The title page says it best:
“A complete, graphic, and comparative history of the many strange beliefs, superstitious practices, domestic peculiarities, sacred writings, systems of philosophy, legends and traditions, customs and habits of mankind throughout the world, ancient and modern.
By: Frank S. Dobbins of Yokohama Japan. Assisted by: Hon. S. Wells Williams, LL.D., and Prof. Isaac Hall, LL.B., Ph.D.. The former forty years resident in China, now Prof. in Yale College, Conn., President of the American Bible Society, et.; the latter an eminent Orientalist and late Professor of the College at Beirut, Syria.
The Whole Profusely Illustrated. From Authentic and Trustworthy Authorities. Standard Publishing House, New York 1884″
Where to start . . .
Leather bound with beautifully accented embossed gilt cover and raised bands on spine. Gilt page edges. A magnificent frontispiece faces the title page. 785 pages, 273 illustrations (including 44 full page and 8 double page). Also features 6 steel plate engravings, each with a “vellum covering” insert page.
Hinges, corners and general binding are in good condition. A rub on the front and back cover edges (as shown). Pages are in excellent condition with no reader’s marks.
I will let you determine the slant on the narrative of this book. But it is incredible with 37 chapters covering all the esotericstuff.com religions of the world with uncompromising detail as to worship rites / ceremonies, talismans and philosophies.
I have searched for this title for a couple of years and I was so pleased to find it in such good condition.
It is one heck of a reference and research source for the Serious Collector of Rare Books. At the very least, it is a fascinating read!