In The Pronaos of The Temple of Wisdom by Franz Hartmann
Publication: 1890 Theosophical Publishing Society;London via Occult Publishing Co; Boston
This rare First Edition is one of two alternate cover variations published in 1890. One variation is bound in a deep green cloth with the Occult Publishing ensign to the front board, the other is the edition presented here containing the rosicrucian symbol of the pelican decorating the front board. The pelican edition having had the smaller run of the two. This edition contains a few additional differences that the alternate cover did not including; brown end papers, pelican engraving frontispiece, and theosophical publishing society imprint to the spine. The pelican edition appears to have been printed exclusively for The Medical Heritage Library in London. Hence, the added scarcity of the edition.
"Hartmann's study of the history etc. of Rosicrucianism, written in response to those of Hargrave Jennings and A. E. Waite. Chapters Include - Introduction: Occult Literature - Allegorical language of the Rosicrucian books - its secret meaning, The Hermetic Philosophy, Medieval Philosophers, Among the Adepts, The Rosicrucian "Orders," Pseudo Rosicrucians: Imposters and Fools, Appendix - The Principles of the Yoga-Philosophy of the Rosicrucians and Alchemists, In the Pronaos of the Temple of the True Cross, Alchemy."
Condition: Original olive green boards with gilt title and publisher to spine, front board decorated with pelican often used in Rosicrucian symbolism, corners are slightly bumped, spine ends with some damage, there is a period appropriate inscription to the first blank page and the last few pages look to have had some erased pencil marks, besides that all pages remain clean, binding is tight, all things considered and given the age of the book it is still in Very Good condition.