An Idol's Passion: A Tale of the Orient. (THEOSOPHY / OCCULT)

First edition from 1895 - one of only 2 works by American authors illustrated by the English artist Reginald Machell, a friend and personal interior decorator of the Theosophy founder Helena Blavatsky. This friendship and his subsequent joining of the esoteric order Blavatsky founded, had a profound effect on the artist, as can been seen here in these rather dark illustrations with strong occult undertones.

After research, we can only locate two copies held by institutions worldwide. Notoriously rare, especially so with the original cloth portfolio.

First edition, large folio. Loose-leaf (523 x 419mm.) Half-title, title, 17 tinted plates incorporating the text mounted on 17 sheets. (Soiling to half-title, toning to margins.) Loose-leaf within original grey cloth-covered portfolio (worn, ties broken).

Published by Transatlantic Publishing Company, New York & London, 1895.