The Biography of Satan or A historical exposition of the devil and his fiery dominions disclosing the oriental origin of the belief in a devil and future endless punishment also an explanation of the pagan origin of the scriptural terms bottomless pit lake of fire and brimstone chains of darkness casting out devils worm that never dieth etc.
Chicago IL: Religio-Philosophical Publishing Co., 1880. "Twelfth Edition". Softcover. Small octavo. 123pp + 5pp adverts. Original pale blue wrappers with black lettering, staple bound. Apparently first published in 1865 this is an early reprint of the first published work of Kersey Graves (1813-1883), a Quaker, spiritualist, and free thinker, who was better known as the author of "The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors" (1875). The book is essentially an examination of the idea of Christian ideas of the devil and the doctrine of eternal punishment, which the author condemns as inhumane, and traces back to pre-Christian myths and religious beliefs. Very few early printings of "The Biography of Satan" exist thus we are uncertain if it is actually the "Twelfth Edition" as stated on the title page or whether it was previously published under a different title (and perhaps a pseudonym) or whether the "Twelfth Edition" was simply a publisher's ploy to make the book out to be a "best seller." It certainly is uncommon, with Worldcat listing no copies prior to the 1924 Eckler "4th edition" which might also suggest that the book had been the subject of some sort of campaign of suppression. Covers a bit rubbed and darkened, some chipping and tears to lower spine and edges, adhesive circle rear cover, pages toned. Overall a clean VG copy of this rare fragile work. Item #59561
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