The Real History of the Rosicrucians. Founded on Their Own Manifestos, and on Facts and Documents Collected from the Writings of Initiated Brethren.
London: George Redway, 1887. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. viii+ 446pp ( + 40pp catalogue of Redway publications dated October 1888 ) Decorated royal blue cloth, gilt title, etc. to spine, red rules, upper board stamped in gilt with Alchemical symbols and Rosicrucian symbol, b&w illustrations, notes at rear, index. B&W illustrations: twentry-three woodblock engravings of Rosicrucian signs and symbols in text. The first edition with second issue binding - when Waite saw the book's cover shortly after the first release he was most likely mortified to find that the central Rosicrucian symbol had been printed upside down. As soon as the time came to have more copies bound instructions were given that the symbol should be printed the correct way up. Waite's bibliographer and biographer, Dr. R. A. Gilbert, observed that Waite wrote "The Real History of the Rosicrucians" to provide a balanced account of the subject, in contrast to the highly questionable, yet popular book, "The Rosicrucians, Their Rites and Mysteries," by Hargrave Jennings. Gilbert A5, binding variant (b) - first edition, corrected binding. Spine ends lightly chafed and corners lightly bruised and rubbed, spine a little darkened as common with this volume. Cloth hinge of front board a little rubbed. Inner (endpaper) hinges cracked but boards held firm by cloth, edges of text block a bit darkened, still overall a bright, attractive VG+ copy (no dust jacket issued). Item #72976
Price: $675.00