Nineteenth Century Miracles, or Spirits and Their Work in Every Country of the Earth. A Historical Compendium.
New York: William Britten [ Lovell & Co. ], 1884. First US Edition. Hardcover. Large octavo. viii + 556pp. Decorated blue pebbled cloth, gilt and black titling and embellishments to boards and spine, beveled edges, b&w illustrations. B&w portraits plates (lacking frontispiece). Emma Hardinge Britten (1823-1899) was one of the most famous nineteenth century advocates of Spiritualism. She supposedly developed her psychic talents while employed by a secret quasi-Masonic fraternity as a medium as a child. In adulthood she became one of six founding members of the Theosophical Society, and also founded an umbrella orgnanisation for Spiritualist groups: the Spiritualists National Union. She wrote a number of books, including Ghost Land, in which she tells of her spiritualist and occult experiences and beliefs through a series of autobiographical sketches. This volume looks at the evolution of spiritualism over the globe and includes chapters on: Germany, France, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Polynesian & West India Islands, South America & Mexico, East Indies and Hindostan, Holland, Dutch Indies, Russia, Norway & Sweden etc, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Austria Belgium & Turkey, and [North] America. From the collection of Dr. M. H. Coleman, but not marked as such. NOTE. This copy lacking the frontis portrait of Hardinge Britten. Boards a bit rubbed overall, chafing and bruising to corners & spine edges and ends, endpapers cracked and boards a little wobbly. Several tiny tears at upper spine, spine darkened. Page edges darkened, pages a bit toned. Overall a solid, unmarked VG copy of a scarce edition although *lacking frontispiece* as noted. Item #62026
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