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A Quarterly Journal of Research A Quarterly Journal of Research Volume XII, No.2 April 2006 ISSN 0951-497X A Quarterly Journal of Research Founded by Leslie Price, 1985 Volume XII, No. 2 April 2006 EDITOR displayed an affinity to modern Theosophy. The subscription rate for residents in the James A. Santucci U.S., Mexico, and Canada is $22.00 (one year) or $39.00 (two years). California res- California State University, Fullerton idents, please add $1.71 (7.75%) sales tax onto the $22 rate or $3.02 onto the $39 rate. For residents outside North America, the subscription rate is $26.00 (£15 ASSOCIATE EDITORS British Sterling) (one year) or $47.00 (£25) (two years).Air mail is $40.00 (£22) Robert Boyd for Europe and Asia and $36 for Pan American nations (one year) or $74.00 (£41) for Europe and Asia and $67 for Pan American nations (two years). Single issues are $8.00 (£4.50). Electronic (PDF) issues are $2.50 (£1.50) each or $10 (£5.50) for †John Cooper any four available issues and $17.00 (£9.50) for any eight available issues. University of Sydney Subscriptions may also be paid in British sterling.All inquiries should be sent to James Santucci, Department of Comparative Religion, California State University, P.O. Box 6868, John Patrick Deveney Fullerton, CA 92834-6868 (U.S.A.). Periodicals postage paid at Fullerton, California New York, NY 92631-9998. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Theosophical History (c/o James Santucci), Department of Comparative Religion, California State University, P.O. Box 6868, April Hejka-Ekins Fullerton, CA 92834-6868. California State University, Stanislaus The Editors assume no responsibility for the views expressed by authors in Theosophical History. Jerry Hejka-Ekins This periodical is indexed in the ATLA Religion Database, published by the Nautilus Books American Theological Library Association, 250 S. Wacker Dr., 16th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606, email: [email protected], world wide web: http://www.atla.com. Theosophical History Robert Ellwood assumes no responsibility for the views expressed by the contributors to the journal. Emeritus, University of Southern California * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Antoine Faivre Emeritus, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION OF MANUSCRIPTS Joscelyn Godwin Colgate University The final copy of all manuscripts—article, communication, or review—must be submitted in Microsoft Word (any version) electronically, preferably by email attach- Jean-Pierre Laurant ment.The email address is [email protected]. Emeritus, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Paris Bibliographical entries and citations must be placed in endnote format.The cita- tions must contain complete bibliographical information. For books, the publisher’s J. Gordon Melton name and the place and date of the publication are required; for journal articles, the Institute for the Study of American Religion volume, number, and date must be included. There is no limitation on the length of University of California, Santa Barbara manuscripts. In general, articles of 30 pages or less will be published in full; articles in excess of 30 pages may be published serially in the journal or as a separate publica- Leslie Price tion in the Occasional Papers Series.. Former Editor, Theosophical History Brief communications, review articles, and book reviews are welcome. All correspondence, manuscripts, and subscriptions should be sent to: Gregory Tillett University of Western Sydney, Nepean Dr. James A. Santucci Department of Comparative Religion Karen-Claire Voss California State University, P.O. Box 6868 Fatih University – Istanbul Fullerton, CA 92834-6868 (U.S.A.) Email: [email protected] With the assistance of Julia Ho. Telephone:714-278-3727 Website: www.theohistory.org Theosophical History (ISSN 0951-497X) is published quarterly in January, April, July, and October by James A. Santucci (Department of Comparative Religion, California Copyright ©2006 by James A. Santucci State University, P.O. Box 6868, Fullerton, CA 92834-6868 U.S.A.) The journal consists Composition and Theosophical History logo by Eric Santucci of four issues per volume: one volume covering a period of one year.The journal’s pur- www.ericsantucci.com pose is to publish contributions specifically related to the modern Theosophical Movement, from the time of Madame Helena Blavatsky and others who were respon- sible in establishing the original Theosophical Society (1875), to all groups that derive their teachings—directly or indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly—from her or her immediate followers. In addition, the journal is also receptive to related movements (including pre-Blavatskyite Theosophy, Spiritualism, Rosicrucianism, and the philosophy of Emanuel Swedenborg to give but a few examples) that have had an influence on or Theosophical History Occasional Papers (ISBN 1-883279-00-3) Editor: James A. Santucci VOLUME I Witness for the Prosecution:Annie Besant’s Testimony on Behalf of H.P. Blavatsky in the N.Y. Sun/Coues Law Case Introduction by Michael Gomes VOLUME II Joan Grant:Winged Pharaoh By Jean Overton Fuller VOLUME III Ammonius Saccas and His Eclectic Philosophy as Presented by Alexander Wilder By Dr. Jean-Louis Siémons VOLUME IV W.T. Brown’s “Scenes in My Life” Introduction by Michael Gomes VOLUME V Krishnamurti and the World Teacher Project: Some Theosophical Perceptions By Govert Schüller VOLUME VI Astral Projection or Liberation of the Double and the Work of the Early Theosophical Society By John Patrick Deveney VOLUME VII Cyril Scott and a Hidden School:Towards the Peeling of an Onion By Jean Overton Fuller VOLUME VIII Franz Hartmann’s Some Fragments of the Secret History of the Theosophical Society Introduction by Robert Hütwohl VOLUME IX The Unseen Worlds of Emma Hardinge Britten: Some Chapters in the History of Western Occultism By Robert Mathiesen VOLUME X: The Coulomb Case By Michael Gomes STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685) 1. Publication Title:Theosophical History 2. Publication No.: 0951-497X 3. Filing Date: October 3, 2005 4. Issue Frequency: Quarterly 5. Number of issues published annually: 4 6. Annual Subscription Price: $22 (North America) $26 (Elsewhere) 7. Complete Mailing Address of known Office of Publication: Department of Comparative Religion, P.O. Box 6868, California State University,Fullerton, Orange County,CA 92834- 6868. Contact person: James A. Santucci.Telephone:714-278-3727 8. Complete Mailing Address of the Headquarters of General Business Offices of the Publisher: Same as 7 above. 9. Full Names and Complete Addresses of Publisher,Editor,and Managing Editor: Publisher: James A. Santucci, Department of Comparative Religion, P.O. Box 6868, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92834-6868. (Orange County) Editor: James A. Santucci, same address as Publisher. Managing Editor: James A. Santucci, same address as Publisher. 10. Owner: James A. Santucci, same address as Publisher. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning 1 percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities: None 12. Tax Status. (For Completion by Nonprofit Organizations Authorized to Mail at Special Rates).The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: Has Not changed During Preceding 12 Months. 13. Publication Title:Theosophical History 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: July 2005 (XI?3) 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average No. Actual No. Copies Each Copies of Single Issue During Issue Published Preceding Nearest to 12 Months Filing Date a. Total no. of Copies 187 180 b. Paid and/or Requested Circulation (1) Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541 120 119 (2) Paid In-County Subscriptions 2 0 (3) Paid Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution 0 0 (4) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS 28 28 c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation 150 147 d. Free Distribution by Mail (1) Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541 8 6 (2) In-County as Stated on Form 3541 2 2 (3) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS 0 2 e. Free Distribution Outside the Mail 2 2 f. Total Free Distribution 12 12 g. Total Distribution 162 159 h. Copies Not Distributed 25 21 i. Total 187 180 j. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation 93% 88% 16. Publication of Statement of Ownership: Publication required.Will be printed in the April 2006 (XII/2) issue of this publication. 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner James A. Santucci, Editor-Owner October 2, 2005 I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that any- one who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information Contents April 2006 Volume XII, Number 2 Editor’s Comments James Santucci . .1 Announcement Death of Grace Frances Knoche . .5 In Memory of Grace Frances Knoche . .7 Communication Grace F. Knoche:A Personal Reminiscence Will Thackara . 11 Obituary Robert Amadou Mark Stavish . .17 Analectic Essay Theosophy and the Theosophical Society Grace F. Knoche . 19 Article Genius, Fraud, or Phenomenon? The Unsolved Case of H.P.Blavatsky Kerri Barry . 23 On the Cover: Grace Francis Knoche (1909 – 2006). Reproduced with permission from The Theosophical Society (Pasadena). Editor’s Comments In this Issue o event or exposé has damaged The Magazine for September 1884, prove that Theosophical Society or its chief the- Madame Blavatsky has been engaged in the oretician, H.P.Blavatsky, more than the production of a varied and long-continued Hodgson Report of 1885 and the “Coulomb series of fraudulent phenomena, in which N she has been assisted by the Coulombs. … Case” the previous year. Apropos the latter, In the second place, apart altogether from Mrs. Emma Coulomb claimed that Blavatsky either these letters or the statements of had produced fraudulent psychic phenomena the Coulombs, who themselves allege that and forged letters supposedly written by her they were confederates of Madame Masters or Mahatmas.
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