Item #66064 The "Controls" of Stainton Moses, "M.A. Oxon."; With numerous drawings and specimen signatures. A. W. TRETHEWY, 'M. A. Oxon' William Stainton Moses.
The "Controls" of Stainton Moses, "M.A. Oxon."; With numerous drawings and specimen signatures

The "Controls" of Stainton Moses, "M.A. Oxon."; With numerous drawings and specimen signatures

London: Hurst & Blackett Ltd., ND [ 1923 ]. First Edition. Hardcover. Large octavo. Non-standard (?) cloth binding. Patterned blue cloth, gilt titling and decorations to spine. B&w frontispiece and illustrations, handwriting facsimiles, index. William Stainton Moses (1839-1892), was an English clergyman and spiritualist who claimed a number of clairvoyant and psychical experiences, but was best known for his 'automatic scripts,' received via direct communication from a band of 'spirits,' between 1872 and 1883. These communications were discussed in his books 'Spirit Teachings' (1883) and 'Spirit Identity,' (1879). The present volume is effectively a "companion" to Moses' writings - examining their origins, adding unpublished materials, etc. etc.
From the collection of Gerald Yorke (1901-1983) with his posthumous bookplate on rear paste-down. A great occult scholar and bibliophile, Yorke ("Frater Volo Intellegere") was for a short time Aleister Crowley's chief disciple. In later life Yorke played a crucial role in preserving Crowley's literary legacy as well as in the publication of works on the occult and Eastern religions, editing and commissioning works for a number of British publishers from the 1950s through 1970s.
Note: this copy is in a non-standard binding, it is either a publisher's cheap (remainder?) binding, or it has been rebound. The latter would seem strange, as the binding is definitely old, and indeed appears contemporary with the time of publication. A little leaned, front board has been lightly bumped at the fore-edge, causing a slight ripple in the cloth, spine darkened, spine ends and corners lightly bruised. Page edges foxed and darkened. Rear pastedown has a few discolored patches. Rear endpaper hinge starting, but holding firm. Otherwise a tight, clean better than VG copy (no dust jacket). Item #66064

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