Theosophical Publishing Society (London)

The Theosophical Publishing Society was a publisher and distributor of Theosophical books located in London. It also published the periodicals Lucifer and Theosophical Siftings. It was associated with organizations of the same name in Benares, India and in New York, and frequently co-published with the offices of The Path in New York and The Theosophist in Madras, and also the Occult Publishing Company in Boston.

Announcement of renaming; from The Theosophist, June, 1917.

Advertisement on the back cover of Charlotte Despard book, 1913.

History

The periodical Lucifer was the first offering of the Society, in 1887, with Richard Harte serving as Secretary.

The first books published under this corporate name were in 1891, and the last were around 1917, when the Theosophical Publishing House was established at No. 1 Upper Woburn Place. Initially, books were printed in London or Edinburgh, but after Annie Besant became President of the Theosophical Society, printing was often done in Benares. After the Vasanta Press was established at Adyar in 1909, books were often produced there under the name Theosophical Publishing House, while the name Theosophical Publishing Society continued to be used in London and Benares. Its London addresses were: 7, Duke Street, Adelphi, W. C. (around 1891-1894); 26, Charing Cross, London, S. W. (around 1896-1898); and 161, New Bond Street, London, W., (around 1908-1914).

Publications

These are examples of its publications:

• Besant, Annie. Is Theosophy Anti-Christian? : an Explanation Addressed to the Bishop of London, [a lecture] delivered on July 1st, 1904. 1904. Reproduction of this edition is available at Hathitrust. Also available on microform through American Theological Libraries Association.
• Blavatsky, H. P. Nightmare Tales. 1892. Published at London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 7, Duke Street, Adelphi, W. C.; New York: The Path Office, 144 Madison Avenue; Madras: Theosophical Society.
• Christie, Catherine W. Theosophy for Beginners: and for the Use of Lotus Circles. Second edition in 1910. Published at Benares and London: Theosophical Publishing Society; Adyar, Madras: The Theosophist Office.
• Leadbeater, C. W. The Astral Plane. 1895. Published at London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 7, Duke Street, Adelphi, W. C.; Benares: Theosophical Publishing Society; Madras: The Theosophist Office.
• Leadbeater, C. W. An Outline of Theosophy. 1895. Published at London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 7, Duke Street, Adelphi, W. C.; Benares: Theosophical Publishing Society; Madras: The Theosophist Office. Theosophical Manual No. 5. Available at https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.ah591k;view=1up;seq=7 Hathitrust].
• Mann, Maud. Some Indian Conceptions of Music. 1912. London. Available at Scholars Portal.
• Marques, A. Scientific Corroborations of Theosophy. Revised edition. 1908. London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 161, New Bond Street. Available at Hathitrust and Google Books.
• Mead, G. R. S. Apollonius of Tyana. 1901. Published in London and Benares by Theosophical Publishing Society. Available at Hathitrust.
• Olcott, Henry Steel. The Buddhist Catechism. 44th edition (corrected). 1915. Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House; London and Benares: Theosophical Publishing Society.
• Prasad, Rama. The Science of Breath and the Philosophy of the Tattvas. 1894. Published at London: Theosophical Publishing Society, 7, Duke Street, Adelphi, W. C.; New York: The Path Office; Madras: Theosophical Society. Available at Hathitrust.
• "Some of Her Pupils." H. P. B. In Memory of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. 1891. Published at London: 7, Duke Street, Adelphi, W. C.; New York: The Path Office, 132, Nassau Street; and Madras: Theosophical Headquarters, Adyar. Available at Hathitrust.
• Steiner, Rudolf. Three Essays on Haeckel and Karma. 1914. Published by Theosophical Publishing Society, 161, New Bond Street, London. Available at Hathitrust.
• Waite, Arthur Edward. Azoth, or A Star in the East. 1893. Published at London: 7, Duke Street, Adelphi, W. C.; New York: The Path Office, 132, Nassau Street; and Madras: Theosophical Headquarters, Adyar. Available at Hathitrust.
• Ward, H. Snowden. Karma, and Its Twin Doctrine Reincarnation: the Foundation Doctrines of Theosophy. 1891. 14 pages.