Item #6546 The Watseka Wonder: A Narrative of Startling Phenomena Occurring in the Case of Mary Lurancy Vennum [and] Mary Reynolds. A Case of Double Consciousness. Spiritual Possession, E. W. Stevens, Wm. S. Plummer.
The Watseka Wonder: A Narrative of Startling Phenomena Occurring in the Case of Mary Lurancy Vennum [and] Mary Reynolds. A Case of Double Consciousness.

The Watseka Wonder: A Narrative of Startling Phenomena Occurring in the Case of Mary Lurancy Vennum [and] Mary Reynolds. A Case of Double Consciousness.

Chicago: Office of the Philosophical Journal, [1887]. Second edition. 8vo, [v], [1], 54, [2]pp. Ads at rear, separate title pages for each publication. Original pale paper wrappers, bound in utilitarian cloth backed card covers by the National Library Bindery Co. Withdrawn from the Indianapolis Public Library with their bookplate to inside front cover and perforated stamp to title page. Contents clean and nearly fine with toning and light chipping to wrappers.

Two stories of spiritual possession published in one volume, being the second publication of the popular narrative The Case of Lurancy Vennum by Spiritist physician, E. Winchester Stevens (1822? - 1885).  This pamphlet also reprints the 1860 Harper's Magazine article, "Mary Reynolds: A Case of Double Consciousness," by William S. Plummer.  A scarce and entertaining publication.


"The Watseka Wonder" as it came to be called, was a case which occurred in 1877-1878 in Watseka, Illinois, in which a fourteen-year-old girl was subject to a series of epileptic fits and visions.  Stevens was hired by Mary's parents at the behest of their neighbor, also a Spiritist, Asa B. Roff, to inspect the suffering girl.  He published his experiences first in The Reliogio-Philosophical Journal, and later in book form, as in this edition.  Stevens describes the case in great detail including Mary's sudden character changes, her accounts of trips to heaven and visits with angels, her speaking in different voices and taking on different personalities, etc.  Stevens also documents Mary's claims of being possessed by several deceased people including the daughter of Asa Roff.  This particular manifestation was so realistic and convincing to Roff, Stevens tells, that Vennum lived her neighbor, as his daughter, for the span of several weeks.  


. Item #6546

Price: $250.00

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