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What the World Believes, the False and the True by Various Authors (RARE Illustrated Compendium), 1884 📜🌍🧐

Name: What the World Believes, the False and the True by Various Authors (RARE Illustrated Compendium), 1884 📜🌍🧐
Brand: Wall Antiques
Price: 350.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$350.00

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1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare and a cornerstone work of 19th-century comparative religion. The book, What the World Believes, the False and the True, is a massive reference guide that provides an overview of the world's religions and belief systems.

As a rare illustrated compendium from 1884, this volume is a highly sought-after artifact for collectors of American social history and religious studies. It offers a unique window into the public's fascination with non-Western cultures and the intellectual currents of the late Victorian era.

Its documented rarity and exceptional content make this a premier acquisition for any serious library. The book is not merely a reference text; it is a monument to the social codes of a past era and a record of a pivotal period in American history.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

What the World Believes, the False and the True is a work of American social and cultural observation.

The book's content is a comprehensive and detailed account of the world's religions and belief systems, all presented from a distinctly 19th-century perspective. This compilation is a fascinating look at how a 19th-century American audience viewed the world's diverse faiths and customs.

The book is a primary source for any scholar or dedicated reader of 19th-century American history. It is widely considered to be a cultural time capsule, capturing the ideals of respectability and a deep appreciation for the art of social order.

The physical book itself, with its original decorative cloth and a beautiful illustrated frontispiece, is evidence to the high-quality publishing of the era. The book's unique narrative and illustrations make it a fascinating artifact.

3. About the Author ✍️🏛️✨

The collective authors of this work include Albert L. Rawson and George J. Hagar, both prolific 19th-century writers and compilers. Their work provides a crucial perspective on the American experience and is a constant reinvention of the historical narrative.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1884, this book is an artifact of the Gilded Age in America, a period of immense social and economic change. It was a time of great interest in American history. The book serves as a vital document of the early history of comparative religion as a field of study.

The book is a "time capsule" of late 19th-century American social and intellectual thought. The volume reflects the values of its time and provides an honest look at the lives of a community that was often overlooked by mainstream culture. It serves as an important record of the transitional period between a nation divided and one striving for unity and a new national identity.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a curator of American social history, a scholar of the Gilded Age, or a private collector of fine bindings. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book's dual significance as a foundational historical document and a physical artifact of its time.

This is a perfect fit for a collection that cherishes the intimate story behind a social movement. It appeals to a collector interested in the intersection of culture, history, and the art of bookmaking. The book is an essential piece for an individual building a library that tells the story of how American society was transformed.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a rare first edition from 1884, this book represents a genuinely scarce non-replicable asset. First and early editions of important works of literary criticism are highly sought after by collectors.

This is a unique asset that is unlikely to reappear on the market for years to come. This volume offers a unique opportunity to build a personal library with an item of true academic and historical significance.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is a survivor from the late 19th century, showing authentic wear consistent with its age. The original publisher's cloth is in solid state, with a tight and sound binding.

The covers show rubbing and scuffing, particularly along the edges and on the spine.

The pages have some expected discoloration and foxing throughout, a natural process for paper. The pages are free from any major tears or stains, and the interior text block is clean. The book is free of any detached or loose pages.

There is a prior ownership inscription, which adds a unique layer of history. The book has been well cared for over the centuries and remains a functional, readable object. Its preservation is a powerful indicator of the high regard in which it was held by its previous custodians.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book contains a personal inscription on a blank endpaper, which provides a rich history of its ownership and journey. This unique mark makes the book a primary source document with a known history.

Transcription: The inscription reads: "To: Thelma Jean From Aunt Alice".

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

The book's illustrations, which are a key feature of this edition, often depict scenes from various world religions and cultures.
The publisher, Gay Brothers & Company, was known for producing high-quality, large format books on a variety of popular subjects.
This book is a unique window into the late 19th-century American fascination with non-Western cultures and the intellectual currents of the late Victorian era.
The inscription provides a direct link to the book's past, revealing the names of its original owner, Thelma Jean, and the person who gifted it to her, Aunt Alice.

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰