There is a vast collection of rare and fascinating books contained within the archive of the Oakland Scottish Rite/Harry Yetter Masonic Research Library. Each was produced by the talents and personalities of several people, and they contain unique traits that can be ascribed to every soul that contributed even though everyone but the author may have disappeared into the mists of history. This is the hidden world of books; they contain secrets unknown to the casual observer. From the printing and binding techniques, the creation of the artwork, to the thought processes and editing required to hone the text, there is an entire cast of characters woven into the fabric of every book. Thus, libraries are not just collections of books to be read, they are museums of the mind and spirit.

One of the most asked about is a unique volume of The Secret Teachings of All Ages: An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy, Being an Interpretation of the Secret Teachings concealed within the Rituals, Allegories and Mysteries of All Ages by the early twentieth-century mystic extraordinaire, Manly P. Hall. The book is widely popular and considered to be Hall’s magnum opus due to his writing, the color illustrations by J. Augustus Knapp, and John Henry Nash’s exquisite printing and binding. Although a resident of Los Angeles, Hall was made a Mason at Jewel Lodge No. 374 in San Francisco (now Pacific-Starr King No. 136) in 1954. He joined the San Francisco Scottish Rite a year later, and became a 33º Inspector General Honorary in 1973.^[1] Hall founded the Philosophical Research Society in Los Feliz in 1934.

Published in 1928, when the Canada-born, Los Angeles-raised, Hall was a mere twenty-seven years old (which means that he started the project in his early twenties), the book’s focus is best summed by its long title. It was released in several editions printed by H.S. Crocker Company, Inc., with the project directed by the well-regarded bookbinder and printer Dr. John Henry Nash (1871-1947). Prominent in the early 20th century, Nash (like Hall) was born in Canada and arrived in San Francisco in 1895.^[2] His success helped distinguish the printing industry in San Francisco,^[3] and his fine works earned him international fame. After teaching at the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism, he returned to Berkeley, California, where he died in 1947.^[4]

Our volume is from the Subscriber Edition and is approximately 12.5 x 19 inches. The copy number is No. 208 of 550 and was bound with white vellum. It includes a custom dedication to the Oakland Scottish Rite Bodies by Nash and is signed by the author. 

According to the antiquarian Ernest Rodriguez of The Rose Books and Obscurities:

“Although it was intended by Hall to release only the Subscribers Edition limited to 550, his popularity grew exponentially in the years it took to produce this book. Hence, in order to maintain demand, he increased production to include also the King Solomon Edition, The Rosicrucian Edition, and The Theosophical Edition. All of which, along with the Subscribers Edition, were produced concurrently. Consequently, there are some who consider all of the 1928 editions’ ‘First Editions’ with some considering ‘The Subscribers Edition’ the ‘True First Edition’. One thing is certain: the 1928 editions are remarkable; and with the exception of the assigned title to each, bear no differences from one another.”^[5]

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^[1] Personal research c. 2004 from the archive of the Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of California.

^[2] “John Henry Nash,” Paul Elder and Company, accessed October 26, 2022, https://paulelder.org/people/john-henry-nash/.

^[3]“John Henry Nash (printer),” Wikipedia, accessed October 26, 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_Nash_(printer).

^[4] “John Henry Nash,” Paul Elder and Company, accessed October 26, 2022, https://paulelder.org/people/john-henry-nash/.

^[5] Ernest Rodriguez, “The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P Hall (Signed)1928 King Solomon Edition,” New Arrivals, The Rose Books and Obscurities, accessed October 25, 2022, https://roseobscurities.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-secret-teachings-of-all-ages-by-manly-p-hall-signed1928-king-solomon-edition.

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