Item #61710 The Esoteric Teaching of the Gnostics. R. Frances SWINEY.
The Esoteric Teaching of the Gnostics.
The Esoteric Teaching of the Gnostics.

The Esoteric Teaching of the Gnostics.

London: Yellon, Williams & Co. Ltd., 1909. First edition. Hardcover. Octavo. xii + 88pp. Green cloth with gilt title, etc. to spine and front cover, black rules on front cover, 4 color plates. Rosa Frances Emily Swiney, née Biggs, (1847 – 1922) was an early British feminist, author, suffragist and theosophist. Swiney's proto-feminist beliefs permeated her life, and she was clearly drawn to the Gnostics on account of their inclusion of a divine female. Her exploration of Gnosticism appears to be informed by the translations of Mead, whom she cites on occassion. Interestingly the work includes four colour "Spirit Drawings ... done in the early part of the year 1908 by a woman under spirit control" which she felt to be "wonderfully and accurately descriptive .... of the text of this treatise." With the bookplate of "The Sanctuary", Basil St., Knightsbridge on the front pastedown. "The Sanctuary" was the "place of worship" and teaching used by episcopus vagans Arnold Harris Mathew (1852 – 1919), the founder and first bishop of the Old Catholic Church in the United Kingdom. Cloth a bit rubbed and lightly discoloured, spine lightly-faded with the remains of a paper shelf label at its foot, spine ends lightly chipped, scattered browning and foxing, else a tight, unmarked about VG copy. (no dust jacket issued). Was $135.00. Item #61710

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