Stridtbeckh, Christian (fl. circa 1700) & Valentin Alberti (1635-1697) De Sagis, sive Foeminis, Commercium cum Malo Spiritu Habentibus. Quarto, A-F4, G2, illustrated with a large engraving depicting Attila the Hun being attacked by a "Fanatica Mulier," who advances on Attila and his men across a river on horseback, barefoot and stripped to the waist, the text quotes a story attributed to Bede; text in Latin with some limited use of German, Hebrew, Greek, etc.; disbound, corners dog-eared, inner gutter pierced with multiple holes from previous sewing, pages toned, some creasing and bottom corner loss to title; rare, no copies of this edition at auction, 7 5/8 x 6 in. Leipzig: Fleischer, [1690].

 

First edition. In this dissertation overseen by the Lutheran philosopher and theologian Alberti, Stridtbeckh treats the subject of witchcraft, the existence of various types of evil women, and whether they may have commerce with the devil. He also writes that Joan of Arc was not a witch, but a hero, and that the woman who attacked Attila the Hun was similar to an Amazon, but also did not seem to be a witch.