Philosophy and Phenomena of Spiritualism.
Brookline, MA: Franklin A. Thomas, 1922. First Edition. Hardcover, Octavo. 471pp (+ 3pp of adverts). Dark blue cloth with gilt titling to spine, gilt title and blind rule on upper board. The author was born into a poor farming family in Illinois in the 1860s, though the family soon moved on to Kansas. In his youth he left home, and lived in a several New England towns and cities. He was attracted by Spiritualism, made contact with a 'spirit guide,' and traveled throughout the United States, lecturing and writing on Spiritualism. In the course of his travels he was arrested several times for charging for his services under legislation designed to outlaw 'Fortune Telling.' The book is essentially the autobiography of this itinerant Spiritualist, although it also sheds much light on the other Spiritualist groups of the period, their interactions with one another, beliefs etc. Spine ends lightly bruised, endpapers very lightly browned, small owner's ink stamp on title-page, otherwise a remarkably bright, clean Near-fine copy in VG+ dust jacket. (Dust jacket just very lightly rubbed at edges, clipped, small owner's ink stamp to front panel). Item #69892
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