HYPNOTISM: MAGNETISM, MESMERISM, SUGGESTIVE THERAPEUTICS AND MAGNETIC HEALING — BY L.W. DE LAURENCE, 1916 (EARLY EDITION) — PROVENANCE, PERSONAL COPY OF MERLIN (George Boston), FAMOUS MID-CENTURY MAGICIAN Publisher: De Laurence Co., Chicago (1916)
FULL TITLE: HYPNOTISM: MAGNETISM, MESMERISM, SUGGESTIVE THERAPEUTICS AND MAGNETIC HEALING. Including all that is known in the Art and Practice of Hypnotism, Mesmerism, Mental and Magnetic Healing. Prepared for the self-instruction of beginners as well as for the use of advanced students and practitioners. By L.W. de Laurence; early edition from 1916. 188 pages with wonderful photographs of men and women being hypnotized. Red boards with gilt. In overall excellent condition. Pages are free of interior markings save bookplate on first blank page of MERLIN (George Boston) — please see below for more information on this noteworthy magician. Purchased at auction with other books belonging to him.
From the Preface:
In bringing before the public this book on Hypnotism, Mesmerism, and Suggestive Therapeutics, or the treatment of disease by Hypnotism and Suggestion. I feel that no apology id necessary for introducing so important a subject. No method of treatment has during the last few yeas attracted so much interest among men of science and members of the medical profession, as has the science of Hypnotism and Suggestion. The dangers of Hypnotism and Mesmerism have been proven chemical; and are merely imaginary, for in proper hands no undesirable medical result can occur through its practice, and there is, I believe, hardly one authenticated case of its being used for a criminal purpose in the countries where it is extensively used, especially by the medical profession. More than this can hardly be said of any system of medical treatment. The treatment of disease by Hypnotism and Suggestion has been very successful where it has been practiced by qualified physicians and intelligent operators whose knowledge and experience has taught them to use of hypnotism and Mesmerism in its practical application, and many noted physicians unhesitatingly advocate its use as a powerful auxiliary in combating many forms of nervous and other diseases, not readily reached by other means. Hypnotism and Mesmerism, so called, consists of a true knowledge of the science of the human mind, or soul.
Merlin / George Boston
(1905-1975) American magician who had a career as stage
manager (and sometimes stage assistant) for the Duval Brothers (1924-28), Birch
(1928), Howard Thurston (1928), Harry Thurston (1931-32), Carter (1933), Bird
(1936), Mel-Roy (1937), Virgil (1937), Will Rock (1938), Nicola (1938) and
Blackstone Sr. (1943). Taught magic to Tony Curtis for his role in the 1953
movie Houdini. Attended the Final Houdini Seance in 1937 with Bess Houdini, and
provided the voice narration for the recording of the event. After being fired
by so many top magicians because of his extreme moodiness and erratic behavior,
he launched his own performing career as a mentalist. For a few years, he
worked clubs as "Merlin, the Man of 1000 Mysteries". In 1948, he
began a long employment at the Abbott's Magic Shop branch in Los Angeles.
