The Blue Island: Experiences of a New Arrival; Recorded by Pardoe Woodman & Estelle Stead. Prefatory note by Arthur Conan Doyle
London: Hutchinson, ND [1922]. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. 158pp. + 40pp. adverts. Original blue cloth lettered in gold on spine. B/w frontis. William Thomas Stead (1849 - 1912) was a remarkable English journalist, editor, and social reformer, with a profound belief in the occult and spiritualism. This volume, published by his daughter, Estelle Stead, 10 years after Stead's death on board the Titanic, is the record of Stead's after-death communication through medium Pardoe Woodman via "automatic writing". In it, Stead describes his death at sea, which he himself is said to have predicted - and discusses the nature of the after-life. A letter to Estelle Stead from Arthur Conan Doyle discussing the content, acts as a Preface. From the collection of Dr. M. H. Coleman, although not marked as such. A bit of light flecking to fore-edge upper board, spine ends and corners a bit bruised and chafed, light crease to spine, page-edges and endpapers lightly foxed & browned, owner's name on front pastedown, a few spots of browning to first leaves, else a tight & unmarked VG copy (no dust jacket). Scarce. Item #52938
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