La France mistique [sic].

Paris: Coulon-Pineau,, 1855. Contraband occultism First edition of this controversial and uncommon French work on "religious eccentricities", containing a survey of philosophical, mystic, occult, and esoteric thinkers, and sects from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. After the work's publication, due to its open "derision of the Catholic religion" (Querard, p. 389), Erdan was condemned to a year's imprisonment and a fine of 3,000 francs. Alexandre Erdan, the pseudonym of André-Alexandre Jacob (1826-1878), was a French writer, journalist, and freethinker. La France mistique "takes us from Swedenborg, Fourier, and Mesmer, through a host of lesser-known nineteenth-century prophets and occultists, to the religion of humanity of Auguste Comte" (Wilkinson, p. 137). It opens with "a plea for religious toleration and the separation of Church and State. For Erdan, the Restoration and the reinstatement of the Catholic Church marked a step backwards in the history of France... Erdan writes that the Catholic revival, in both its aesthetic and politically conservative forms, represented a return to the worst aspect of medieval culture" (ibid., p. 137). A decree of the imperial court of Paris, dated 11 October 1855, ordered the destruction of all the copies seized from the publisher. The four engraved portraits depict the Scottish clergyman Edward Irving, the philosopher Auguste Comte (whom Erdan met in person in 1849), the Polish occultist Józef Maria Hoëné-Wro ski, and the religious leader Andrzej Towia ski. 2 vols in 1, large octavo (222 x 139 mm). With 4 lithographic portraits with tissue guards. Twentieth-century green half morocco, spine lettered in gilt, marbled boards, green endpapers, original green printed wrappers bound in, edges untrimmed. 20th-century illustrated bookplate with initials "N.H." and fittingly mystical laughing devil design to front pastedown, corresponding ownership inscription to verso of front endpaper. Binding sharp with very little rubbing at joints, light soiling to wrappers and very occasional marks to contents, otherwise fresh and clean. A very good copy with wide margins. Caillet 5437. J. M. Quérard, Le Quérard, par l'auteur de la France littéraire, vol. 1, 1855; L. R. Wilkinson, The Dream of an Absolute Language, 1996.