The Pyramid and Israel by Stephen Abiel Abbott
Publication: 1931 John Lovell & Son, Limited; Montreal, Canada
Rare, privately published signed and inscribed by author
“The Pyramid and Israel” is a self-published book by Stephen Abiel Abbott, released in 1931. Only about 1,300 copies were printed, all of which were distributed free of charge by the author to “avoid the reproach of making money out of religion.” A few copies were given to relatives and close friends, while others were sent to every public library in Canada and a few notable figures in the Christian Church. Most of the copies were distributed in England, which the author considered the “home of the faith of Israel” and the “center of pyramid knowledge.”
This copy is signed by the author and is one of the copies given to a close friend, specifically the banker who assisted in financing the publication. The inscription reads:
“Presented by the author to Mr. D. Forbes, Manager of the Bank street Branch of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, in token of esteeem, and in recognizion of many countries and kindnesses in business transactions. [Signed] S.A. Abbott Ottawa, Sept. 13,1934”
The work presents concepts similar to those published by Piazzi Smyth in “Our Inheritance in the Great Pyramid” (1877), where the pyramid is examined in light of Christian scripture. In fact, many of the illustrations included in this volume are sourced from Smyth's publication. However, the author adopts a much more mystical approach, suggesting that the wisdom of the text was revealed as a form of Divine Revelation, which he experienced through a “Visitation of Life” via the “Flying Roll.” The author states that the purpose of the book is to show the numerous points of agreement between science and Revelation, both of which he believes are imbedded in the structure of the Great Pyramid.
The text is well-structured and offers many fascinating points, but it requires a certain level of western mystical speculation to be truly appreciated and engaged with.
Publication: publishers red faux leather with title embossed to spine and cover, inscription by the author on the front free endpaper, small indintation to the head of spine, a clean copy, the book still contains the original addendum with corrections, tightly bound, in Very Good condition