Practical Lessons in Hypnotism and Magnetism; Giving the only simple and practical course in Hypnotism and Vital Magnetism which starts the student or practitioner out upon a plain, common sense basis--prepared especially for self-instruction
Chicago, IL: Frederick J. Drake and Company, 1902. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. 266pp. Red cloth illustrated in gilt and black, with gilt title, etc. to spine and upper board, b&w photographs, index. An early edition of one of many volumes 'by' Lauron William de Laurence (1868 - 1936), renowned book pirate, plagiarist, and publisher of occult literature. While this volume is certainly similar to De Laurence's "Hypnotism, A Complete System of Method Application and Use" (1900) it is a a separate work, and considerably longer. De Laurence was notorious for taking other people's works and reissuing them under his own name (sometimes re-titling them in the process as he did with this one). Despite his rogueish eccentricities de Laurence played an important part in the occult history of the USA: he was a pioneer in selling occult books and supplies by mail order, and the cheap "Pow Wow" books and other books of simple magic which he published were surprisingly well received, and he is quite revered in some quarters. Cloth a bit darkened and rubbed overall, corners and spine ends bruised and chafed, all extremities lightly chafed, page edges and endpapers darkened, front endpapers split slightly at inner hinge and hinge is holding well though it is slightly loose, pages browned, text unmarked. Overall a tight clean near VG copy. Item #57708
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