First Edition of “De telluribus” by Swedenborg
$650
In stock
Description
The first edition of one of the first mystical works of Swedish scientist, diplomat, and religious leader Emmanuel Swedenborg, recording his visionary experiences exploring the solar system and his communications with the various Angels and Demons he claimed to have encountered among the planets and moons.
Swedenborg, regarded as a prophet by his still-existent “New Church”, preached that the apocalypse was spiritual and had already happened in 1754. His emphasis on hypnogogic visions and unseen entities shares many overlaps with the later Spiritualist movement.
Famous in his own time for his earlier, more traditional writings, it is interesting to note that neither he, nor the publisher, John Lewis, placed their name on the final title page, and less than 1000 copies were printed. This appears to have been Lewis and Swedenborg’s arrangement for several of his works.
London, [John Lewis], 1758. 4to, 72pp, unbound stitched sheets, distorted by press. Occasional foxing, otherwise quite clean. Deckled edges with less than expected wear. Small worming to recto, penetrating a few pages. Very good.
