Traitté curieux de l'astrologie judiciaire, ou Préservatif contre l'astromantie des genethliaques [...].

8vo: [16]-272 pp. (sl. age-toned, sm. marg. damp stains, tear without loss in p. 147, foxing at the end).

Contemp. vellum, ink-titled flat spine (rubbed).

Extremely rare first edition of a work against the astromancy practiced by genethliacs, or the divination by means of the stars. By the French Cl. Pithois (1587?-1676), Protestant convert, professor of philosophy at the Academy of Sedan and librarian for the Duke of Bouillon. He is known for refusing to perform exorcism on Elisabeth of Ranfaing and attacking instead in the book "Descouverture des faux possedez" (1621) her Doctor Charles Poirot for the medecine he gave her causing convulsions and insanity.
Ref. Cp. Caillet 8705 (ed. 1646, mention of the 1st ed.). - Not in Dorbon.
Prov. Jesuit College of Sedan (contemp. ms. entry). - Jean-Baptiste Pitois, also known as J.-B. or Paul Christian (1811-1872), French historian and journalist, librarian to the "Ministère de l'Instruction publique et du culte", collaborateur of Ch. Nodier at the Arsenal Library to catalogue ancient books left unlisted since the French Revolution. It opened up his interest for occultism (ms. entry dated Paris 1839). - Blue stamp at the end of the dedication with name "Pithoys", i.e. signature of the author?. - Contemp. ms. poem written on lower pastedown.