Rare acquisition brings infamous witch-hunting handbook to the University of Melbourne

A rare 1494 edition of one of the most infamous books ever written, the Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of Witches), has been acquired by the University of Melbourne’s Archives and Special Collections, becoming the earliest edition printed by renowned Nuremberg printer Anton Koberger housed in an Australian public collection.

Written in Latin by Dominican friar, theologian, and inquisitor Heinrich Kramer in 1486, the Malleus Maleficarum is the first printed guide for witch-hunters and a catalyst for the explosion of witch trials across early modern Europe.

The book argues for the existence of witchcraft, details the supposed powers of witches and provides instructions for conducting witch trials. The acquired edition was printed in 1494 by Anton Koberger, 11 years after he published the Nuremberg Bible.

Albrecht Dürer, Witch riding backwards on a goat, c. 1500, engraving, 12.2 x 7.8 cm (sheet). 1959.2088, gift of Dr J. Orde Poynton 1959, Baillieu Library Print Collection, University of Melbourne.

Faculty of Arts academic, Dr Charlotte Millar, who teaches the history subject Witch-Hunting in European Societies alongside Associate Professor Jenny Spinks, said the acquisition will enrich both research and teaching.

“The Malleus Maleficarum is the most important book for understanding the witch-hunts of the early modern period—hunts that led to the torture and execution of almost 50,000 men and women in Europe,” Dr Millar said.

“This graphic manual for how to entice confessions from vulnerable women is taught across multiple History subjects. The acquisition will allow students hands-on access to one of the most influential books of the fifteenth century.”

University of Melbourne Rare Books Curator Susan Millard, said the volume adds to the University’s extremely rare and significant collection of incunables, which are books published before 1500 prior to the rapid proliferation of printed book editions in the sixteenth century.

“Owning a Koberger edition is particularly significant, especially for Australia,” Ms Millard said. “This is an important addition to our collection of books from his influential publication house.

“The volume serves as an exceptional example of 15^th century book production. The Gothic type, double‑column layout and original binding collectively illustrate craftsmanship of the time. The book offers exciting learning opportunities across subjects including history, typography, bookbinding, and the material life of texts” Ms Millard said.

1494 edition of the Malleus Maleficarum, published by Nuremberg printer Anton Koberger and featuring its original 15th-century binding. Photography by Chelsea Harris.

Acting Associate Director, Archives and Special Collections, Jon Buckingham, said the acquisition was a significant addition to the University’s celebrated Special Collections.

“Our team’s mission is to ensure important early texts like the Malleus Maleficarum are preserved and available for students, scholars and the community,” Mr Buckingham said. “We’re excited that this latest acquisition will be housed with the rest of the Special Collections in a new, state-of-the-art storage environment worthy of their value and significance”.

The Malleus Maleficarum will be on display, as part of Archives and Special Collections’ Spotlight series program on 10 September.

The book was acquired through the Pitt Bequest, a fund established to support the purchase of books for the Baillieu Library to advance the teaching of history at the University.