Magic continues to fascinate us, even in the midst of all our technology, as the incredible success of the Harry Potter books and movies demonstrates.

But magic has been part of human life since the darkest and most ancient times, according to archivist Gionni Di Gravio, who has unearthed a rare French manuscript about magic and talismans from the University of Newcastle’s rare books collection.

Mr DiGravio says the book, dated 1704 from the reign of the Sun King Louis XIV, places the university in a privileged position. “It’s about the making of celestial talismans, and such works are very scarce in this country. To have such a volume places us in the vanguard of the great European libraries.”

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