L. W. Currey, Inc.

Wellman, J. C., writing as "The Hermit Himself.". THE MONK OF THE MOUNTAINS; OR, A DESCRIPTION OF THE JOYS OF PARADISE: BEING THE LIFE AND WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE OF AN AGED HERMIT, WHO WAS TAKEN BY HIS DECEASED FRIEND TO THE FIRST HEAVEN AND THERE SHOWN THE BEAUTIES AND HAPPINESS OF THE SPIRIT LAND; WITH THE DESTINY AND CONDITION OF THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH FOR ONE HUNDRED YEARS TO COME. By the Hermit Himself [pseudonym]. Indianapolis, Ind. Downey & Brouse, Printers, 1866. Octavo, pp. [i-iii] iv [v-vii] viii-xiii [xiv-xvi] [17] 18-256, flyleaves at front and rear, inserted frontispiece (a portrait of the aged hermit) with yellow tissue guard, original brown cloth, front and rear panels ruled in blind, spine panel stamped in gold, all edges marbled. First edition. There are at least two issues, priority if any not known, one with gold stamped illustration on the front cover and no frontispiece, and this one with no illustration on front cover and an inserted frontispiece. Over half of this book is a future history, ending in the 1950s, of a world society transformed by science and technology into a utopia. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 57. Not in Kopp, Lewis, Negley, or Rooney. Not in Bleiler (1948; 1978) or Reginald (1979; 1992). Wright (II) 1729a. Cloth worn at spine ends and corner tips with shallow loss, a very good copy. An important, but obscure book, now very scarce in commerce. (#157098).

Price: $1,000.00