Ancient Symbol Worship : Phallic Influence, 1875 [ Illustrated , Phallism , Archaeology ]
$125
Out of stock
Description
Thoroughly illustrated book the phallic symbol in ancient religions by early Theosophist and occult editor Alexander M Wilder
Wake, C. Stanilav, Westropp, Hodder M. Wilder, Alexander, ed. Ancient Symbol Worship : Influence of the Phallic Idea in the Religions of Antiquity. J.W. Bouton 706 Broadway : New York. 1875. Second edition, illustrated.
An unusual and well – illustrated piece of cultural and religious history, this collection of two 1870 lectures delivered at the Anthropological Society of London is a representative sample of the work of early John Humphrey Noyes disciple, Theosophist, doctor of eclectic medicine and eccentric editor Alexander M. Wilder (1823 – 1908).
A self-described “Platonist” later in life, at 17 Wilder joined the Putney, Vermont-based Perfectionist group lead by John Humphrey Noyes ahead of the latter’s departure for Oneida. Wilder left the group before their move to New York state, claiming in an 1849 publication that he had been driven out by Noyes’ experimentation with mesmeric principles to create “a diseased state of mind and body” as a punishment for visiting another church.
A “walking encyclopedia” and lecturer involved in nearly all aspects of alternative medicine in the mid-19th century, Wilder was the editor of the Albany-based New York Teacher, whose pages he used to expound on serpent worship, Norse conquests, and other unusual topics apart from education reform, as well as a reporter for the New York Evening Post.
A freelance writer, editor and contributor for the early occult book importer and publisher JW Bouton, Wilder authored his own encylcopedia of Alchemy in 1869 as well as other works on ancient symbols and phallic snake worship by both Westropp and Wake. In 1876, the year after this book was published, Wilder was introduced to Helena Blavatsky in New York, becoming her collaborator and editor ahead of JW Bouton’s 1877 publication of Isis Unveiled.
8vo, 98pp, black cloth boards with red stamp printed title to front and spine. Corners bumped with wear to corners and spine ends. Pastedowns and endpapers toned. Contemporary ownership signatures and bookseller’s sticker to front pastedown. Pages clean. Illustrated with 10 black and white plates of archaeological details and ancient symbols.
If you liked this book, you might also like this illustrated 1823 tour of All Religions and Religious Ceremonies or this 1867 illustrated lecture on Stone Circles
