3 Vols Three Phrenological Pamphlets

A very scarce trio of ephemeral phrenological pamphlets, including Fowler's character readings of Charles Bradlaugh and Charles Haddon Spurgeon and Severn's 1912 study of phrenology and longevity. In the publisher's original printed wrappers. Three scarce phrenological pamphlets, a curious group illustrating the popular culture of late 19th and early 20th century phrenology. The collection comprises: 1881 Phrenological Delineation of Charles Haddon Spurgeon by L. N. Fowler. Reprinted from the Phrenological Magazine for March 1881. With a portrait of Spurgeon to the front wrapper. A pamphlet containing Fowler's phrenological assessment of the celebrated Baptist preacher, originally dictated in September 1864. 1882 Phrenological Delineation of Chas. Bradlaugh, with Biographical Details by L. N. Fowler. Reprinted from the Phrenological Magazine for June 1882. With a portrait of Charles Bradlaugh to the front wrapper. . A phrenological and biographical study of the radical politician and secularist Charles Bradlaugh (1833-1891). 1912 Phrenology and Longevity by J. Millott Severn. Reprinted from the International Psychic Gazette. With a photographic portrait of the author to the front wrapper. An address delivered at the British Phrenological Society's Congress at Essex Hall, London, on 9 November 1912. Lorenzo Niles Fowler (1811-1896) was an American phrenologist and publisher, part of the influential Fowler family which did much to popularise phrenology. Joseph Millott Severn (1860-1942) was a British phrenologist, lecturer and author who remained an active advocate of the discipline. In the publisher's original printed wrappers.Externally, a little worn. The Bradlaugh and Spurgeon pamphlets are age-toned and soiled, with handling marks, spotting and staining to the wrappers. Creasing, rubbing and tears to the extremities, with the odd small loss; small shelf annotations to heads of front wraps. "Spurgeon" wrapper particularly worn and stained. "Severn" is comparatively smart, with light age-toning, handling marks and minor edge wear. Internally, generally firmly bound. Pages age-toned but generally clean, with the odd spot and handling mark. "Spurgeon" pamphlet unopened to upper fore edge, Closed tear to center of "Spurgeon". "Bradlaugh" and "Spurgeon" somewhat strained at the folds, stitching visible in places. In a later manuscript-labelled paper envelope, heavily worn with creasing, tears and losses. Good.…