The "Arch Adept" of the "First Degree," the Hindu's "Astral Bell, " the Curse, the Doom of Major General J. B. Heatherstone "The Mystery of Cloomber"
Chicago, IL: de Laurence, Scott & Co., 1910. First Edition. Hardcover, Octavo, 250 pp. Blue cloth, gilt title, etc. to spine and front cover. B&w photographs and line drawings. An extremely unusual de Laurence publication. "The Mystery of Cloomber" (to give the work its proper title) is a novel by Arthur Conan Doyle that was first published in parts in the "The Pall Mall Gazette" between September 10 and 29 1888. It was first published in book form in Britain by Ward & Downey (1895) and in the US by R. F. Fenno & Co. (1896). This is apparently a pirated edition of the work, with the pirate "editor", the notorious L. W. de Laurence, adding four black and white photographic plates and two pages of line-drawings (all of scenes in India) and replacing the title (originally simply "The Mystery of Cloomber") with a bizarre lengthy title & subtitle which is obviously designed not only to camouflage the piracy, but to present the work as one of occult interest. The new title/subtitle reads: 'The "Arch Adept" of the "First Degree," the Hindu's "Astral Bell, " the Curse, the Doom of Major General J. B. Heatherstone "The Mystery of Cloomber... A weird incident, based upon known facts and the secret mysteries of Buddhist Faith and Adeptship of the highest grade. The God of Knowledge - Advanced Chelas and Disciples. Those who in time are to obtain the Supreme Honour of Adeptship. The Accursed "Astral Bell," "The Star of India", The Murder at Terada Pass, India, Ghoolab Shah, The Thrice Blessed and Reverent One, an "Arch Adept" of the "First Degree" who Had Trodden the Higher Path of Occultism to Attain the Deeper Esoteric Work. The doom of his murderer, Major General John B. Heatherstone of the 41st Bengaless, by the Hindu Adept's Curse, The "Astral Bell" which haunted him to his death.' The publisher, Lauron William de Laurence (1868 - 1936), was renowned as a book pirate, plagiarist, and publisher of occult literature. De Laurence was notorious for taking other people's works and reissuing them under his own name. In this case he was quite restrained, merely removing Conan Doyle's name and replacing it with his initials, and claiming for himself "Editorship" of the work (whereas not a word is altered. de Laurence was also in the habit of re-titling the works he appropriated, as he has done here. Despite his roguish 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. The rarity of this volume (worldcat locates only 4 copies) suggests that despite de Laurence's subterfuge Doyle's US representatives may have spotted the volume and ensured its suppression. Previous owner's name - "Sadie E. Scott, F.R.C." (F.R.C. = Fellowship of the Rosy Cross, the Golden Dawn offshoot founded in 1915 by Arthur Edward Waite) and a small "eleven-fold cross" on the front paste-down. Spine lightly faded. A couple of tiny marks (printer's ink?) to prelims, small chip to fore-edge of frontispiece, otherwise a tight, clean, VG+ copy (no dust jacket, probably none issued). Item #60063
Sold