproductions of copperplate engravings dating to 1599, represents 7.5 years of my spare time. Alas, this work is back in print! An essential tool on your quest for enlightenment and peace. "Not since Carl Jung wrote on inner transformation and alchemy has there been such a evealing, illuminating discussion of this art and its hidden message."~ Dr. Stanley Krippner Saybrook Institute. Traditional religions, with their emphasis upon ritual and belief, often fail to meet the spiritual needs of contemporary individuals. Nonetheless, the direct experience of life's sacred dimension yields many positive results for the human personality and inner spirit. The Modern Alchemist has a great deal to say to those who are seeking spiritual nourishment in the modern age. It is a first-hand, experiential guide to the process which medieval alchemists represented as the transformation of "lead into gold" or lower substances into higher ones. To Richard and Iona Miller, the transformation goes much further than that--it is an inner change that leads to wholeness, integration and flowering of the total personality. Using the language of depth psychology as well as alchemy, they show how we can actualize our birthright and become consciously involved in the natural transformative process. In this way, we can find a more intimate connection with the guiding, nurturing powers of the universe and the "lost" parts of ourselves. This paperback edition is lavishly illustrated with seventeen engravings from The Book of Lambsprinck, 1599, depicting the alchemical process, faithfully and rigorously reproduced by Joel Radcliffe of ARS OBSCURA Bookbinding and Restoration Co. 15 pp., 224 pgs., 6x9, ISBN: 0-933999-37-2 |