Item #61063 Foundation Letters and Teachings. Brother XII, Brother Twelve: pseud of Edward Arthur Wilson.

Foundation Letters and Teachings.

Akron, Ohio: Sun Publishing Co., 1927. First Edition. Hardcover, Small Octavo. xviii + 190 pp (plus 4 pp adverts and a separate detachable membership application for "The Aquarian Foundation" at the rear). Original navy blue cloth with gold lettering on front board. An unusual work by "Brother Twelve," that is Edward Arthur Wilson (1878 - c.1934), the English born occultist whose organisation the "The Aquarian Foundation" founded a commune in British Columbia, Canada, in 1927. Wilson claimed to be the twelfth member (thus "Brother Twelve") of a secret occult fraternity that strongly echoed Blavatsky's "Hidden Masters" whose role was to guide human evolution. At its height the Foundation attracted several thousand members, but the group fell apart after a number of court cases alleging financial impropriety, sexual misconduct, etc. A second colony, the "City of Refuge," is said to have been run like a virtual prison camp by Wilson and his sadistic mistress, and it too fell apart, again under allegations of theft, megalomania, and "magical warfare." "Foundation Letters and Teachings" is just that - a collection of teachings, letters, etc., drawing heavily on Theosophy, which outline the core beliefs, aims etc. of "The Aquarian Foundation," founded in the same years as the first commune, which it was clearly intended to promote. The detachable membership application at the rear is present. Boards lightly rubbed at the head and tail of the spine and the points, a few light marks to covers. Previous owner's name and details on front free endpaper. Inside front hinge cracked but holding firm. Endpapers toned as always. Still a solid, about VG copy of a scarce work. Item #61063

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