Gysl Max (2 results)

Hard Cover. Condition: Good. First Edition. Stated Second Impression and 1909 at title page. At copyright: "1500 Printed December, 1908; 1500 Printed May, 1909." Unique provenance from the Bowdon Lodge of The Theosophical Society. Features a translator's note from Max Gysi and foreword by Annie Besant; each dated 1908. Rare second English issue of this classic. Medium brown full cloth boards, red and gilt cover design and titles, some shelf, corner wear, rubbing to spine with few numbers penned. Front features the cross with gilt rays emanating wreathed in eight roses with golden rays emanating from top. Frontispiece portrait of Rudolf Steiner with facsimile signature below and original tissue guard. Deckled pages generally good with areas of moderate varying discoloration to front and last few leaves; corner, edge wear, fox at endpapers. Majority of text body is bright, clean. Leaf at front with advert and contents of "Initiation and Its Results," the sequel to "The Way of Initiation." At back, several adverts for available titles from Steiner, Edouard Shure, and Besant with brief summaries; also adjacent this is page with details about Theosophical periodical, Orpheus. String-bind intact, square; little adhesive to seam of foreword. Rare near good early issue with unique historical origins. Contents: "The Personality of Rudolf Steiner and His Development; 1. The Superphysical World and Its Gnosis; 2. How to Attain Knowledge of the Higher Worlds; 3. The Path of Discipleship; 4. Probation; 5. Enlightenment; 6. Initation; 7. The Higher Education of the Soul; 8. The Conditions of Discipleship." Very exciting provenance to this particular example indicated by antiquarian lending label from the Theosophical Society, Bowden Lodge at Beech Villa on Stamford Road. Bowdon lies within the historic boundaries of county Cheshire, and became part of Greater Manchester in 1974. Features the society's multi-symboled emblem of ouroboros with variety of ankh and hexagram at center, and above this, the ancient fylfot and 3 or Hindu "Om" symbol. Motto below emblem is "Satyan nasti paro dharmah"; Sanskrit translating to: "There is no religion higher than truth," or "Nothing is greater than truth." The motto of the society was adopted from the Rajas of Benares. This would have been in the Theosophical Society's collection following Steiner's departure and beginning of Anthroposophy movement. Rather amazing to consider who may have handled, borrowed and read this volume. Printed by Neill & Co. Ltd. Edinburgh. 237 pages. Insured post. Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" Tall.

Hard Cover. Condition: Good. First Edition. 1912 at title page. Stated at copyright: "1500 printed December 1908; 1500 printed May 1909; 1500 printed May 1912." Rare original Theosophical Publishing printing of this classic. Light brown cloth boards, red and gilt cover titles and design, moderate shelf, rub, discoloration. Cover depicts cross wreathed in eight roses with gold beams emanating from top. At back board in bright gilt is similar insignia of Rosy Cross with seven roses and five-pointed star. Bright gilt spine titles. Frontispiece portrait of Rudolf Steiner with facsimile signature below. Pages very good; moderate fox to first few. Stylish antiquarian signature pencilled at front endpaper: "Blanche." Bind good, square; hinges intact. Near very good rare tangible. Features a glowing foreword by Annie Besant. Contents: "The Personality of Rudolf Steiner and His Development by Edouard Schure; The Superphysical World and Its Gnosis; How to Attain Knowledge of the Higher Worlds; The Path of Discipleship; Probation; Enlightenment; Initation; The Higher Education of the Soul; and, The Conditions of Discipleship." Leaf at back with a treatise describing the Theosophical Society with its tenants and member guideline with list of offices across Europe at bottom. Printed by Neill & Co. Ltd. Edinburgh. 237 pages. Insured post. Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" Tall.