Where Strange Gods Call: Pages Out of the East by Harry Hervey (1924, First Edition)
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1924 first edition travel memoir | Where Strange Gods Call | Annotated by Dr. Martin Lockley | Illustrated Asia book
A Rare Illustrated Journey through Colonial Asia, Annotated by a Scholar of World Religions
Presented by Artifex Heirloom
This 1924 first edition of Where Strange Gods Call is more than a travel memoir—it is a richly layered artifact of early 20th-century spiritual and cultural exploration. Written by Harry Hervey, a novelist and screenwriter celebrated for his work on Shanghai Express (1932), the book captures a bygone era of temples, rituals, ports, and poetry—all brought to life with original illustrations by Christopher Murphy.
But what sets this copy apart is its uncommon provenance: originally gifted to Charles Joseph Potts in 1924, it was later owned and lightly annotated by Dr. Martin Lockley, a paleontologist and scholar of world religions. His notes—pencil stars, brackets, and quiet observations—highlight key reflections on the mystical East, adding scholarly resonance to a narrative already steeped in symbolism and wonder.
📚 Book Details
• Title: Where Strange Gods Call: Pages Out of the East
• Author: Harry Hervey
• Illustrator: Christopher Murphy
• Publisher: The Century Co., New York & London
• Edition: First Edition (1924)
• Binding: Deep blue cloth hardcover with embossed Buddha figure beneath a red moon, gilt spine titles
• Pages: 349
• Illustrations: Full-page black-and-white plates of landscapes, temples, and portraits
• Dimensions: Approx. 8 x 6 x 2 in | 1 lb 6 oz
📜 Provenance
• Inscribed in 1924 by R.P. Edwards to Charles Joseph Potts
• Later owned and annotated by Dr. Martin Lockley—light scholarly pencil markings throughout
• A rare dual provenance linking early 20th-century gifting culture with late-20th-century academic study
📖 Condition Report
• Binding: Structurally sound, though boards are slightly tender
• Covers: Minor edge wear and browning to lower edges
• Pages: Clean and smooth, with no foxing
• Annotations: Light pencil markings (brackets, stars) by Lockley—tasteful and illuminating
• Overall Grade: Very Good – for age, integrity, and usability
✨ Why This Book Matters
✔ Rare First Edition – Early printing from a respected travel writer and screenwriter
✔ Historically Layered Provenance – A unique object that bridges literary, spiritual, and scholarly journeys
✔ Illustrated by Christopher Murphy – Rich visual documentation of cultural traditions
✔ Deep Symbolism & Cultural Insight – Ideal for readers interested in mysticism, Asia, or comparative belief systems
✔ Gift-Ready Heirloom – Wrapped with care and ideal for a worldly collector
A book that journeyed across oceans and disciplines—now waiting for its next steward.
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Do you ship internationally?
Currently, I ship within the United States only to keep things simple and sustainable.
That said, if you’re located internationally and see something you love, you’re welcome to reply to a Dispatch email or join the mailing list and send a note. I occasionally make exceptions for subscribers on a case-by-case basis.
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Do you ship internationally?
Currently, I ship within the United States only to keep things simple and sustainable.
That said, if you’re located internationally and see something you love, you’re welcome to reply to a Dispatch email or join the mailing list and send a note. I occasionally make exceptions for subscribers on a case-by-case basis.
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