Theosophy · Mesmerism · Occult History · Historical Chicago Bookselling
The Rationale of Mesmerism, 1902 — A. P. Sinnett, with Chicago Theosophical Book Concern Label
A. P. Sinnett · The Rationale of Mesmerism · London, 1902 · Second edition
Catalogue details
Description
At the turn of the twentieth century, mesmerism occupied an uneasy frontier between the emerging study of hypnosis, claims of healing through the mind, and the esoteric teachings of the Theosophical Society. This volume brings those worlds together through the writing of Alfred Percy Sinnett (1840–1921), the journalist and leading early Theosophist who helped introduce the movement to English-speaking readers through The Occult World and Esoteric Buddhism.
- Dimensions
- Measurements gladly provided on request
- Author
- Alfred Percy Sinnett (1840–1921)
- Title
- The Rationale of Mesmerism
- Publication
- London: The Theosophical Publishing Society, 1902
- Edition
- Second edition
- Binding
- Original red cloth, gilt-lettered
- Bookseller label
- Theosophical Book Concern, Chicago
- Condition
- Please consult the photographs for condition. Additional photographs are available on request.
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Historical context & sources
Mesmerism at the Crossroads of Science and the Occult
Sinnett discusses the theories of mesmeric influence, alleged magnetic forces, clairvoyance, trance, curative mesmerism, and the relation of unusual psychological phenomena to the occult laws of nature. These are historically important claims and interpretations, not established demonstrations of supernatural or therapeutic effects. The work is especially appealing as primary evidence of how late-Victorian Theosophists attempted to reconcile purported paranormal phenomena with contemporary scientific vocabulary.
A Chicago Connection: Theosophical Book Concern
The distinguishing feature of this particular copy is the printed label inside the front cover: “Theosophical Book Concern / 426, 26 Van Buren St. / Chicago.” Contemporary records place the Theosophical Book Concern at Room 426, 26 East Van Buren Street, Chicago; the premises were in the Athenaeum Building. An announcement in The Theosophic Messenger (1906) names this address among American outlets for theosophical books.
Thus the label is a tangible trace of the international distribution network that brought London-published Theosophical literature to readers in the American Midwest. It is a bookseller's or distribution label, not proof of an identified individual owner's library. The date on which this copy passed through the shop is not established.
