The Isle that is Called Patmos

Philadelphia: A. J. Rowland, 1897. 1st edition. Inscribed by Geil in 1899 "with Kindest regards of the author." VG with some fading and wear, but a sound copy overall. A narrative of his pilgrimage to the Greek isle of Patmos, an early Christian center where biblical historians believe John the Apostle was exiled, received his apocalyptic visions, and wrote the Book of Revelation. An engaging travelogue, with material on the island's history, people, geography, churches and monasteries, and more. Illustrated with a portrait, b&w photographic plates, a map, and small text illustrations. Geil (1865-1925) was born in Doylestown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He gained fame as an unordained evangelist, explorer, lecturer, and author of ten books based on his travels to the Holy Land, the Mediterranean, and elsewhere. He was an expert on China and is credited as the first American to walk the entire Ming section of the Great Wall of China. This book is inscribed to a Rev. C.B. Perkins. Geil also added the Bible verse, "Occupy till I come." (Note: Signed material from Geil is quite uncommon. No signed books or other autograph material located for sale online at the time of listing.) Large clothbound hardcover. Quarto, 10 x 8.5 inches.195 pp. Frontispiece portrait of Geil with printed facsimile signature. His hand-signed inscription is on the first blank page. Wear at the corners, fading at the spine, and uneven fading of the front cover. Sound binding. Clean internally. Printed by the American Baptist Publication Society, and two small flyers are laid in for other books from its press.