This book begins with the words Noli me tangere - "Don't touch me." What prompts, of course, to do the opposite. Take it in hand. To uncover. Examine the watercolors contained within. Be surprised.
The full Latin name Compendium rarissimum totius Artis Magicae sistematisatae per celeberrimos Artis hujus Magistros translates roughly as "A rare collection of examples of magical art from the most famous masters of this art."
The 18th century rarity contains more than 30 drawings depicting various demons that spew fire and snakes, engage in necromancy, and show severed human limbs. In general, as warned: "Do not touch." Although there are also quite cute creatures: with the ears of a hare, a leopard's face, a body in scales and the legs of some very large bird.
The book is written in German and Latin and was published in about 1775, although an unknown author may have tried to pass it off as an older edition, indicating the year 1057 in the title of the page.
Promotional video:
