Theosophical Society, American Section. Second Annual Convention held at Chicago, Illinois, April 22d and 23d, 1888.

[New York]: [Geo. W. Wilson, printer]., 18888. First edition. Octavo. 551. [1] pp. Publisher's printed blue wrappers. Slight sunning along top edge but a beautiful copy.American Section refers to the organization of American Theosophists created on October 30, 1886, at a convention held in Cincinnati, where William Quan Judge was elected as General Secretary and Treasurer. Dr. J. D. Buck and the newly formed Cincinnati Theosophical Society hosted the convention. It was the first national section of the Theosophical Society.There were nine Theosophical lodges in various cities throughout the United States: seven in the East and mid-Western states, and two on the West coast. Mr. Judge established The Path as the official organ of the section, based on subscriptions to support its publication. The Cincinnati Theosophical Society mentioned this in its minutes for January 22, 1888:The First National Convention of the American 9as opposed to international) Section was held in Chicago on April 22, 1888. General Council members were Edward W . Parker, Gen. Abner Doubleday, Mrs. M. M. Phelon, Mrs. E. C. Cushman, F. Collins, E. D. Hammond, Judge O ’Rourke, James Taylor, Louise A. Off, Mrs. H. E. Morey, Mrs. A. N. Savery, Mrs. M. Bangle, S. C. Gould, Alexander Fullerton, W . H. Cornell, Dr. Borglum [father of Gutzon Borglum], W . W . Allen, J. M. Wheeler, Mrs. M. L. Brainard, George M. Sweet, Mrs. K. Westendorf, A. 0. Robinson, Col. Henry N. Hooper, George Frederic Parsons, George M. Stearns, R. Wes. McBride, and Dr. J. D. Buck. Dr. Elliott Coues was Chairman of the convention, with Dr. J. D. Buck as a substitute for some sessions. This was the beginning of the split between the Tingley/Besante group with the final breach coming in 1900.