Letters from Julia (1897, signed first edition)
A rare signed copy of W T Stead's automatic writing communications from the deceased Julia A Ames
Author
Publisher
Printing Details
First edition. Small hardback, bound in the original buckram with (faint) gilt titling to upper board. 14.5 × 11cm, xvi + 188pp.
Signed by W T Stead. Opposite the title page there is a presentation page which states the book belonged to E Graddon, and has been signed by W T Stead, Christmas 1897 with the printed message "Companion to my Rosary". E Graddon is believed to be Lizzie Graddon, a London spiritualist who featured in Stead's magazine, Borderland, which ran from 1893 to 1897 and concentrated on Spiritualism and Psychical Research. "Companion of my Rosary" was part of Stead's "Spiritual Rosary" (mentioned at the end of this book), a series of meditations and prayers focused on his spiritualist beliefs and communion with those who had died.
A rare first edition in book form of W T Stead's communications with Julia A Ames, an American temperance reformer and journalist who died in 1891. He discovered he had the gift of Automatic Writing and recorded messages from Julia to her friend, Mrs E. Through these messages (Stead would sit back in a tranquil state of mind and leave the pen in his hand at Julia's disposal), Julia would tell her friend her experiences from the other side and communicate that was not the end... Julia also instructed Stead to open 'Julia's Bureau' where those in need could request communications from the other side through a group of resident mediums.
William Thomas Stead (1949–1912) was an English journalist, reformer and spiritualist. He was drowned when the Titanic sank in April 1912, where he was last sighted clinging to a raft with john Jacob Astor IV. Stead had often mentioned he would die by wither drowning or lynching, having written articles and stories (From the Old World to the New in 1892 and How the Mail Steamer Went Down in Mid Atlantic by a Survivor in 1886) about large ocean liners colliding with icebergs, or ships going down with insufficient lifeboats.
Condition
The buckram is rubbed and faded, with two small areas of fraying to the joints. The inner binding is sound, the pages lightly age-toned and the book remaining in strong readable condition. A scarce book and very rare to find signed.
Further images available on request.
Books are currently zero-rated for duty (as of April 2026), so the price shown is the price you pay.
Price
£500.00
