Description
This collection contains archival materials and rare books related to Alfred and Bernice Ligon as the proprietors and founders
of The Aquarian
Bookshop and Aquarian Spiritual Center in Los Angeles, CA; their interests in African American history and culture; and
studies and teaching
of metaphysics, occultism and black gnostic studies. The archival collection concentrates on the operations and events of
the Book Shop,
curriculum of the Spiritual Center, and African American culture. The rare book collection focuses on African American history
and culture;
literature and poetry by black authors; Africa and pan-Africanism; and metaphysics, the occult, spirituality, and gnostic
studies. Included in
the collection are published books and periodicals, small press poetry books and chapbooks, manuscripts, pamphlets, ephemera,
newspaper clippings,
administrative papers, photographs, film negatives, cassette tapes, film and audio reels, VHS tapes, and digital media.
Background
Alfred and Bernice Ligon were the founders of the Aquarian Spiritual Center, metaphysical studies scholars and teachers, owners
of the longest
running black owned book store in the country at the time of its closing, and community leaders. Alfred was born on April
5th 1906 in Atlanta,
Georgia, and moved to Chicago at the age of ten. There he worked as a printer, performed as a clown, and managed a Theater
and school. Alfred’s
interest in the metaphysical began in the 1920s listening to Evangeline Adams' radio show on astrology, and he later founded
the Society of the
Circle of Nine focusing on divine science and philosophy. In 1936 he moved to Los Angeles to study with The Brotherhood
of Light and Esoteric
Studies, and Marc Edmond Jones’ Sabean Assembly. In Los Angeles he worked as a railroad porter and managed a dancing school
with his sister
Jeni Le Gon. Around this time he read a version of the bible called The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus Christ, which became the foundation for his
philosophy and the inspiration for the name of the book store. In 1941 he opened the Aquarian Book Store and Library on
East Jefferson Ave in
Los Angeles with $100 he saved working as a railroad porter.
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and
Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials
and not
intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.