The Secret Teachings of All Ages

...appropriate form, representing the finest elements of the printer's craft. An increase in the number of illustration plates original: "plates"; In printing, plates are full-page illustrations or engravings, often printed separately from the text. and a higher quality of craftsmanship than was originally planned were made possible by Mr. C. E. Benson of the Los Angeles Engraving Company, who dedicated himself heart and soul to the production of this volume.

The pre-publication sale of this book has been unprecedented in the history of book publishing. The subscription list for the first edition of 550 copies was entirely closed a year before the manuscript was even handed over to the printer. The second, or "King Solomon," edition (consisting of 550 copies) and the third, or "Theosophical," edition (consisting of 200 copies) were both sold out before the finished volume was received from the printer. For such an ambitious project, this represents a unique achievement. The credit for this extraordinary sales program belongs to Mrs. Maud F. Galigher, whose goal was not to sell the book in a commercial sense, but rather to place it in the hands of those specifically interested in its subject matter. Valuable assistance was also provided by many friends who had attended my lectures and who, without payment, successfully managed the distribution of the book.

In conclusion, the author wishes to gratefully acknowledge his debt to each of the hundreds of subscribers whose advance payments made the publication of this folio A "folio" is a very large book format, typically over 13 inches tall, created by folding a sheet of printing paper only once. possible. Undertaking the enormous expense involved was entirely beyond his own personal finances; those who invested in the volume had no guarantee of its production and no security other than their faith in the author's integrity.

I sincerely hope that every reader will benefit from reading this book, just as I have benefited from writing it. The years of labor and thought spent on it have meant a great deal to me. The research revealed many great truths to me; the writing of it revealed the laws of order and patience; the printing of it revealed new wonders of the arts and crafts; and the entire project has introduced me to a great number of friends whom I might never have known otherwise. And so, in the words of John Bunyan John Bunyan (1628–1688) was the English writer and preacher famous for writing The Pilgrim's Progress.:

I wrote
It down, until at last it grew to be,
In length and breadth, the size which you now see.