Witchcraft in America Today by Emile C. Schurmacher
Witchcraft in America Today is a book by Emile C. Schurmacher (1903–1976), an author from North Salem, New York.
The witch in the cover art is depicted with several of the stereotypical insignia, like red hair, black coat, pointed hat, and steaming cauldron – but no black cat familiar. Still, there’s a feline present: the title is set in yellow Pussycat. This amorphous face was drawn by Charles Papirtis for Photo-Lettering. Two of its three all-caps styles, Black and Swirl, were shown in their 1969 Alphabet Yearbook.
From the back cover:
In expensive Park Avenue apartments and Harlem tenements, in the farms of Pennsylvania and the swamps of Florida, people are casting spells, preparing charms, burning magic candles, and attending nude Black Masses.
Witchcraft in America Today is a fascinating survey of the varieties of magic currently being practiced, from the black Pope of San Francisco to the swinging coven of politically prominent people in Washington, D.C.
What are their goals? What powers do they possess? Why are they increasing in number? The answers—startling, strange and frightening—are all here in Witchcraft in America Today.
2 Comments on “Witchcraft in America Today by Emile C. Schurmacher”
I’ve had this one in my drafts forever, but you beat me to it! There are a whole series of books published in the Paperback Library Occult series that use Papirtis Pussycat. I haven’t been able to identify the illustrator or designer, but looks like they were all likely done by the same person. Beautiful covers.
Oh, that’s great! Thanks, Robert.