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8vo; 182 pages; **Facsimile reprint of the 1866 edition. Howes W-445.

WILLIAMS, Aaron. The Harmony Society, at Economy, Penn'a. Founded by George Rapp, A.D. 1805. Pittsburgh: W.S. Haven, 1866. 1st ed. 182pp. Later patterned boards. Titlepage and Prefatory Note professionally mounted, else very good. HOWES W-445: "Includes a chapter on this Society's earlier establishment in Indiana." Adams, Radical Literature in America, p. 40. Streeter VII, 4278. One of the rarest of Utopian works of the 19th century. Rapp founded a successful theocratic communistic society in the United States, moving his community 3 times before establishing the town of Economy, Pennsylvania. The hard-working community enjoyed the fruits of their labors and eventually became quite wealthy. The Society declined and became extinct due, for the most part, to the adoption of the practice of celibacy in 1807. "An excellent history with a discussion of [the Harmony Society's] religious principles, burial customs, and numerous other matters of information about the practices of the Society."-Karl J.R. Arndt, George Rapp's Harmony Society, p.669.

First edition, 12mo, pp. viii, 182; original dark purple cloth with decorative blind-stamping; gilt lettering on front cover; ex-Wayne County Historical Society, stamp on front pastedown; neatly rebacked; corners rubbed; otherwise very good. The Harmony Society had its origins in Germany in the mid-1780s under the leadership of Johann Georg Rapp (1757-1847). The organization moved to the United States in 1804 and established three settlements before its formal dissolution in 1905. The Harmonites were pietist Separatists and non-violent pacifists who believed that the Second Coming of Christ would occur within their lifetimes. Under the leadrship of Rapp, they established a communal lifestyle in line with Rapp's prophecies and preachings.

WILLIAMS, Aaron. The Harmony Society, at Economy, Penn'a. Founded by George Rapp, A.D. 1805. Pittsburgh: W.S. Haven, 1866. 1st ed. 182pp. Orig. blind-stamped black cloth, title in gilt on front cover. Some wear to corners, but still very good. One of the rarest of Utopian works of the 19th century. Ink name of early owner Mrs. Ch. Knoedler, Economy, Pa., and later ownership stamp of renowned Harmony scholar, Dr. Karl Arndt. Rapp founded a successful theocratic communistic society in the United States, moving his community 3 times before establishing the town of Economy, PA. The hard-working community enjoyed the fruits of their labors and eventually became quite wealthy. The Society declined and became extinct due, for the most part, to the adoption of the practice of celibacy in 1807. "An excellent history with a discussion of [the Harmony Society's] religious principles, burial customs, and numerous other matters of information about the practices of the Society."--Arndt, Karl J.R., George Rapp's Harmony Society, p. 669. "Includes a chapter on this Society's earlier establishment in Indiana." --HOWES W-445. W445. Adams, Radical Literature in America, p. 40. Streeter VII, 4278.

First edition. 12mo. 182 pp. "In form the society was a communistic theocracy, with Rapp the actual dictator. His religious teachings were those of Lutheran pietism heavily overlaid with a millenarianism derived from Bengal and Jung-Stilling, a fantastic interpretation of Swedenborg, various minor features of Boehme and other mystics, and the practice of celibacy . one of the most successful [American communistic societies]" (DAB). Inscribed on the front endpaper "John B. Peebles Esq. / with sincere regards / of the Author." Howes W-445: "Includes a chapter on this Society's earlier establishment in Indiana." Adams Radical Literature in America, p. 40: "It is the best account available of one of the most successful communistic societies in America." Streeter sale 4278 ($325). Very good. Original gilt- stamped black cloth (spine ends a little chipped). (#6191).