Witchcraft Illustrated 1892 Mrs. Henrietta D. Kimball - Image via WorthPoint
Vintage Occult & Gothic Book Covers
Meaning "Hidden" The Occult has inspired volumes of written esoteric works these various dark themes have been illustrated by Artists for millennium'. Since the advent of the printing press and even more recently the pulp paper back, Occult themed horror, detective, spell books and even Grimoire's have been beautifully illustrated and repressed.
Vintage occult and gothic book covers are a distinct and influential aspect of the history of horror and fantasy literature. These covers, which often feature striking and evocative images that capture the mood and themes of the works they represent, have played a significant role in shaping the public's perception of these genres.
One of the earliest examples of this type of cover design can be traced back to the pulp magazines of the early 20th century, which featured lurid and sensationalist covers that were designed to appeal to readers' fascination with the supernatural and the macabre. These covers often depicted supernatural or horror-themed imagery, such as monsters, ghosts, and otherworldly creatures, and were instrumental in establishing the visual aesthetic that has come to be associated with horror and fantasy literature.
Here we have chosen a few of our favorite intersections of Occult text and inspired Art; the Occult book cover:
THE OLD BOOK OF MAGIC: History, Rites - De Laurence, 1st Ed 1918 image via Black Cat Caboodle
Sir Walter Scott's Demonology and Witchcraft Library First published in 1830
The Book of Lies Aleister Crowley Originally published in 1913
How to Speak with The Dead A Practical handbook A guide to mediumship and telepathy. Originally Published in 1918 - Image via Pinterest
The Great Book Of Magical Art, Hindu Magic And Indian Occultism - Image via Black Cat Caboodle
The Handbook of Cartomancy: Fortune-Telling and Occult Divination Grand Orient London: William Rider, Ltd., 1886. Image via Pinterest available as a full text on Google
A Manual of Occultism Sepharial originally publish in 1911 - This unique volume covers many facets of the wonderful world of the occult
First Edition work on the History of the Devil and Evil filled with Illustrations - The History of the Devil and the Idea of Evil From the Earliest Times to the Present Day. BY: CARUS, Dr. Paul 1900 Image via quickerthantheeye.com
The Vision & The Voice - Aleister Crowley image via blaqmercury.tumblr.com
The All-Seeing Eye by the distinguished Manly P. Hall image via blaqmercury.tumblr.com
The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Demonology 1974 Image via cvltnation.com Amazon A full volume on witchcraft and demonology with illustrations.
The Mystery & Magic of the Occult - Image via pinterest.com/pin/512003051380362303/
Modern Occult Books & Publishers
Occult books from ixaxaar.com starting with Liber Falxifer - Book - The Book of the Left-Handed Reaper- by N.A-A.218
Plants of the Devil examines the history and magic of herbs associated with Satan https://threehandspress.com/shop/plants-of-the-devil/ The premier publisher of contemporary occultism and metaphysica, representing the new generation of esoteric scholars, artists and practitioners.
Daemonologie Book design by William Kiesel - Image via Ouroboros Press
Goetic Grimoire Cover artwork by Nephilim's Robert Cook in gold foil stamping Occult Book Publishing Nephilim Press
The Book of Smokeless Fire By S. Ben Qayin mirrors that of Lovecraft's, "Necronomicon" Image via Norot Robert W. Cook
Occult Pulp and Paperbacks
The 1970s produced a rich array of cheap paperback horror and Occult books. This vastly expanded market sprouted an almost inexhaustible list of titles with illustrated cover Art used to shock and attract a reader quickly. In addition to the paperback works, the 1960s-70s also saw the emergence of a number of occult-themed magazines and newsletters, such as "The Occult Observer" and "The Magical Blend," which helped to spread interest in the occult and alternative spiritualities. These publications often featured articles on topics such as astrology, tarot, and the paranormal, and helped to fuel the fascination with the supernatural that characterized the decade.
The Mark of Satan - A Modern Novel of Gothic Horror. Image via CvltNation
Sex and Satanism Book cover Image via CvltNation
"The Colour Out of Space" is a science fiction/horror short story by American author H. P. Lovecraft, originally written in March 1927. This work has been adapted to the paperback and recently on firm
Witchcraft monthly magazine from the 1970s - Image via vaultofevil.proboards.com
Possession and Exorcism Traugott K. Oesterreich Published by Causeway Books - image via Pinterest
Witchcraft, Magic, and the Supernatural: The Weird World of the Unknown by Douglas Hill et al. image via Patheos
Witches and Their Craft Ronald Seth, 1970 paperback image via Pinterest
The Torturer - The Horror Occult paperback became hugely popular after Rosemary's Baby was a commercial success
Art Resources
Dark Art & Craft Vintage Occult Book Cover Pinterest
CVLT Nation’s Favorite Tumblr: Vintage Occult Part 2
CVLT Nation’s Favorite Tumblr: Vintage Occult
Transcendence Works "Illumination Through the Western Mysteries" list of esoteric books
The International Association for the Preservation of Spiritualist and Occult Periodicals
Unheard of Curiosities: Rare Books on the Occult and Esoteric Sciences
Rare Occult Books for sale on Berkelouw Books Berrima NSW
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