The Dream of Ravan: A Mystery.
London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 1895. First Edition. Hardcover. Small octavo. 248pp. Original olive cloth with black titling to upper board and spine. The first publication in book form of this mystical text which was originally published in "The Dublin University Magazine," in 1853 & 1854. The author remains unknown, but the book form has an added preface by G. R. S. Mead, the Cambridge-educated classicist and long term member of the Theosophical Society, who became famous for his translations and studies of Gnosticism and early Hermetic texts. The work itself appears to be a retelling of sections of the Ramayana and is said to have included the first western publication of the word "Kundalini" and to have furthered the then nascent interest in Eastern Religions amongst educated Westerners. It was highly regarded in Theosophical circles and some believed the anonymous author to be none other than the Theosophical Master Koot Hoomi. Some normal light age wear to cloth, light bumps and chafing to corners and spine ends, spine darkened, uneven browning to endpapers, owner's names on front blank. Front end-paper hinge cracking, causing a little wobble to the front board. Pages generally a bit toned with a hint of pale foxing, pencil notes on rear blank. Overall a tight, better-than VG copy (issued without dust jacket). Item #65567
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