first edition cloth binding
1843 · New York
by Fowler, Orson Squire
New York: O.S. and L.N. Fowler, 1843. First edition.
EUGENICS MEETS PHRENOLOGY IN THIS PARENTS' GUIDE TO OPTIMIZING PROGENY.
14 x 22 cm hardcover, brown cloth binding, blindstamped decorative margins to cover, gilt title to spine, contemporary ink signature of "Horatio N. Otis/ New York/ 1847" to front free endpaper, [binder has transposed leaves 5/6 and 7/8], 266 pp, contents, genealogical table. Light wear to corners and spine ends, light foxing to endpapers, light browning to pages. Very good in custom archival mylar cover.
ORSON SQUIRE FOWLER (1809-1887) was an American phrenologist and lecturer. With his brother Lorenzo Niles Fowler, he opened a phrenological office in New York City. Orson wrote and lectured on phrenology, preservation of health, popular education and social reform from 1834 to 1887. Lorenzo and his wife Lydia Folger Fowler lectured frequently with Orson on the subject of phrenology. The three were "in large measure" responsible for the mid-19th century popularity of phrenology. IN THE PREFACE, "So far as regards the intellectual and moral improvement of mankind, by investigating and applying the laws of hereditary descent, an almost total nonentity exists. Combe, in his " Constitution of Man > has presented this subject, and urged its importance; Yet he has given us but a glimpse merely of the laws which govern this department of nature, and omitted all specific directions for applying them to the production of desired qualities in offspring. To augment this rising interest, and to aid parents, as parents, in the discharge of this their most solemn and eventful duty, is the design of the author in penning this work, and to succeed in this cause of God and humanity, so near his heart, so engrossing to his head, will consummate the highest and the greatest object and desire of his life. But a Phrenologist, and especially a a practitioner of this science, is not only guided by a nomenclature of the mind and a map of its powers incomparably superior to all others, but he can also trace clearly, and read legibly, the resemblances and the differences between parents and their children, by means of their phrenological developments." (Inventory #: 1752)
EUGENICS MEETS PHRENOLOGY IN THIS PARENTS' GUIDE TO OPTIMIZING PROGENY.
14 x 22 cm hardcover, brown cloth binding, blindstamped decorative margins to cover, gilt title to spine, contemporary ink signature of "Horatio N. Otis/ New York/ 1847" to front free endpaper, [binder has transposed leaves 5/6 and 7/8], 266 pp, contents, genealogical table. Light wear to corners and spine ends, light foxing to endpapers, light browning to pages. Very good in custom archival mylar cover.
ORSON SQUIRE FOWLER (1809-1887) was an American phrenologist and lecturer. With his brother Lorenzo Niles Fowler, he opened a phrenological office in New York City. Orson wrote and lectured on phrenology, preservation of health, popular education and social reform from 1834 to 1887. Lorenzo and his wife Lydia Folger Fowler lectured frequently with Orson on the subject of phrenology. The three were "in large measure" responsible for the mid-19th century popularity of phrenology. IN THE PREFACE, "So far as regards the intellectual and moral improvement of mankind, by investigating and applying the laws of hereditary descent, an almost total nonentity exists. Combe, in his " Constitution of Man > has presented this subject, and urged its importance; Yet he has given us but a glimpse merely of the laws which govern this department of nature, and omitted all specific directions for applying them to the production of desired qualities in offspring. To augment this rising interest, and to aid parents, as parents, in the discharge of this their most solemn and eventful duty, is the design of the author in penning this work, and to succeed in this cause of God and humanity, so near his heart, so engrossing to his head, will consummate the highest and the greatest object and desire of his life. But a Phrenologist, and especially a a practitioner of this science, is not only guided by a nomenclature of the mind and a map of its powers incomparably superior to all others, but he can also trace clearly, and read legibly, the resemblances and the differences between parents and their children, by means of their phrenological developments." (Inventory #: 1752)