The Desâtîr, or the Sacred Writings of the Ancient Persian Prophets; Together with the Ancient Persian Version and Commentary of the Fifth Sasan; Secret Doctrine Reference Series
Minneapolis: Wizards Book Shelf, 1975. Facsimile Reprint. Hardcover. Octavo. 190pp. Deep green faux leather with gilt title etc to spine and front cover, glossary. A volume from the Secret Doctrine Reference Series which reprints works which were important to Mme. Blavatsky, and upon which she relied or quoted heavily from when writing "The Secret Doctrine." This is a facsimile reprint, with added publisher's notes, of the 1888 edition of a work which purports to be a collection of Persian texts, gathering together the work of 15 ancient prophets, including Zoroaster. The work was first published in English in 1818, and a controversy soon arose with scholars split as to whether or not it might be a forgery - possibly produced by some adherents of Shia Islam with the idea of promoting the philosophies of their particular sect. Irresepective of its origins it was influential - Mme Blavatsky quoted it approvingly in a number of her works. A bit of chafing to front spine edge, pages lightly browned - else a tight, clean VG+ copy. (no dust jacket as issued). Item #65610
ISBN: 0913510084
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