Books Part 3: Catholic Books

There were quite a few older Catholic books in my Grandmother's box of saved books.

Catholic Prayer Book  no date- old

Leather cover with engraved gold cross/design  metal lock, part missing, taped binding, front pages missing

6 ¼" x 4" x 2 ½"

The Key of Heaven or A Manual of Prayers   1874  NY: Thomas Kelly, publisher

Stamp:  Owen McDonald  Rufus St & Reservoir Ave  Pawtucket, RI

Small, embossed leather cover, lock parts missing, metal edge around cover
4 ¾" x 3 ¼" x 1 3/8"

Books Part 2: Psychiana Religon

My Grandmother, Areknazan Harpootian Motian, had a collection of books about the Psychiana Religion. This mail order religion was started in 1928 in Moscow, Idaho. Dr. Frank B. Robinson, whose father was a Baptist priest, was dissatisfied with "church" religions.  He advertised that you could have a direct connection to God. My Grandmother subscribed to lessons which were received monthly for a couple of years- 1948-1950.  She also purchased almost all of the available books. Was Grandma in a Cult?!

Books Part 1: Armenian Language



A dictionary

English & Armenian, pub. in 1950

  I recently went to a fascinating Symposium on Armenians and the Book at ALMA in Watertown, MA.  One presentation showed books printed in the USA in Armenian for the Armenian immigrant community.  A few years ago, I was cleaning out a closet at my Mother's house, and brought home a couple of boxes of my Grandmother's books. I thought there might be a few books like those presented in the talk, so I got them out for a closer look. I categorize the books into five topics: Armenian Language,  Psychiana Religon, Catholic, Fiction and Nonfiction. I'll write about each category in separate posts. There were 5 books in the Armenian Language:

Not sure what it is, published in 1942

Stephen's Immediate Family



I think a little basic information is in order.  Stephen Motian was the oldest son of Kavork Motian (1855-1909 or 1915) and Varter Bernazian (d.1892).  He had one older sister, Maryam (1875-1968), two brothers, Serop (1890-1943) and Kerop (1892-1959), two half brothers, Hagop (1907-1983) and Armenak (1901-1976) and a stepsister Rebbeca (1892-1978).  His stepmother was "Marne" Varter Kapougian (1874-1944).  I do not know of any photos of Kavork or Varter. 

l to r back Hagop, Rebbeca, Armenak
l to r front Maryam, Marne

This great photo was taken in France around 1925.  Thank you to Rebbeca's son for sending me a copy.  This is the only photo I know of of Marne and Maryam.



Kerop, Stephen and Serop Motian

Above are Kerop, Stephen and Serop taken between 1910 and 1913.  It was popular to put together photos of family members who couldn't be together.  It was the Photoshop of the early 20th century!