Style:Early 20th-Century Yoga/Esoteric Religious Ephemera; American Spiritualism
Origin:United States (Los Angeles)
Materials:Printed paper pamphlet (colored paper wrapper, likely staple-bound; letterpress/offset ink)
Age:Published 1926 (Eighth Edition); circa 1926
Condition:Very Good (clean cover with light edge wear and small specks; interior and staples not shown; not officially graded)
Value:USD 60–120 at auction
Maker's Marks / Writing:Front cover text: “YOGODA / OR / A System for Physical, Mental and Spiritual Perfection / The Highest Technique of Concentration and Meditation / Spiritualization of the Body / Originated and Taught by SWAMI YOGANANDA, A. B. OF INDIA / Swami Dhirananda, M. A., Associate” with a small lotus/eye device; “Eighth Edition”; “Published by YOGODA AND SAT-SANGA / LOS ANGELES / 1926.”
Date:2025-08-23 21:32:29.998988
Description:
Small orange/ochre paper pamphlet titled “YOGODA — A System for Physical, Mental and Spiritual Perfection; The Highest Technique of Concentration and Meditation; Spiritualization of the Body,” originated and taught by Swami Yogananda, A.B., of India, with Swami Dhirananda, M.A., Associate. Eighth Edition, published in Los Angeles in 1926 by “Yogoda and Sat-Sanga.” Likely staple-bound; black rule border on the cover and a small lotus/eye emblem centered above the edition line. An example of early American yoga/spiritualist print ephemera linked to what later became the Self-Realization Fellowship.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A scarce piece of early yoga literature from the formative U.S. years of Swami Yogananda. The cover typography, publisher imprint (“Yogoda and Sat-Sanga, Los Angeles”), and 1926 date align with known early Yogananda pamphlets circulated at lectures and classes before the Self-Realization Fellowship name became standard. Collectors of SRF/Yogananda materials value early editions; condition and completeness of the interior will materially affect value. A word about fakes.. Early spiritualist pamphlets are sometimes later reprints or photocopy/digital reproductions made to look old; confirm period staples (oxidation), paper stock, and printing method (letterpress impression vs. modern halftone/digital dot pattern) before treating it as period-printed.
Individual Images:
whole item
Provenance:
No provenance provided.
Condition:
Very Good (clean cover with light edge wear and small specks; interior and staples not shown; not officially graded)
Identification Score: 95%
The cover clearly states title, authors, edition (Eighth), publisher, place (Los Angeles), and date (1926), matching documented Yogananda/Yogoda pamphlets; design features (orange wrapper, border rule, lotus emblem) are consistent with period examples.
Authenticity Score: 70%
The booklet appears consistent with period presentation, but only the front cover is shown and the paper looks relatively fresh. Without seeing staple oxidation, interior typography, or paper aging, it’s prudent to assume possible later reprint until verified. Check for letterpress bite, period staples, aged paper tone, and any SRF/YSS accession stamps or contemporary pencil pricing.
Image Memory Note
Object: Small pamphlet/booklet with orange/ochre paper wrapper set within a single thin black rule border. Title at top in bold sans-serif capitals: “YOGODA”. Below, smaller serif text lines read: “OR / A System for / Physical, Mental and Spiritual Perfection / The Highest Technique of Concentration / and Meditation / Spiritualization of the Body”. Midpage attribution in bold small caps: “Originated and Taught by SWAMI YOGANANDA, A. B. OF INDIA” followed by smaller line “Swami Dhirananda, M. A., Associate.” Centered small emblem below—the design resembles a lotus with a central eye-like motif. Under emblem, italic line: “Eighth Edition.” Imprint at the bottom: “Published by / YOGODA AND SAT-SANGA / LOS ANGELES / 1926.” No visible spine; likely staple-bound (staples not visible from the front). Condition notes visible: light scattered tiny specks/foxing on the cover field; corners moderately sharp; no tears seen; very slight edge wear. Background: item rests on textured gray fabric with other books/papers beneath (one with blue diagonal stripes). No other inscriptions, stamps, or owner marks visible on the cover. No interior pages shown.
Keywords
Yogoda, Swami Yogananda, Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Dhirananda, Sat-Sanga, Self-Realization Fellowship, yoga pamphlet, spiritualism, meditation, 1926, Los Angeles, United States, early 20th century ephemera
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
Share: