Zentralblatt für Okkultismus. Monatsschrift zur Erforschung der gesamten Geheimwissenschaften. IV. Jahrgang 1910 / 1911; (Volume IV, issues no. 1 - 12 ).
Leipzig: Max Altmann, 1911 [ 1910 / 1911 ]. First Edition. Hardcover. Small quarto. Bound periodical. 768pp. Quarter cloth with papered boards. Index. 12 issues of this scarce German language Occult periodical. The early years of the twentieth century witnessed the foundation of a number of occult publishing companies in Germany and Austria, the majority of which were focussed on particular topics like Theosophy or Astrology. In contrast, in July 1907 a publisher named Max Altmann released the first issue of a broad-ranging journal that covered all aspects of occultism, with essays not just on Astrology and Theosophy, but also on the Theory and Practice of Magic, on Spiritualism, on Magnetism and Alternative Health, on Rosicrucianism, Alchemy, Eastern Religion, Psychology, etc. etc. The journal was titled "Zentralblatt für Okkultismus. Monatsschrift zur Erforschung der gesamten Geheimwissenschaften" ("The Central Paper for Occultism. The Monthly Review for the Study of the Entire Secret Sciences)." Contributors to the journal included the now-famous author Franz Hartmann (1838 - 1912), a then-well known German astrologer, teacher, Theosophist: Friedrich ("Sindbad") Schwickert (1857 -1930), and Dr. Friedrich Wehofer ("Feerhow"), a Viennese general practitioner and prominent author and editor of texts on Animal Magnetism and 'Odic Force.' One of the journal's most regular contributors was D. Georgiewitz-Weitzer (1873-1949), who wrote under his own name and the pseudonym G. W. Surya. Georgiewitz-Weitzer, published numerous essays on alchemy, rosicrucianism, and occult medicine in the Zentralblatt für Okkultismus, and also edited the journal from July 1909 to June 1914. He was by all accounts a fascinating individual, a friend of Max Valier (the Austrian pioneer of rocketry, who also had the dubious distinction of being the first person to be accidentally killed by a liquid-fueled rocket), and many others of prominence in diverse fields. More importantly, from the point of view of occult studies, he is one of the few twentieth century individuals who is seriously claimed to have succeeded in achieving physical transmutation and producing alchemical gold. AS noted, this volume comprises Volume IV, issues no. 1 - 12 (1911-1912). Binding rather worn and a little shabby with rubbing and bumping to edges and points and a few tiny tears, lightly chafed at head and tail of spine and points. Contemporary bookshop stamp on title page, paper a little browned, but generally quite clean internally with just a few scattered red pencil marks to text. Overall a sound about VG copy. Item #34704
Price: $175.00