A 3-volume set featuring Brand's best-known work, "Chiefly Illustrating the Origin of Our Vulgar Customs, Ceremonies, and Superstitions". Includes sections on Sorcery and Witchcraft, Ghosts and Apparitions, The Moon, Charms, and much more. John Brand (1744–1806) was secretary of the Society of Antiquaries and an English clergyman. "This mighty work laid the foundations for a science of folklore, and became a landmark in the history of English thought" (Dorson, The British Folklorists, p. 17).
8vo. Original half calf binding with marbled boards and marbled page edges on all sides. Spines feature beautifully elaborate gilt designs and raised bands, along with gilt lettering. Corners slightly bumped on all volumes, edges slightly shelf worn on all volumes. Slight rubbing to boards. Pastedown and flyleaf of all volumes contain previous owners' armorial bookplates. Some age related toning to internal pages, but otherwise clean and unmarked in all volumes. Binding in all volumes is tight. Silk bookmark in all volumes. Overall a very handsome set in very good + condition.
