Title: Curiosités théologiques. Par un bibliophile [i.e. Pierre Gustave Brunet].
Author: Gustave Brunet
Publisher: A. Delahays, 1861

🔸 Description

Curiosités théologiques is a remarkable 19th-century bibliographic and critical work dedicated to the strangest, rarest, and most controversial writings related to religion, belief, and superstition. Written under the guise of “un bibliophile,” this book offers a meticulous exploration of theological oddities drawn from ancient and modern sources alike.

The content spans a wide range of subjects, including apocryphal stories of the Old Testament, legends and miracles, religious superstitions, sacramental practices, eccentric preachers, and singular beliefs held across cultures and eras. The author examines perspectives from Brahmins, Buddhists, Africans, Mohammedans, Rabbis, Mormons, and visionaries, as well as themes related to the Devil, the afterlife, and religious texts notable for their strangeness.

Particularly noted by bibliographers (including Caillet), the third section of the book (pp. 301–352) is considered especially valuable for its analysis of rare and bizarre religious works, making this volume a key reference for collectors of occult, theological, and esoteric literature.

A fascinating witness to 19th-century scholarly curiosity and critical thought, this book stands at the crossroads of religion, folklore, and early comparative anthropology.

🔸 Condition

Book in fair antique condition, consistent with age and use.
- Original cover shows visible wear, creases, and edge damage
- Binding remains intact
- Pages are complete and readable
Possible marginal notes, underlining, or light annotations
No missing pages or defects affecting the integrity of the text.

🪶 Collector’s Note
Original 19th-century works such as Curiosités théologiques are increasingly difficult to find, particularly in complete and readable condition. This volume is highly regarded among collectors of occult literature, theological curiosa, and rare religious studies, offering a window into forgotten beliefs and the intellectual climate of its time. A genuine piece of historical esoteric scholarship, long out of print.

🔸 Description

Rare and authentic 19th-century French astronomy manual, titled Manuel d’Astronomie, ou Traité Élémentaire de cette Science dans l’état actuel de nos connaissances.
Published in Paris around 1827, this work belongs to the renowned Roret encyclopedic collection, designed to popularize scientific knowledge during the early modern era.

Authored by Charles-François Bailly de Merlieux (1800–1862), lawyer turned bookseller and prolific scientific vulgarizer, this manual offers a structured and accessible overview of astronomical principles as understood in the early 19th century.

The book is richly illustrated with folding engraved plates, including:
- Solar system diagrams
- Boreal planisphere
- Astronomical instruments
-Geometrical constructions related to celestial mechanics

These plates reflect the pedagogical approach of the period, combining observation, geometry, and cosmology in a tangible and visual manner.

A genuine working manual from its time, bearing the marks of age and use, this volume stands as a compelling artifact of early scientific education and historical astronomy.

🔸 Bibliographic Details

Author: Charles-François Bailly de Merlieux
Publisher: Librairie encyclopédique Roret, Paris
Printer: Imprimerie Crapelet
Year: c. 1827 (undated)
Language: French
Format: In-12
Size: 15.5 × 9.5 cm
Pages: 296 pages (complete)
Illustrations: 4 folding plates (complete)
Weight: approx. 200 g

🔸 Condition

Modest but complete copy, consistent with its age:

- Worn original paper cover, split joints
- Foxing throughout
- Signs of past moisture on upper margins (no loss of text)
- Ink marks on plate n°1, with small tears
- Possible missing title page
- No missing pages
- Binding remains intact

Overall good and honest condition for a scientific manual over 190 years old.

🪶 Collector’s Note
Original scientific manuals of this kind are increasingly scarce, especially with all folding plates present.
A true witness of early modern astronomy, ideal for collectors of antique science books, cosmology, astrology, or historical instruments of knowledge.

From my very rare book collection — long out of print and increasingly difficult to find.

A captivating early-20th-century manual on the art of divination, offering one of the most accessible and influential introductions to French cartomancy of its time.
Published by the Parisian editor A.-L. Guyot, this rare booklet belongs to the inexpensive esoteric collections sold at newsstands and bookshops at the turn of the century—yet very few copies survived in collectible condition.

Richly illustrated on the cover, the book explores the origins and methods of fortune telling with cards, blending practical instruction with occult tradition. It examines the teachings of Etteilla, the legacy of Mademoiselle Lenormand, the symbolic structures of Egyptian Tarot, and the mystical narratives that shaped modern divination in France.

Divided into thematic chapters, it covers subjects such as the history of card reading, the interpretation of suits and spreads, the role of intuition, biographies of famous seers, and the connection between Tarot, the Book of Thoth, and the Bohemian (Romani) esoteric tradition.

🔹 Title: L’Art de Tirer les Cartes
🔹 Author: (Attributed) — Collection A.-L. Guyot
🔹 Publisher: A.-L. Guyot, 20 Rue des Petits-Champs, Paris
🔹 Year: Early 1900s (c.1900–1910)
🔹 Dimensions: approx. 18 × 12 cm
🔹 Pages: Complete
🔹 Language: French
🔹 Binding: Original softcover with illustrated chromolithographed wrapper
🔹 Condition: Adhesive marks and wear to the cover margins; light foxing on some pages; overall solid and remarkably well-preserved for a booklet of 120+ years (as pictured)

All my books are extremely rare and out of print, a great opportunity to own ancient occult wisdom which is hard to find these days.

🪶 Collector’s Note

A beautiful survivor from the early 1900s, this rare Guyot edition captures the birth of modern cartomancy through Lenormand, Etteilla, and the Egyptian Tarot revival. A charming, fragile, and culturally important manual—nearly impossible to find today in complete condition. A treasure for any Tarot or esoteric library.

🔸 Description (structured)

🔸 Title: L’Avenir Dévoilé par les Cartes
🔸 Author / Pseudonym: Astaroth
🔸 Publisher: La Renaissance du Livre
🔸 Place of publication: Paris
🔸 Estimated year: c. 1881 (late 19th century)
🔸 Language: French
🔸 Pages: 172 pages
🔸 Format: Softcover booklet
🔸 Size: Approx. 18 × 12 cm
🔸 Illustrations: Black & white illustrations of playing cards, spreads, and divinatory layouts
🔸 Subject: Cartomancy, divination by playing cards, fortune telling methods, symbolic interpretation

This rare French occult manual explores divination through playing cards, detailing the meanings of suits, court cards, reversed positions, and various traditional spreads.
The book includes explanations of the Grand Jeu, predictive techniques, symbolic readings, and even dream interpretation through cards.

Based on bibliographic references and advertised titles listed on the back cover, the book is generally dated to around 1881, though some stylistic elements suggest it may have been printed slightly later, possibly in the early 20th century. No explicit publication date is printed.

🔸 Condition

🔸 Book in good antique condition for its age
🔸 Noticeable wear to covers and spine, consistent with late 19th-century paper
🔸 Pages are complete and firmly attached
🔸 Foxing, edge wear, and small tears visible (see photos)
🔸 No missing pages
🔸 Text fully readable

⚠️ This book is entirely in French

🪶 Collector’s Note

A genuine and increasingly scarce cartomantic manual, L’Avenir Dévoilé par les Cartes stands as a fascinating witness to the popular occult literature of fin-de-siècle France. Published under the evocative pseudonym Astaroth, the work bridges folk divination and structured esoteric practice, reflecting a time when card reading was both a salon curiosity and a serious metaphysical pursuit.

Its illustrated spreads and practical tone make it particularly appealing to tarot historians, cartomancy collectors, and occult bibliophiles. Original copies in this condition are becoming difficult to source, especially complete and unrestored.

A beautiful opportunity to own an authentic piece of 19th-century French esoteric heritage.