Le Petit Albert — Translated, Edited & Introduced by Paul Summers Young

Le Petit Albert, French grimoire, folk magic

One of the most legendary and influential grimoires of eighteenth-century France, Le Petit Albert occupies a unique place in the history of folk magic, practical sorcery, and occult tradition. Long associated with village cunning folk, itinerant booksellers, and whispered tales of forbidden knowledge, this celebrated text became synonymous with magic throughout France and later across the French colonies of North America and the Caribbean.

Translated, edited, and introduced by Paul Summers Young, this edition is based on the expanded 1752 Lyon version, regarded as the definitive form of the text. Its pages preserve an extraordinary blend of practical household wisdom, herbal lore, Paracelsian philosophy, and magical operations that reflect the everyday concerns of ordinary people as much as the mysteries of the occult.

Readers will discover traditional recipes and charms for prosperity, protection, fishing, and domestic harmony alongside some of the most enduring symbols of Western magical folklore, including the legendary Hand of Glory and the mysterious Mandrake. These iconic chapters helped cement Le Petit Albert as one of the foundational texts of European folk magic and ensured its lasting influence on New World magical traditions.

Equal parts grimoire, household manual, and cultural artifact, Le Petit Albert offers a fascinating glimpse into the magical worldview of the eighteenth century while remaining an essential volume for collectors of historical occult literature.

Premium Edition Details

• Hardcover bound in blue Fedrigoni Imitlin

• Measures 100 × 160 mm

• 120 g black endpapers

• Printed on 115 g wood-free, age-resistant Munken Premium Cream paper

• Sewn book block

• Black ribbon marker and headbands

• Gilded front cover