The Imitation of Christ BY THOMAS A KEMPIS - 1926 - ODJ
The Imitation of Christ – Thomas à Kempis (1926 Macmillan Edition, with Dust Jacket)
Bibliographic Details
Title: The Imitation of Christ
Author: Thomas à Kempis (1380–1471)
Editor: Brother Leo, F.S.C., Professor of English Literature, St. Mary’s College, Oakland, California
Publisher: The Macmillan Company, New York
Publication Date: 1926 (reprint of the 1910 Macmillan electrotyped edition)
Binding: Dark blue cloth, gilt lettering on cover and spine
Dust Jacket: Original, printed brown jacket with decorative border and promotional text (scarce for this edition)
Ecclesiastical Approval: Nihil Obstat (Arthur J. Scanlan, S.T.D., 1924) and Imprimatur (Patrick Cardinal Hayes, Archbishop of New York, 1924)
Historical Significance
Thomas à Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ (written ca. 1418–1427) is one of the most influential works in Christian devotional literature, second only to the Bible in readership and impact. Rooted in the Devotio Moderna movement, it emphasizes humility, simplicity, and interior devotion over theological speculation. Its timeless reflections guided saints, reformers, clergy, and lay readers for centuries.
This Macmillan edition presents the text not only as devotional reading but as an educational tool, adapted for high school and college use. Brother Leo’s introduction includes essays on the literary significance of the work, the life of Thomas à Kempis, the Brothers of the Common Life, and theories of authorship.
Content Overview
The text is arranged into four books, following the 15th-century autograph manuscript order (retaining the Eucharistic reflections often omitted in Protestant editions):
- Admonitions Useful for the Spiritual Life – humility, detachment, discipline.
- Admonitions Leading to the Interior Life – purity of mind, solitude, inward focus.
- On Interior Consolation – meditations presented as a dialogue with Christ.
- On the Sacrament of the Altar – reverence for Holy Communion.
Physical Features
Original dust jacket (scarce, shows wear, chipping, and edge loss but remains presentable).
Pocket-sized edition: “size that fits the hand or the pocket.”
Strong binding with clean interior pages.
Inscription: Gifted “To Alice from Alice Keil, Christmas 1927.”
Condition Notes
Book: Very good overall. Cloth binding remains strong with minimal wear. Interior pages are clean with light toning appropriate for age.
Dust Jacket: Fair, with edge wear, small losses, and toning, but intact and rare to find with this edition.
Inscription: Contemporary gift note (1927) on front endpaper.
Collector’s Significance
Important early 20th-century edition of a cornerstone Christian devotional work.
Educational adaptation prepared by a respected Catholic scholar.
Original dust jacket present—scarce survival.
Presentation inscription from 1927 adds provenance.
This volume stands at the intersection of devotional history, Catholic publishing, and early 20th-century book design, making it a meaningful addition for collectors of religious texts or students of Christian spirituality.
