The first Dutch translation of Ludwig Lavater's De Spectris, lemuribus et magnis atque insolitis fragoribus, first published in Geneva in 1570, is an exceptionally rare find with only four other copies known in public libraries and having appeared only thrice on the market in the last century.
Ludwig Lavater (1527-1586), a Zurich theologian, achieved great success with his renowned "ghost book," which became a bestseller of its time. Within this book, Lavater succinctly presents the Reformed perspective on the topic of ghosts, offering readers practical guidance on interpreting and managing supernatural phenomena. Drawing from various theological arguments, Lavater asserts that such phenomena do not involve the appearance of deceased individuals but rather the devil's attempts to tempt or punish the living on behalf of God. Consequently, any form of interaction with spirits, including questioning, protective or defensive measures, and exorcisms, is strictly prohibited. Instead, those troubled by ghostly encounters are advised to engage in penance and fervently pray to God. Lavater was a preacher, and later head of the Zwinglian church at Zurich. He denied that souls or ghosts of the death could appear. If such apparitions were seen, it was the works of demons, not of the souls of the death. His work experienced wide circulation, with numerous editions published in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and translations made available in Latin, French, English, and Dutch.
With a manuscript note on the back board ("hu 60"?), the green and white bookplate of the collection Buijnsters-Smets, previously attached to the front paste-down (now loose between the front endleaves). The binding shows slight signs of wear, internally very slightly browned and water stained (not affecting the text). Otherwise in very good condition. STCN 853810273 (3 copies); USTC 1033061 (3 copies, same as STCN); Waller 1012; WorldCat 117168124, 883830908 (4 copies).