Ancient Cures, Charms, and Usages of Ireland: Contributions to Irish Lore
Lady Wilde
1890
Ward and Downey
First Edition
5.8 x 8"
Description:
First Edition. Written near the end of her life, it records the herbal remedies, charms and healing practices of rural Ireland, at a time when a firm belief in the supernatural was still bound up with the art of healing, as well as the customs and usages that went with them. Lady Wilde collected much of her material from the Irish-speaking countryside and set it down before this knowledge of “mystic medicine” disappeared, and the book is now a valued source for Irish folklore and the history of folk medicine. Some interesting pieces include cures for A Bite from a Mad Dog, Suspected Witchcraft and removing warts. Later chapters include peasant fairy tales, superstitions, charms and even Leprechauns. Very rare with few institutional holdings. Lady Wilde was the mother of Oscar Wilde.
Condition:
Very Good Condition. Red cloth with gilt decorative lettering to upper board. Binding is firm. Front hinge is lightly fragile. Ex libris to inside front board and small label to inside rear cover. Decorated end papers. Stamp to p.256 and title page. Contents are lightly spotted. Boards are good with light bumping to edges and fraying to spine ends. Light stamp to both boards. Light marking to spine tail.
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Glossary
Fine - Exceptionally well-preserved with minimal signs of wear.
Very Good - A broad term indicating the absence of major flaws, though there may be several minor ones, typically attributed to the book's age. Nonetheless, it remains a respectable copy.
Good - Signifying a slightly less than ideal condition with some notable flaws, which will be elaborated upon in condition report.
Fair - Book may demand some attention but is still a desirable reading copy.
Poor - Denoting a very poor condition, potentially with significant missing parts, and possibly incompleteness.
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