Rare, 1920s, Greek Occult Pamphlet, Tahra-Bey Fakir, Mystical Magician Phenomena

Description

Rare Early Greek Occult / Fakirism Publication (Undated, ca. 1920s–1930s)

For sale is an exceptionally scarce Greek-language pamphlet titled “Ταχρα-Μπεης – Ο Τρομερός Φακίρης” (“Tahra-Bey – The Tremendous / Terrifying Fakir”), a rare contemporary publication devoted to the legendary stage fakir Tahra-Bey (real name: Krikor Kalfayan), a celebrated and often controversial performer active across Europe in the 1920s–1930s.

The booklet is undated and without place of publication, though the content and typography strongly suggest Athens, early–mid 20th century.

Item Details

• Title: Ταχρα-Μπεης – Ο Τρομερός Φακίρης
  (Tahra-Bey – The Tremendous Fakir)

• Language: Greek

• Publisher / Place: Not stated (likely Athens)

• Date: Undated (estimated 1920s–1930s)

• Pages: 62 pages (last page and rear cover missing)

• Binding: Original paper wraps

• Dimensions: 19 cm × 14 cm

• Condition: Fair vintage condition with age-related wear; front cover present, rear cover missing, last page incomplete. Please examine photos.

About the Publication

This rare booklet presents an extensive account of the astonishing feats attributed to Tahra-Bey, including trance states, insensitivity to pain, self-induced catalepsy, nail-piercing demonstrations, blindfold walking, and his famous staged “burial.” These themes reflect the period’s fascination with occultism, fakirism, and mystical physical endurance.

The cover text describes him as:

“The most curious phenomenon ever seen in Athens.
His pulse stops and his body becomes hard as stone.
Needles pierce his flesh without sensation.
He walks blindfolded upon a narrow line.
His burial astonishing all.
His life – how he became a fakir – fakiric occultism – and how these feats are explained.
Includes an interview with him.”

The booklet functions as part biography, part sensational reportage, and part popular occult exposition, reflecting the public excitement surrounding Tahra-Bey’s performances in Greece and Europe.

Historical Context

Tahra-Bey (Krikor Kalfayan) was an Armenian-born performer who adopted an “Egyptian fakir” persona and achieved widespread fame in the interwar years for his dramatic demonstrations of trance, invulnerability, and “mystical” abilities. He toured major European cities, including Paris, and gained a reputation as both a miraculous figure and a controversial showman.

Interest in him has revived in recent scholarship on interwar occultism and performance culture.

A Rare and Collectible Item

Publications about Tahra-Bey printed in Greece are extremely uncommon today, especially in their original bindings. This example is a valuable piece for collectors of:

• Occult & esoteric history

• Magic, illusionism & fakirism

• Interwar European popular culture

• Greek early 20th-century ephemeral prints

• Stage performance history