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The Making of the Big Book
​By Ernest J. Rodriguez


Manly Palmer Hall was a prominent collector of occult books and manuscripts, some even centuries old. In his lifetime he was able to compile one of the most impressive library collections ever assembled in the realm of occultism. Being the staunch collector that he was, it is only fitting that the making of his wonderful volume An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy was intended to exude an essence of splendor. The result was indeed a masterpiece of the book-maker’s art. The final cost of publishing the first edition was reported to be $145,000 in 1928, the equivalent of $2.4 million in today's economy. The vast majority of Hall's production (if not all) was funded via the process of pre-order subscriptions, news of which reached customers mostly via word of mouth. 

The publication rights for his first major work were owned by H.S. Crocker & Company (San Francisco) at the direction and skillful hand of John Henry Nash, the notable fine book printer who was at one point was commissioned by the Vatican. Nash came to be considered among the master book builders and designers of America, and his own story is worthy of consideration.
​

​​​Subscribe to the New PRS Journal to read on...

​Nothing comes from nothing. Manly Hall’s vision for the All-Seeing Eye was entirely supported by contributions from its readers who paid for their subscription with gifts made according to their means. ​Manly Hall wrote,

“This magazine is published and distributed privately to those who make possible with their financial support its publication. The magazine cannot be bought and has no fixed value. Like all of the ancient teachings which it seeks to promulgate, it has no comparative value, but the students must support it for its own intrinsic merit.”

Your donation pays for a full year of New PRS Journal excellence, including exclusive access to a subscriber content—rare unpublished articles, and new writing by experts in their fields, poetry, and book reviews. Initiation is a beginning, and an end – the initiate enters a new life as a member of a select group, but ends their old life. Nothing can be the same again. We ask you to join the PRS mission to reveal the light of ancient wisdom.

Subscribe to the New Journal

​The New Journal also needs your writing. We are presently interested in articles about these topics: Tarot - The Child - Reincarnation - Tribal beliefs - Tradition - Magic - Eclipse - Ghosts - Heaven
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​THE PHILOSOPHICAL RESEARCH SOCIETY IS A LOS ANGELES-BASED, NONPROFIT CULTURAL INSTITUTION FOUNDED IN 1934 AS A REPOSITORY OF MULTICULTURAL WISDOM SOURCES AND A CENTER OF LEARNING WITH A UNIQUE LIBRARY CONTAINING OVER 30,000 RARE VOLUMES.  ITS HISTORIC LANDMARK BUILDINGS ARE OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND PRESENT SEMINARS, CLASSES AND CONCERTS ON MYTHOLOGY, THE HUMANITIES AND METAPHYSICS.
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT PRS
    • Manly P. Hall >
      • Manly Hall, A Personal Perspective
    • PRS Board & Staff
    • Contributing Artists >
      • Guy Blakeslee
      • John Bucher
      • Sandra del Castillo
      • Devon Deimler
      • Edgar Fabian Frias
      • Mandy Kahn
      • Marina Pacowski
      • Stephen Reedy
      • Fahad Siadat
      • Eliza Swann
    • Press
    • Job Opportunities >
      • LIBRARY ASSISTANT (PT)
      • THEATRE & EVENTS MANAGER (PT)
  • COURSES
  • EVENTS
    • Past Events
  • EXHIBITIONS
    • Hansell Gallery
    • Some Secrets
    • Shadow Forms
    • Second Birth
    • Χάριτες (Graces)
  • Library
  • PRS Journal
    • Past Issues >
      • India
      • Winter Festivals
      • Water
      • The Veil
      • Harvest
      • Fire
      • Moon
      • Solar
      • Rebirth
    • Journal Subscribers >
      • Current Issue
      • Past Issues >
        • February - Saturn
        • January - India
        • December - Winter Festivals
        • November - Water
        • October - The Veil
        • September-Harvest
        • August - Fire
        • July - Moon
        • June - Solar
        • May - Rebirth
    • Journal Submissions
  • PRS ONLINE
    • New Videos
    • Speakers
    • Series
    • Subjects
    • Podcasts
    • Videos On Demand
  • Shop
    • New Arrivals
    • Best Sellers
    • PRS Merch
    • Books by Manly P. Hall >
      • The Secret Teachings
      • The Signature Editions
      • New Editions for Contemporary Seekers
      • Vintage Lecture Notes
      • MPH Essays
      • MPH Book SALE
      • Manly P. Hall Book Bundles
    • MPH Audio >
      • MPH Collection at BetterListen.com
    • MPH E-Books
    • Reprint Series curated by MPH
    • Books and Catalogs >
      • Dr. Obadiah Harris
    • Gifts & Curiosities >
      • Gift Cards
    • Tote Bags
    • Rare and Used Books
    • Symbolic Prints and Posters
    • Tarot, Oracle, and Affirmation Decks
    • Works of Art
    • Curbside Pickup
    • Shipping Update
  • Support
    • Volunteer
    • Roof Restoration Fundraiser
  • Rentals