| When I was a teenager in the 1960's I had an interest in the occult and spiritual sciences but there were very few newsstand publications devoted to these subjects. But there was Fate magazine that ran monthly ads for the deLaurence company. They specialized in books and supplies you couldn't find anywhere else. Everything was mail order from the catalog and were located in downtown Chicago my old hometown. In 1965 I ordered a catalog and when it arrived I spent the entire day devouring the contents and enjoying the occult illustrations. I became so intrigued by the mental image in my mind of their company I couldn't resist taking a train ride to downtown Wabash Avenue and seeing it for myself. I had visions of a large dark showroom with candles burning everywhere, incense smoke drifting across the room with swamis, mystics and masters floating around the room with their shopping carts full of strange goods. Instead of that I found the store was on the 2nd floor of an old building. Instead of a turban wearing mystic greeting me at the door I found a short fat bald man chomping on a cigar and reading a horse racing paper! He looked up at me and using his cleverly hidden psychic powers read my mind and said "no store sales, catalog mail order only". What I did see behind him was a medium size storeroom lined with metal warehouse shelves holding the inventory of their huge catalog, all in a space about 20 by 30 feet. Feeling somewhat discouraged at having a spiritual bubble of misconception burst I later realized the power of imagery in advertising especially of a metaphysical nature. Later I discovered the Rosicrucians and AMORC with it's own rich history of esoteric fraternal and commercial art. I've picked out some of the more interesting and crazy items and added my own comments. I hope you enjoy these exotic esoteric images as much as I did then and still do today. |
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Catalog Front Cover |
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Inside cover page welcoming the new reader
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Must-have accessories for the practicing occultist
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Spirit Trumpet
Having trouble communicating with
your dead relatives and loved ones? Not a problem! All you
need is this Spirit Trumpet complete with instructions on it's use. Cleverly
disguised as a sporting event megaphone but at twice the price.
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Gazing Crystal Balls
Actually most crystal balls are not
true rock crystal but simple glass with varying degrees of lead. Some
made of microscope slide quality glass are quite good and never cloud up.
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Pocket Crystal Fortune Teller
Lets you forsee the future and
anticipate questions like "is that a crystal ball in your pocket or are
you just happy to see me?"
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Wiseboy Mirror Sunglasses These mirrored lens sunglasses do a lot to protect your "windows of the soul" from black magic evildoers, rival politicians, weapons inspectors and anyone else opposed to your military junta. |
Books
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The Book of Magical Art, Hindoo Magic and Indian
Occultism
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The Master Key, their flagship product
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Incense and Burners
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Agni Fire God Incense Burner A worthy vessel to contain Agni
the Fire God who is said to live in all burning things and drives away
demons and averts hostile magic. Not guaranteed to work on telemarketers.
Made of solid brass and gets so hot to pick up your fingertips feel the instant burning presence of Agni. |
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Master's Incense An unusually penetrating and noticeable fragrance suitable for concentration exercises, mood creating and rapidly masking odors of liquor, cigars and cheap perfume. |
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Black Power - Burn Burn Burn Incense Official black exploitation incense.
It gives you "muscle", people have been using it for years and want it
every day. Sure sounds addictive.
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Frankincense Gives you that clean ecclesiastical feeling every time. If it was good enough for the baby Jesus just who the hell do you think you are not getting some? Better buy two jars to make up for your irreverant oversight. Charcoal bricks must be used to ignite it. Be sure to use a stoneware bowl or it'll burn a hole right through your altar! Then you'll really be in trouble. |
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Oriental Incense Diffuses an exquisite dreamy fragrance. Completely legal in all states where cannabis oil products are not prohibited. |
Talismans
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The Book of Black Magic and Pacts |
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Talismans for making love or war and invoking
spirits of all kinds
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Special hankerchief for the Talisman user or head cold sufferer |
deLaurence art prints
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Manifestation from the Spirit World |
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Millions of Spiritual Creatures Walk the Earth |
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An Awful Appearance of a Spirit |
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The Spirit of a Suicide |
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Propelling the Astral Body into Spirit Life |
