The Rose Cross Order; A short sketch of the History of the Rose Cross Order in America, together with a sketch of the life of Dr. P. B. Randolph, the Founder of the Order. Also a short history of his persecutions and prosecutions, which resulted in giving him greater freedom than he had before, and which trial proved that the things of which he had been accused were absolutely false. History Repeats Itself.
Allentown, PA: Philosophical Publishing Company, 1916. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. 208pp + 24pp "Catalog of Rosicrucian and Soul Science and Success Books" at rear. Original blind stamped brown cloth with gilt title and author to spine and gilt "TRY" device to upper board. An interesting if self-serving account of the history of Rosicrucianism in the USA. Clymer clearly felt threatened by Aleister Crowley - who at the time of writing had recently arrived in New York - and whom Clymer saw as a rival for the Rosicrucian mantle. His attack on Crowley - whom he dubs "one of the most evil, and probably the most degraded creature in the world " starts at the beginning of the book (page 2) and goes on for several pages and gives a fascinating - if somewhat ill-informed and badly-written - contemporary reaction to the Beast. Light shelfwear, light bruising to spine ends and corners. A couple of inches of the lower spine and the lower corner of the top board have some white speckling - faint to very strong - suggesting that someone had done some spray-painting in the vicinity of the book, just touching it. The page edges are a little darkened but internally it is clean and bright, and overall would rate as a VG+ or better copy were it not for the paint. A surprisingly difficult to find work. (no dust jacket - as issued?). Item #65639
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