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Psychiana Weekly Vol. 1, No. 1-52, 1940

 Item — Box: 4, Object: 28

Content Description

From the Collection:

In August 1955 Alfred Robinson and Pearl Robinson gave the University of Idaho Library many Psychiana related items including four large boxes which were to remain sealed for 25 years. These boxes were opened in January 1980 and the contents sorted; the material is now contained in seven file boxes. Included in the three boxes of correspondence are letters between Psychiana headquarters and students in eighteen countries. Carbon copies of Psychiana's replies are attached to most of the original letters from students. The letters from students which Robinson used in his publications are marked with quotation marks; occasionally words were changed or sentences rearranged. The remaining boxes contain copies of all the Psychiana lessons, copies of Psychiana Weekly and other similar publications, typescripts of speeches and articles by Frank Robinson, broadsides used in advertising, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, a scrapbook of clippings kept by Robinson, and photographs.

This is a very important collection not only for those researching Dr. Frank B. Robinson and the impact of Psychiana, but also for those interested in non-orthodox religion. Anyone interested in effective advertising methods would also find this collection useful.

The contents of each section of this collection are described in the following Description of Series.

Dates

  • Creation: 1940

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 8 linear feet

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Description

Inside the front cover of this bound volume which contains numbers 1-52 of 1940 is a note written and signed by Frank B. Robinson stating: "This is the only volume of the Psychiana Weekly in existence." There is a biography of C.W. Tenney in the January 13 issue, an article on Senator William Borah in the February 3 issue, one on Walter Winchell on March 2, lead articles on Hitler on June 8 and August 31, and a brief biography of William Walter DeBolt on November 2. There are also many comments on Hitler and the war, as well as anti-communist remarks. Attacks on orthodox religions are also prominent, such as the attack on the Presbyterians on May 11 and the Methodists on August 3. Each issue contains testimonials and a question and answer section. Many of the answers reveal a rather sarcastic side to Robinson's character, such as the question in the January 27 issue when a student asks Robinson where he got his degrees and he replies: "That's none of your business...."

Repository Details

Part of the University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives Repository