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Irving Kane Pond

SysopJ — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 13:55:20 GMT

Circus and acrobatics

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	'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>		'''UNDER CONSTRUCTION'''<br>
	'''Irving Kane Pond''' (1857-1939) and his brother '''Allen Bartlitt Pond''' (1858–1929) were Chicago architects, and leading partners in the prominent firm Pond & Pond, Martin & Lloyd. Irving Kane Pond designed the '''[[L. W. Rogers Building]]''', headquarters of the [[American Theosophical Society]] in Wheaton, Illinois.		'''Irving Kane Pond''' (1857-1939) and his brother '''Allen Bartlitt Pond''' (1858–1929) were Chicago architects, and leading partners in the prominent firm Pond & Pond, Martin & Lloyd. Irving Kane Pond designed the '''[[L. W. Rogers Building]]''', headquarters of the [[American Theosophical Society]] in Wheaton, Illinois.
			That is the supreme function of art - to irradiate life with joy. -- I. K. Pond in ''A Day Under the Big Top'' and in ''Big Top Rhythms''.
	[[File:Autobiography of I K Pond.jpg\|170px\|right\|thumb\|''Autobiography'']]		[[File:Autobiography of I K Pond.jpg\|170px\|right\|thumb\|''Autobiography'']]
	== Personal life ==		== Personal life ==
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	=== Circus and acrobatics ===		=== Circus and acrobatics ===
	Pond first saw a circus as a young child and was deeply impressed. He and his brother practiced acrobatics, walking along the top of a wooden fence and hanging trapezes in the barn. Throughout his life Pond remained highly athletic, performing handsprings and leaping into the air for a quick aerial somersault. His profound appreciation of the skill and artistry of circus performers was expressed in his 1937 book '''''Big Top Rhythms'''''. ~~It is a~~ thoroughly engaging ~~account~~ of his experiences with circus people, and their discipline in perfecting their performances, along with the rhythms and ~~cycles~~ of circus life.		Pond first saw a circus as a young child and was deeply impressed. He and his brother practiced acrobatics, walking along the top of a wooden fence and hanging trapezes in the barn. Throughout his life Pond remained highly athletic, performing handsprings and leaping into the air for a quick aerial somersault. His profound appreciation of the skill and artistry of circus performers was expressed in his 1937 book '''''Big Top Rhythms''''', which was an expansion of ''A Day Under the Big Top'', an essay presented to the Chicago Literary Club in 1924. Both are thoroughly engaging accounts of his experiences with circus people, and their discipline in perfecting their performances, along with the rhythms, cycles, and order of circus life.

	Pond often made use of his athletic skills		Pond often made use of his athletic skills
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	=== Social clubs and memberships ===		=== Social clubs and memberships ===

			In 1885, he helped organize the '''Chicago Architectural Sketch Club''', since renamed as the Chicago Architectural Club.

	Chicago Literary Club		Chicago Literary Club

	== Theosophical Society connections ==		== Theosophical Society connections ==
	[[File:Headquarters view from southeast.jpg\|right\|250px\|thumb\|Drawing of Rogers Building]]		[[File:Headquarters view from southeast.jpg\|right\|250px\|thumb\|Drawing of Rogers Building]]
	Theosophist and architect '''[[Claude Fayette Bragdon]]''' (1866-1946) was a friend of Irving Kane Pond. In 1926, when the [[American Theosophical Society]] was planning its new national center in Wheaton, Illinois, Bragdon was asked to design it. He was then reorienting his career from architecture to stage design, so he declined. He recommended engaging Pond & Pond, Martin & Lloyd, the Chicago architectural firm headed by his friend Irving Kane Pond, and the Society followed his advice. The architects submitted two designs for consideration, and the Society's Board of Directors was evenly divided over which should be the finalist. President L. W. Rogers sent both drawings to Bragdon, who returned a telegram saying that his preference would be the "asymmetrical" design, and that is the one that was built. It is now called the '''[[L. W. Rogers Building]]'''. Pond wrote:		Theosophist and architect '''[[Claude Fayette Bragdon]]''' (1866-1946) was a friend of Irving Kane Pond. They had much in common:
			* Architectural careers.
			* Superb skill in writing on diverse subjects.
			* Love of Shakespeare's plays, with Pond participating in amateur theatricals while Bragdon designed sets and costumes for Broadway productions.
			* Recognizing the spiritual component of popular entertainments - the circus for Pond and community singing and light shows for Bragdon.

			In 1926, when the [[American Theosophical Society]] was planning its new national center in Wheaton, Illinois, Bragdon was asked to design it. He was then reorienting his career from architecture to stage design, so he declined. He recommended engaging Pond & Pond, Martin & Lloyd, the Chicago architectural firm headed by his friend Irving Kane Pond, and the Society followed his advice. The architects submitted two designs for consideration, and the Society's Board of Directors was evenly divided over which should be the finalist. President L. W. Rogers sent both drawings to Bragdon, who returned a telegram saying that his preference would be the "asymmetrical" design, and that is the one that was built. It is now called the '''[[L. W. Rogers Building]]'''. Pond wrote:
	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
	Bragdon referred his clients to me as one who could empathize with their ideas and minister to their needs. The building was built from our plans and at the laying of the corner stone, as well as upon other occasions, I had the prestige of meeting many of the internationally famous of the Cult [Theosophical Society], notably [[Annie Besant]] and the newly discovered messiah, [[Jiddu Krishnamurti\|Krishnamurti]], a soulful eyed boy who was being led about as in a trance. . . I stood where it was indicated that I should stand until, when at a point in the ritual, I should step forward and lay the stone "plum" and "square" and "true." I stayed after the ceremony and helped the mason reset the stone properly. I found laiety (sic) and leaders to be a gentle lot and later learned that Krishnamurti had developed an individuality, which, probably, he had been at pains to conceal, and refused further to be exploited.<ref>Irving Kane Pond, ''The Autobiography of Irving K. Pond: The Sons of Mary and Elihu'', edited by David Swan and Terry Tatum, with an introduction by Guy Szuberla (Oak Park, Illinois: Hyoogen Press Inc, 2009):304-305.</ref>		Bragdon referred his clients to me as one who could empathize with their ideas and minister to their needs. The building was built from our plans and at the laying of the corner stone, as well as upon other occasions, I had the prestige of meeting many of the internationally famous of the Cult [Theosophical Society], notably [[Annie Besant]] and the newly discovered messiah, [[Jiddu Krishnamurti\|Krishnamurti]], a soulful eyed boy who was being led about as in a trance. . . I stood where it was indicated that I should stand until, when at a point in the ritual, I should step forward and lay the stone "plum" and "square" and "true." I stayed after the ceremony and helped the mason reset the stone properly. I found laiety (sic) and leaders to be a gentle lot and later learned that Krishnamurti had developed an individuality, which, probably, he had been at pains to conceal, and refused further to be exploited.<ref>Irving Kane Pond, ''The Autobiography of Irving K. Pond: The Sons of Mary and Elihu'', edited by David Swan and Terry Tatum, with an introduction by Guy Szuberla (Oak Park, Illinois: Hyoogen Press Inc, 2009):304-305.</ref>

Claude Fayette Bragdon

SysopJ — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:49:53 GMT

Impact on Theosophical Society headquarters campus

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	=== Impact on Theosophical Society headquarters campus ===		=== Impact on Theosophical Society headquarters campus ===

	In 1926, when the [[American Theosophical Society]] was planning its new national center in Wheaton, Illinois, Bragdon was asked to serve as architect. He was then reorienting his career from architecture to stage design, so he declined. He recommended engaging Pond, Pond, Martin & Lloyd, the Chicago architectural firm headed by his friend Irving Kane Pond, and the Society followed his advice. The architects submitted two designs for consideration, and the Society's Board of Directors was evenly divided over which should be the finalist. President [[L. W. Rogers]] sent both drawings to Bragdon, who sent back a telegram saying that his preference would be the "asymmetrical" design, and that is the one that was built. It is now called the '''[[L. W. Rogers Building]]'''.		In 1926, when the [[American Theosophical Society]] was planning its new national center in Wheaton, Illinois, Bragdon was asked to serve as architect. He was then reorienting his career from architecture to stage design, so he declined. He recommended engaging Pond, Pond, Martin & Lloyd, the Chicago architectural firm headed by his friend [[Irving Kane Pond]], and the Society followed his advice. The architects submitted two designs for consideration, and the Society's Board of Directors was evenly divided over which should be the finalist. President [[L. W. Rogers]] sent both drawings to Bragdon, who sent back a telegram saying that his preference would be the "asymmetrical" design, and that is the one that was built. It is now called the '''[[L. W. Rogers Building]]'''.

	Bragdon did design an important structure at the [[Olcott (campus)\|headquarters campus]] that was unveiled for members in a [[Co-Freemasonry\|Co-Masonic]] dedication ceremony at the summer convention in 1940. An '''[[Bragdon Arch\|arch]]''' was built at the Main Street entrance to the campus. The cost of the project was underwritten anonymously by a member from Portland, Oregon, later acknowledged to be John H. Mason. Two stone and brick support columns are topped by carved Platonic solids – a dodecahedron and an icosahedron. Between them is a wrought iron arch with the name of the Society in America]] and the TS emblem in the center. Originally a lighted lantern hung from the emblem, but it had to be removed in later years when vehicles became taller.		Bragdon did design an important structure at the [[Olcott (campus)\|headquarters campus]] that was unveiled for members in a [[Co-Freemasonry\|Co-Masonic]] dedication ceremony at the summer convention in 1940. An '''[[Bragdon Arch\|arch]]''' was built at the Main Street entrance to the campus. The cost of the project was underwritten anonymously by a member from Portland, Oregon, later acknowledged to be John H. Mason. Two stone and brick support columns are topped by carved Platonic solids – a dodecahedron and an icosahedron. Between them is a wrought iron arch with the name of the Society in America]] and the TS emblem in the center. Originally a lighted lantern hung from the emblem, but it had to be removed in later years when vehicles became taller.

L. W. Rogers Building

SysopJ — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 22:47:49 GMT

History

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	[[File:Rogers_at_desk_1927.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|right\|L. W. Rogers at his desk in 1927. Image from TSA Archives.]]		[[File:Rogers_at_desk_1927.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|right\|L. W. Rogers at his desk in 1927. Image from TSA Archives.]]

	In 1925 the [[American Theosophical Society]], now known as the [[Theosophical Society in America]], purchased land in Wheaton, Illinois for a new headquarters campus. The Board of Directors approached architect [[Claude Bragdon]], a prominent member of the Society, to design a building to serve as the national administrative center. Bragdon was then closing down his architectural practice to begin a career in theatrical design, and recommended a Chicago architect, '''Irving Kane Pond''', of Pond & Pond, Martin & Lloyd, to take on the project. The architectural firm submitted two designs, and the Board could not decide between them, so President [[L. W. Rogers]] sent the drawings to Bragdon for review. Bragdon wired back that he preferred the asymmetrical design by Irving Pond over a symmetrical rendering by one of his partners.<ref>Claude Bragdon telegram to L. W. Rogers, 1926, TSA Archives.</ref>		In 1925 the [[American Theosophical Society]], now known as the [[Theosophical Society in America]], purchased land in Wheaton, Illinois for a new headquarters campus. The Board of Directors approached architect '''[[Claude Bragdon]]''', a prominent member of the Society, to design a building to serve as the national administrative center. Bragdon was then closing down his architectural practice to begin a career in theatrical design, and recommended a Chicago architect, '''[[Irving Kane Pond]]''', of Pond & Pond, Martin & Lloyd, to take on the project. The architectural firm submitted two designs, and the Board could not decide between them, so President [[L. W. Rogers]] sent the drawings to Bragdon for review. Bragdon wired back that he preferred the asymmetrical design by Irving Pond over a symmetrical rendering by one of his partners.<ref>Claude Bragdon telegram to L. W. Rogers, 1926, TSA Archives.</ref>

	The drawings from Irving Kane Pond's proposal were published in [[The Messenger (periodical)\|''The Messenger'']], and the members were excited to see them. The original art works were created with pen and pastels. Along with blueprints, correspondence, and specifications, they have been preserved using grant funding from the '''Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board''' by the Archives Department of the Theosophical Society.		The drawings from Irving Kane Pond's proposal were published in [[The Messenger (periodical)\|''The Messenger'']], and the members were excited to see them. The original art works were created with pen and pastels. Along with blueprints, correspondence, and specifications, they have been preserved using grant funding from the '''Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board''' by the Archives Department of the Theosophical Society.

Irving Kane Pond

SysopJ — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 16:01:40 GMT

Circus and acrobatics

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	=== Circus and acrobatics ===		=== Circus and acrobatics ===
	<br>		Pond first saw a circus as a young child and was deeply impressed. He and his brother practiced acrobatics, walking along the top of a wooden fence and hanging trapezes in the barn. Throughout his life Pond remained highly athletic, performing handsprings and leaping into the air for a quick aerial somersault. His profound appreciation of the skill and artistry of circus performers was expressed in his 1937 book '''''Big Top Rhythms'''''. It is a thoroughly engaging account of his experiences with circus people, and their discipline in perfecting their performances, along with the rhythms and cycles of circus life.
	<br>
	<br>		Pond often made use of his athletic skills
	<br>		<blockquote>
	~~<br>~~		Before the age of five, I had begun those exercises in the air which eliminated all sense of fear of altitudes. . . and gave me a self-reliance which has contributed to a practical as well as an aesthetic advantage. In me was instilled the confidence to walk, as I have many a time in supervising construction, the four or five inch flange of an I-beam two hundred feet in the air - with a chance to fall the entire distance; or to stand, gesticulating with legs and feet, on my head upon a perch about eighteen inches in diameter at the top of a skeleton spire with a clear fall of one hundred and fifty feet beneath me, as I did some time in my thirteenth year.<ref>Irving Kane Pond ''Big Top Rhythms'' (Chicago: Willett, Clark and Company,, 1937), 45-46.</ref>
	<br>		</blockquote>
	<br>
	~~<br>~~		On his 80th birthday, he grabbed his bare knees with both hands and performed a that was caught in a published in ''Life'' magazine in June 1937.<ref>Anonymous, "Life on the American Newsfront: Octogenarian Architect Turns Birthday Back Flip" ''Life'' (June 14, 1937): 28. See [https://books.google.com/books?id=yUQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Life+1937+Pond&pg=PA28 Life]].</ref>

	[[File:Northwestern_University_Settlement_House_.jpg\|right\|220px\|thumb\|Northwestern University Settlement House]]		[[File:Northwestern_University_Settlement_House_.jpg\|right\|220px\|thumb\|Northwestern University Settlement House]]

	=== Settlement House movement ===		=== Settlement House movement ===

	The Pond brothers were strong supporters of the settlement house movement that developed in Chicago during the Progressive Era. They designed many facilities for Jane Addams' Hull House, a complex of thirteen buildings providing social services, child care, and adult education. Allen Bartlitt Pond served on the board of directors for Hull House.		The Pond brothers were strong supporters of the settlement house movement that developed in Chicago during the Progressive Era. They designed many facilities for '''Jane Addams' Hull House''', a complex of thirteen buildings providing social services, child care, and adult education. Allen Bartlitt Pond served on the board of directors for Hull House.

	The Northwestern University Settlement House at 1400 West Augusta was designed by Pond and Pond in 1901, and has been designated a Chicago Landmark.		The '''Northwestern University Settlement House''' at 1400 West Augusta was designed by Pond and Pond in 1901, and has been designated a Chicago Landmark.
	<br>		<br>
	<br>		<br>
	<br>		<br>

	=== Social clubs and memberships ===		=== Social clubs and memberships ===
	Chicago Literary Club		Chicago Literary Club

	~~[[File:Big Top Rhythms.jpg\|right\|170px\|thumb\|''Big Top Rhythms'']]~~
	== Theosophical Society connections ==		== Theosophical Society connections ==
			[[File:Headquarters view from southeast.jpg\|right\|250px\|thumb\|Drawing of Rogers Building]]
			Theosophist and architect '''[[Claude Fayette Bragdon]]''' (1866-1946) was a friend of Irving Kane Pond. In 1926, when the [[American Theosophical Society]] was planning its new national center in Wheaton, Illinois, Bragdon was asked to design it. He was then reorienting his career from architecture to stage design, so he declined. He recommended engaging Pond & Pond, Martin & Lloyd, the Chicago architectural firm headed by his friend Irving Kane Pond, and the Society followed his advice. The architects submitted two designs for consideration, and the Society's Board of Directors was evenly divided over which should be the finalist. President L. W. Rogers sent both drawings to Bragdon, who returned a telegram saying that his preference would be the "asymmetrical" design, and that is the one that was built. It is now called the '''[[L. W. Rogers Building]]'''. Pond wrote:
			<blockquote>
			Bragdon referred his clients to me as one who could empathize with their ideas and minister to their needs. The building was built from our plans and at the laying of the corner stone, as well as upon other occasions, I had the prestige of meeting many of the internationally famous of the Cult [Theosophical Society], notably [[Annie Besant]] and the newly discovered messiah, [[Jiddu Krishnamurti\|Krishnamurti]], a soulful eyed boy who was being led about as in a trance. . . I stood where it was indicated that I should stand until, when at a point in the ritual, I should step forward and lay the stone "plum" and "square" and "true." I stayed after the ceremony and helped the mason reset the stone properly. I found laiety (sic) and leaders to be a gentle lot and later learned that Krishnamurti had developed an individuality, which, probably, he had been at pains to conceal, and refused further to be exploited.<ref>Irving Kane Pond, ''The Autobiography of Irving K. Pond: The Sons of Mary and Elihu'', edited by David Swan and Terry Tatum, with an introduction by Guy Szuberla (Oak Park, Illinois: Hyoogen Press Inc, 2009):304-305.</ref>
			</blockquote>

	~~Theosophist and architect [[Claude Fayette Bragdon]] (1866-1946) was a friend of Irving Kane~~ Pond~~. In 1926, when~~ the [~~[American Theosophical Society]] was planning its new national center in Wheaton, Illinois, Bragdon was asked to design it~~. ~~He was then reorienting his career from architecture to stage design, so he declined~~. He recommended engaging Pond & Pond, Martin & Lloyd, the Chicago architectural firm headed by his friend Irving Kane Pond, and the Society followed his advice. The architects submitted two designs for consideration, and the Society'~~s Board of Directors was evenly divided over which should be the finalist~~. ~~President L. W~~. ~~Rogers sent both drawings to Bragdon, who sent back~~ a ~~telegram saying that his preference would be the "asymmetrical" design~~, ~~and that is~~ the ~~one that was built. It is now called the [[L. W. Rogers Building]]~~.		Pond can be seen at the cornerstone ceremony with Annie Besant in a '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH-vuNwK3RU 1926 silent film]''' that is available on YouTube. He also presented Mrs. Besant with a tube, but the contents are not known.

	Another Theosophist with whom Pond had some connection was the Chicago etcher [[Bertha Jaques]]. When her book ''A Country Quest'' was published in 1936, she gave a copy to Irving Kane Pond, bearing the inscription "To Irving K. Pond with best wishes. Bertha E. Jaques. Christmas 1936." It is possible that they met at the cornerstone ceremony in Wheaton, Illinois on August 29 ten years earlier, but otherwise they may have become acquainted through artistic or social groups. Both were heavily engaged in the arts and social activism, and they shared a love of Michigan, the subject of her book. The copy that she gave to Pond was donated with his library to his alma mater, the University of Michigan, and is available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/740477891.html Hathitrust].		Another Theosophist with whom Pond had some connection was the Chicago etcher '''[[Bertha Jaques]]'''. When her book ''A Country Quest'' was published in 1936, she gave a copy to Irving Kane Pond, bearing the inscription "To Irving K. Pond with best wishes. Bertha E. Jaques. Christmas 1936." It is possible that they met at the cornerstone ceremony in Wheaton, Illinois on August 29 ten years earlier, but otherwise they may have become acquainted through artistic or social groups. Both were heavily engaged in the arts and social activism, and they shared a love of Michigan, the subject of her book. The copy that she gave to Pond was donated with his library to his alma mater, the University of Michigan, and is available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/740477891.html Hathitrust].

	== Writings ==		== Writings ==
			[[File:Big Top Rhythms.jpg\|right\|170px\|thumb\|''Big Top Rhythms'']]
	* '''''The Meaning Of Architecture: An Essay In Constructive Criticism'''''. Boston, Marshall Jones Company, 1918. 226 pages, illustrations. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/971540.html Hathitrust] and several versions at [https://archive.org/details/meaningofarchite00pond Internet Archive]. A historical reproduction of the 1923 edition is available at [https://www.amazon.com/meaning-architecture-essay-constructive-criticism/dp/1117177548 Amazon.com].		* '''''The Meaning Of Architecture: An Essay In Constructive Criticism'''''. Boston, Marshall Jones Company, 1918. 226 pages, illustrations. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/971540.html Hathitrust] and several versions at [https://archive.org/details/meaningofarchite00pond Internet Archive]. A historical reproduction of the 1923 edition is available at [https://www.amazon.com/meaning-architecture-essay-constructive-criticism/dp/1117177548 Amazon.com].
	* '''"Eliel Saarinen and his work a word of appreciation and greeting"'''. 1923. Available at [https://books.google.com/books?id=bctPAAAAMAAJ and [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015008062880&seq=1 Hathitrust]. Pages extracted from ''The Western Architect'' 32 no. 7 (July, 1923): 75-76 plus plates.		* '''"Eliel Saarinen and his work a word of appreciation and greeting"'''. 1923. Available at [https://books.google.com/books?id=bctPAAAAMAAJ and [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015008062880&seq=1 Hathitrust]. Pages extracted from ''The Western Architect'' 32 no. 7 (July, 1923): 75-76 plus plates.
	* '''''A Day Under the Big Top, a Study in Life and Art'''''. Chicago: Chicago Literary Club, 1924. 40 pages, with 4 diagrams. "Edition, five hundred and fifteen copies, printed for members of the club in the month of March, nineteen hundred and twenty-four." About circus and acrobatics. Available at [https://books.google.com/books?id=tWB0SUDY1JoC Google Books] and [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015062226652&seq=7 Hathitrust].		* '''''A Day Under the Big Top, a Study in Life and Art'''''. Chicago: Chicago Literary Club, 1924. 40 pages, with 4 diagrams. "Edition, five hundred and fifteen copies, printed for members of the club in the month of March, nineteen hundred and twenty-four." About circus and acrobatics. Available at [https://books.google.com/books?id=tWB0SUDY1JoC Google Books] and [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015062226652&seq=7 Hathitrust].
	* '''''The College Union'''''. [New York], 1931. 16 pages. Limited availability at [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015004162973 Hathitrust] and [https://books.google.com/books?id=a_fVAAAAMAAJ Google Books].		* '''''The College Union'''''. [New York], 1931. 16 pages. Limited availability at [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015004162973 Hathitrust] and [https://books.google.com/books?id=a_fVAAAAMAAJ Google Books].
	* '''"Pullman - America's First Planned Industrial Town"'''. Illinois ~~society~~ of ~~architects~~. ''Monthly ~~bulletin~~'' vol. 18-19, nos. 12-1, June-July, 1934. 6-8 ~~pages~~.		* '''"Pullman - America's First Planned Industrial Town"'''. Illinois Society of Architects. ''Monthly Bulletin'' vol. 18-19, nos. 12-1 (June-July, 1934): 6-8.
	* '''''Big Top Rhythms: A Study in Art and Life''''', written and illustrated by Pond. Chicago, New York, Willett, Clark and Company, 1937. 229 pages, illustrations.		* '''''Big Top Rhythms: A Study in Art and Life''''', written and illustrated by Pond. Chicago, New York, Willett, Clark and Company, 1937. 229 pages, illustrations.
	* '''''A Strange Fellow, and Other Club Papers''''', written and illustrated by Pond New York, Chicago, Priv. Print. by Willett, Clark and Company, 1938. 224 pages, illustrations. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/2976903.html Hathitrust], [https://libsysdigi.library.illinois.edu/OCA/Books2012-05/strangefellowoth00ilpond/ Open Content Alliance], and [https://archive.org/details/strangefellowoth00ilpond Internet Archive].		* '''''A Strange Fellow, and Other Club Papers''''', written and illustrated by Pond New York, Chicago, Priv. Print. by Willett, Clark and Company, 1938. 224 pages, illustrations. Available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/2976903.html Hathitrust], [https://libsysdigi.library.illinois.edu/OCA/Books2012-05/strangefellowoth00ilpond/ Open Content Alliance], and [https://archive.org/details/strangefellowoth00ilpond Internet Archive].

Bing Escudero

SysopJ — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:53:22 GMT

Websites

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	* '''[https://archive.org/details/118901 Cosmic Order and Karma]''' in two parts. 1983. 84 minutes. An explanation of types of karma including total, ripe and future karma as well as individual, family and national karma.		* '''[https://archive.org/details/118901 Cosmic Order and Karma]''' in two parts. 1983. 84 minutes. An explanation of types of karma including total, ripe and future karma as well as individual, family and national karma.
	* '''[https://archive.org/details/exploringnewdirections Exploring New Directions]'''. 1987. 44 minutes. A panel discussion during the 101st Annual Summer School Convention for the Theosophical Society in America about the direction and meaning of the work of the Theosophical Society and of Theosophy itself.		* '''[https://archive.org/details/exploringnewdirections Exploring New Directions]'''. 1987. 44 minutes. A panel discussion during the 101st Annual Summer School Convention for the Theosophical Society in America about the direction and meaning of the work of the Theosophical Society and of Theosophy itself.

	~~=== Websites ===~~

	* [https://www.alharris.com/bing-escudero/ Collected Esoteric Writings of Bing Escudero] compiled by Al Harris. PDFs of dozens of articles and pamphlets arranged topically.

	== Notes ==		== Notes ==

Irving Kane Pond

SysopJ — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:46:38 GMT

Theosophical Society connections

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	[[File:Autobiography of I K Pond.jpg\|170px\|right\|thumb\|''Autobiography'']]		[[File:Autobiography of I K Pond.jpg\|170px\|right\|thumb\|''Autobiography'']]
	== Personal life ==		== Personal life ==
	[[File:Irving_Kane_Pond,_1876.jpg\|~~200px~~\|left\|thumb\|Irving Kane Pond, 1876]]		<br>
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			[[File:Irving_Kane_Pond,_1876.jpg\|170px\|left\|thumb\|Irving Kane Pond, 1876]]
	== Architectural work ==		== Architectural work ==
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	=== Training and early work ===		=== Training and early work ===
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	=== Philosophy and style ===		=== Philosophy and style ===
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	== Other activities ==		== Other activities ==

	~~Hull-House~~		=== Circus and acrobatics ===
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	~~[[File:Big Top Rhythms.jpg\|right\|170px\|thumb\|''Big Top Rhythms'']]~~
	~~=== Circus and acrobatics ===~~
	<br>		<br>
	<br>		<br>
	<br>		<br>
			[[File:Northwestern_University_Settlement_House_.jpg\|right\|220px\|thumb\|Northwestern University Settlement House]]
			=== Settlement House movement ===

			The Pond brothers were strong supporters of the settlement house movement that developed in Chicago during the Progressive Era. They designed many facilities for Jane Addams' Hull House, a complex of thirteen buildings providing social services, child care, and adult education. Allen Bartlitt Pond served on the board of directors for Hull House.

			The Northwestern University Settlement House at 1400 West Augusta was designed by Pond and Pond in 1901, and has been designated a Chicago Landmark.
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	=== Social clubs and memberships ===		=== Social clubs and memberships ===
	Chicago Literary Club		Chicago Literary Club

			[[File:Big Top Rhythms.jpg\|right\|170px\|thumb\|''Big Top Rhythms'']]
			== Theosophical Society connections ==

			Theosophist and architect [[Claude Fayette Bragdon]] (1866-1946) was a friend of Irving Kane Pond. In 1926, when the [[American Theosophical Society]] was planning its new national center in Wheaton, Illinois, Bragdon was asked to design it. He was then reorienting his career from architecture to stage design, so he declined. He recommended engaging Pond & Pond, Martin & Lloyd, the Chicago architectural firm headed by his friend Irving Kane Pond, and the Society followed his advice. The architects submitted two designs for consideration, and the Society's Board of Directors was evenly divided over which should be the finalist. President L. W. Rogers sent both drawings to Bragdon, who sent back a telegram saying that his preference would be the "asymmetrical" design, and that is the one that was built. It is now called the [[L. W. Rogers Building]].

			Another Theosophist with whom Pond had some connection was the Chicago etcher [[Bertha Jaques]]. When her book ''A Country Quest'' was published in 1936, she gave a copy to Irving Kane Pond, bearing the inscription "To Irving K. Pond with best wishes. Bertha E. Jaques. Christmas 1936." It is possible that they met at the cornerstone ceremony in Wheaton, Illinois on August 29 ten years earlier, but otherwise they may have become acquainted through artistic or social groups. Both were heavily engaged in the arts and social activism, and they shared a love of Michigan, the subject of her book. The copy that she gave to Pond was donated with his library to his alma mater, the University of Michigan, and is available at [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/740477891.html Hathitrust].

	== Writings ==		== Writings ==

File:Northwestern University Settlement House .jpg

SysopJ — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:50:57 GMT

SysopJ uploaded File:Northwestern University Settlement House .jpg Northwestern University Settlement House at 1400 West Augusta, Chicago. This building was designed by Irving Kane Pond and Allen Bartlitt Pond in 1901. Image from Wikimedia.

New page

== Summary ==
Northwestern University Settlement House at 1400 West Augusta, Chicago. This building was designed by [[Irving Kane Pond]] and Allen Bartlitt Pond in 1901. Image from Wikimedia.

Olcott (campus)

SysopJ — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 21:27:39 GMT

Additional resources

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	== Additional resources ==		== Additional resources ==
	* [https://www.theosophyforward.com/pdf/Olcott.pdf ''Olcott in Wheaton''], an e-book published in May 2012 by [[Theosophy Forward (periodical)\|''Theosophy Forward'']] Electronic Editions. This link is to a PDF version.		* '''[https://www.theosophyforward.com/pdf/Olcott.pdf ''Olcott in Wheaton'']''', an e-book published in May 2012 by [[Theosophy Forward (periodical)\|''Theosophy Forward'']] Electronic Editions. This link is to a PDF version.

	== Notes ==		== Notes ==

Clairvoyance

SysopJ — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:46:52 GMT

Video

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	===Video===		===Video===
	*[https://archive.org/details/1090_20190726 Medical Diagnosis by Clairvoyance] by Phoebe Bendit. Wheaton, Illinois: Theosophical Society in America, 1957. 44 minutes. Recorded from a live radio broadcast, Phoebe Bendit, and her husband Laurence, discuss the many aspects of clairvoyance and how she used it for over thirty years in her medical practice.		* '''[https://archive.org/details/1090_20190726 Medical Diagnosis by Clairvoyance]''' by Phoebe Bendit. Wheaton, Illinois: Theosophical Society in America, 1957. 44 minutes. Recorded from a live radio broadcast, Phoebe Bendit, and her husband Laurence, discuss the many aspects of clairvoyance and how she used it for over thirty years in her medical practice.
			* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZGKoevhflA Clairvoyance: The Art of Seeing Clearly]''' by Kurt Leland, presented on October 3, 2024 at the Theosophical Society in America.

	== Notes ==		== Notes ==

Egregore

SysopJ — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:44:32 GMT

Additional resources

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	* Stavish, Mark. ''Egregores: The Occult Entities That Watch Over Human Destiny''. Rochester, Vt: Inner Traditions, 2018. 140 pp. This book was reviewed by Richard Smoley in [[Quest (periodical)\|''Quest'']] magazine for Winter, 2019.		* Stavish, Mark. ''Egregores: The Occult Entities That Watch Over Human Destiny''. Rochester, Vt: Inner Traditions, 2018. 140 pp. This book was reviewed by Richard Smoley in [[Quest (periodical)\|''Quest'']] magazine for Winter, 2019.

			=== Video ===

			* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wNSHLhhys8 Thought-Forms, Egregores, and Magic: The Hidden Power of Repetitive Thought] by Peggy Heubel, presented January 15, 2026 at the Theosophical Society in America.

	=== Websites ===		=== Websites ===

Reincarnation

SysopJ — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:33:48 GMT

Video

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	*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRHbYv3O2pE& Reincarnation] by Pablo Sender		*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRHbYv3O2pE& Reincarnation] by Pablo Sender
	*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTE24XIWWS8# Children Who Claim to Remember Previous Lives] by Ian Stevenson		*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTE24XIWWS8# Children Who Claim to Remember Previous Lives] by Ian Stevenson
			* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJMxNsBlXM8 Theosophy and the Myth of Er: How to Prepare for a Fortunate Rebirth]''' by Rozi Ulics, presented on March 5, 2026 at the Theosophical Society in America.

	== Additional resources ==		== Additional resources ==

Plato

SysopJ — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 18:33:18 GMT

Video

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	** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVjHW_g7ubA Plotinus 1:6 Beauty]. Added January 24, 2022. 27 minutes. Discusses [[Neoplatonism]].		** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVjHW_g7ubA Plotinus 1:6 Beauty]. Added January 24, 2022. 27 minutes. Discusses [[Neoplatonism]].
	** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyVuRh7S3hw 12 Gods of the Phaedrus]. Added January 10, 2022. 13 minutes.		** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyVuRh7S3hw 12 Gods of the Phaedrus]. Added January 10, 2022. 13 minutes.

			* '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJMxNsBlXM8 Theosophy and the Myth of Er: How to Prepare for a Fortunate Rebirth]''' by Rozi Ulics, presented on March 5, 2026 at the Theosophical Society in America.

	=== Websites ===		=== Websites ===

Mahatma Letter No. 112

Alejandro Daniele — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 14:50:45 GMT

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	[[Category:ML with images]]		[[Category:ML with images]]
	[[Category:ML needs commentary]]		[[Category:ML needs commentary]]
			[[es:CM112]]