Der lange verborgene Schatz und Haus = Freund, ober getreuer und Christlicher Unterricht für Jedermann, enthaltend Wunderbare und erprobte Mittel und Künste, für die Gebrechen der Menschen und am Vieh. Aus den arabisischen Schriften des weisen Alchymisten, Omar Arey, Emir Chemis Tschasmir, ins Deutsche ubersetzt und mit noch vielen andern Kunsten vermehrt

Gedruckt in Pennsylvanien [Harrisburg]: Publisher not identified, 1837. Herausgegeben von T.S----s [First Edition printed by T. F. Scheffer]. Hardcover. Very Good+. Herausgegeben von T.S----s [First Edition printed by T. F. Scheffer]. Hardcover. Written by John George Hohman, The Long Hidden Friend first appeared in 1820 in German as Der Lange Verborgene Freund, appearing later in English as Pow-Wows; or, Long Lost Friend. It is as a result of this book that the Dutch Pennsylvania tradition of folk-magic known as "Pow-Wow" was established. "Pow-Wows" -- added to the third English-language edition -- brings to mind the 19th century American spiritualist movement, a religious revival in which trance mediums consulted the ghosts of ancestral and deceased relatives for advice. Originally an Anglo-Saxon offshoot of Protestant Christianity, spiritualism found ready acceptance among African-American slaves because it accorded with African religious beliefs regarding the spirits of the dead. It is a fascinating collection of traditional European folk-magical formulas for a wide range of spells, simple rituals, charms, talismans, bindings, prayers, benedictions, magical folk-healing, recipes and remedies for humans and animals as well as various non-magical remedies for matters of rural and domestic life." An extremely important collection of early American, German immigrant folk magick transcends both Christian and folk religious aspects of Pennsylvania life in the 19th century. This a true evolved American grimoire. This copy of "Lange Verborgene Freunde" is seemingly a bit different. [Translated title: The Long Hidden Treasure and House Friend, and faithful and Christian instruction for everyone. : Containing wonderful and tried-and-tested means and arts for the ailments of people and livestock. / From the Arabic writings of the wise alchemist Omar Arey, Emir Chemir Tschasmir, translated into German and augmented with many other arts.] This edition of the LVF is compiled sources from both Hohman's seminal work and the spurious works of Albertus Magnus, intesecting with the major influences of the magical arts from the Middle East and a confounded exoticism. Both the Arabic attributions are missing from the English-language editions of the book making this book a blend of occultism and quasi-scientific theory quite popular among mid-19th century sex-magicians, including the notorious African-American practitioner Paschal Beverly Randolph. The first edition of this book was first printed in 1837, in Skippacksville, Pa. Theodore Frederick Scheffer (1813-1883) was a native of Germany and as an apprentice learned the printer’s trade in Gustav Peters' firm. Peters died in 1847, and Scheffer inherited all the printing equipment. By 1856 Theo. F. Scheffer was by himself in the printing and book selling business. In 1863 Scheffer bought the Harrisburg building at 21 S. Second Street. Scheffer's firm which did bookbinding, publishing, printing, bookselling and engraving remained in this building until well after Scheffer's 1883 death. This is an rare edition imprint reveals the transition between two printing houses and is the first printed/attributed by Scheffer, and a great example of American imprint history. About 5 US institutions showing holdings for this particular copy in OCLC. Shaken and loose, but intact. Chipping and rubbing, shelf/edgewear and exposure to boards/spine, consistent foxing throughout, else tight, bright, and unmarred. Evidence of use. Quarter calf over mottled boards. 8vo. 123pp.+index. Former owner autograph on fep.