Dei Ventriloqui Memoria Indiritta All’Ateneo Di Venezia.
Milan, A. Fontana 1831.
8vo (171 x 104 mm.). [ii blank], [vi], 48p.
Original printed brown wrappers reusing printed waste of another Fontana publication (Paganini’s 1827 large octavo Notizia Compendiata di tutte le acque minerali e bagni d’Italia); base of spine chipped), fleuron borders frame the letterpress title (front) and imprint (rear).
First Edition: ON THE ORIGINS OF VENTRILOQUISM AS AN OCCULT PRACTICE. Speranza addresses ventriloquism and ancient oracles, including the Witch of Endor and the Delphic Pythia. HE THEN CONSIDERS ITS ROLE IN EARLY MODERN DEMONIC POSSESSION, WITCHCRAFT AND NECROMANCY. He praises the virtuous practitioners who help expose these frauds and closes with a survey of medical opinions on the art, from Hippocrates to the 19th century. I have not found a copy in a U.S. collection. The other 1831 printing is at Penn (31p., imprint “Italia”). In good condition (occasional pale spotting), many uncut edges, contemporary title inscription of Pietro Staurenghi.
Item #12624Price: $875.00