And Away We Go...

February 18, 2009 10:12 PM

There is a remarkable collection of books partially exhibited online at the Richter Library at the University of Miami. The library's physical exhibit includes a sample display of books on spiritual photography, clairvoyance, and a nice run of FATE Magazine. The collection contains over 1700 books and there is a full bibliography. You might ask, what's so special about this collection? Well, the books are all From the Library of Jackie Gleason.

Admittedly, this post will have limited appeal to those not interested in rare books, Jackie Gleason, and the occult...

posted by cinemafiend (13 comments total)

Chicago Ill

June 28-58

Dir Sir:

I seen an add in the fate magazine 50 ministers in every state I am interesting in that field would you please give me more information concering of this matter that I may be guided unto the right path of studying with your school.

I remain as ever

Joseph Malky
posted by gum at 10:19 PM on February 18 [1 favorite]

Bang! Zip! Here is the link to the full Jackie Gleason collection as viewed in the library catalog.
posted by cinemafiend at 10:38 PM on February 18

Thanks for this, cf. I knew that Jackie G. was a multi-faceted individual, but I did not know that he was a Seeker as well--I don't know why that should be surprising, however. I wonder if he had personal experiences with the occult--or with UFOs.
posted by rdone at 11:39 PM on February 18

I wonder if he had personal experiences with the occult--or with UFOs.

Beverly Gleason said that in the 1970's, President Nixon took Jackie (who he was friends with,) to an Air Force Base and showed him alien corpses.
posted by Snyder at 11:48 PM on February 18 [1 favorite]

I laughed shamefully when I saw the "to_the_moon" tag.
posted by Pope Guilty at 11:53 PM on February 18

Jackie Gleason read "books?"

Amazing...
posted by From Bklyn at 12:40 AM on February 19

Bang! Zip!

I coulda sworn it was a Zoom! not a Zip!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:53 AM on February 19

I guess the "Poor Soul" was also a poor "lost" soul.
posted by Faze at 4:05 AM on February 19

I coulda sworn it was a Zoom! not a Zip!
posted by flapjax at midnite

One of these days... One of these days... Pow - Right in the kisser!

You are indeed correct.
posted by cinemafiend at 6:50 AM on February 19

Any homoerotic materials about Art Carney? Hummina, hummina, hummina...
posted by jonp72 at 7:05 AM on February 19

Zooks. Looking into importing this into LibraryThings "I see Dead People's Books". They have a nice export option (cinemafiend's Bang Zip link).
posted by stbalbach at 7:18 AM on February 19

At least he wasn't a blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabermouth about his interest in this stuff.
posted by Guy_Inamonkeysuit at 7:39 AM on February 19

Huh, and I thought he was just using space travel as a metaphor for beating his wife.
posted by stet at 7:42 AM on February 19 [1 favorite]