Talisman
3 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Talisman. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
An Encyclopaedia of Occultism (1920)
An inanimate object which is supposed to possess a supernatural capacity of conferring benefits or powers in contradistinction to the amulet (q.v.), the purpose of which is to ward off evil. It was usually a disc of metal or stone engraved with astrological or magical figures. Talismans were common in ancient Egypt and Babylon. The virtues of astrological talismans were as follows: The astrological figure of Mercury , engraven upon silver, which is the corresponding metal, and according to the prescribed rites, gave success in Merchandise; that of Mars gave victory to the soldier; that of Venus, beauty, and so of the rest. All such talismans likewise are more powerful in the hour of their planet's ascendency. There are three general varieties of these potent charms : 1. The astronomical, having the characters of the heavenly signs or constellations. 2. The magical, with extraordinary figures, superstitious words, or the names of angels. 3. The mixed, engraven with celestial signs and barbarous words. To these, Fosbrook, in his Encyclopædia of Antiquities, adds two others :-4. The sigilla planetarum, composed of Hebrew numeral letters, used by astrologers and fortunetellers; and 5. Hebrew names and characters. As an example of the most powerful of the latter, may be mentioned the sacred name of Jehovah. The famous tephillin or phylacteries, used in Jewish devotion, and which were bound on the head, the arm, and the hand, may be regarded as talismans, and they were the subject of many traditional ceremonies. We may also mention the mezuzoth or schedules for door-posts, and another article of this description mentioned in the following quotation from the
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a consecrated object or charm supposed to have supernatural influence over the bearer, especially in averting disease or sudden death. Under different forms and names the talisman may be traced through ancient and medieval history. The Egyptians carried images of their gods and sacred animals, especially the ibis and the scarabaeus. The Hebrews made broad their phylacteries and inscribed thereon passages from the Old Testament. Even the Greeks carried tablets bearing magic words copied from the inscriptions on the feet, the girdle, and the crown of the statue of Artemis at Ephesus. The Romans carried charms by little chains, no doubt the prototype of the modern necklace. The Arabians and Turks still place confidence in the power of sentences from the Koran to avert misfortune. In the Middle Ages the astrologers engraved heavenly signs and other figures and characters on stone and metal for the use of the superstitious. It was important that the talisman be made at the right astronomical moment, as when the proper star was in the ascendant. Scott weaves the belief into his medieval tale of The Talisman.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a species of charm, consisting of a figure engraved on metal or stone when two planets are in conjunction, or when a star is at its culminating point, and supposed to exert some protective influence over the wearer of it. The terms talisman and amulet are often considered nearly synonymous, but the proper distinctive peculiarity of the former is its astrological character. A species of talisman which has acquired considerable celebrity is the abraxas. A species of talisman at present in use in Asia is a piece of paper on which the names of the Seven Sleepers and their dog Kitmer are inscribed. Pasted on the walls of houses, it is believed to be a protection against ghosts and demons. Phylacteries were used as talismans; and in Christian Byzantium phylacteries were made bearing the figure of Solomon, the compeller of demons. See ASTROLOGY: DIVINATION: INCANTATION: MAGIC. TALKING MACHINE. See GRAMO- PHONE.