Mashrak-el-Azkar, Descriptive of the Bahai Temple and Illustrative of an Exhibition of Preliminary Designs for the First Mashrak-el-Azkar to be Built in America, Showing Nine Varying Treatments in Different Styles of Architecture.

N.p.: Charles Mason Remy, 1920. First edition of this plan for the first great temple to be built in America. Quarto (8 1/2 x 11 inches). Title page (signed by Charles Mason Remey), 8[-9], 2 leaves of text (printed on rectos only) plus 16 leaves bearing tipped in photographic illustrations of a model for the proposed Temple (including 3 images of three temples that were used as inspiration). Publisher's quarter black cloth over terra-cotta boards with the temple name in black (this issue likely for institutions). This copy also bound in printed dark brown wrappers. Shelf label on the upper left corner of the stiff front, evidence of pocket removal to inner wrappers, Mason's gilt bookplate (this copy was bound for Holyoke College and bears their perforated stamp in three margins as well as their discard stamp). A very good copy.Mason Remey came from a distinguished American Episcopalian family, his father was Rear Admiral George Collier Remey, and was one of the first Americans to embrace Bahai. He accepted the faith in 1899. Remey studied architecture at Cornell University (1893–1896) without completing a degree, and the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris (1896–1903). From 1904 to 1908, he became an instructor of architecture at George Washington University. As an architect, he designed the Houses of Worship in Kampala and Sydney, both dedicated in 1961, as well as the International Archives building in Haifa. Remey was one of the most influential members of the faith in North America and the world. From Paris, Remey went on pilgrimage and met Abdu'l-Bahá first in February 1901, then in spring/summer that year Mírza Abu'l-Fa l visited Paris and taught the Baha ís there. He traveled extensively to lecture in the interests of the faith, visiting Iran, Russia, and Central Asia in 1908, and in 1910 became the first Baha í to circle the globe on teaching trips, along with his companion Howard Struven. Remey was included in Shoghi Effendi's (grandson of the founder of the faith and its head from 1921 to 1957) first contingent of 12 appointments to the rank of Hand of the Cause (not dissimilar to a bishop) in December of 1951. From 1903 to 1960 Remey served the faith with vigor and published many books and articles. This publication contains his thoughts on the temple to be built in Wilmette, thoughts both architectural and spiritual. This publication is well represented at numerous libraries and institutions in America but quite rare on the open market. Remey's fall from grace happened in April of 1960. Shoghi Effendi died in 1957 leaving the church somewhat rudderless. In 1960 Remey wrote an announcement that he was the successor to Shoghi Effendi, and requested that it be read at the upcoming national convention. For this presumption he was excommunicated. Some members took his side but they are all but gone now. He died in 1974 and was buried without any religious ceremony in Florence, Italy.The Baha í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois (or Chicago Baha í Temple) is a Baha í temple. It is the second Baha í House of Worship ever constructed and the oldest one still standing. It is one of eight continental temples, constructed to serve all of North America. The temple was designed by French-Canadian architect Louis Bourgeois (1856–1930), who received design feedback from Abdu'l-Baha during a visit to Haifa in 1920. To convey the Baha í principle of the unity of religion, Bourgeois incorporated a variety of religious architecture and symbols. Although Abdu'l-Baha participated in a ground-breaking ceremony in 1912 that laid a cornerstone, construction began in earnest in the early 1920s and was delayed significantly through the Great Depression and World War II. Construction picked up again in 1947, and the temple was finally dedicated in a ceremony in 1953. At the beginning there was some agitation among the citizens of Wilmette but that soon settled down and it is now a tourist attraction of some note.