Elbert Hubbard and L.Ron Hubbard

A common question about Elbert Hubbard is if he is related to L. Ron Hubbard of Scientology. (Scientology's members include famous Hollywood actors such as John Travolta and Tom Cruise.)

A few stories persist: One states that L. Ron Hubbard was a nephew of Elbert by the adoption of his father into the Hubbard family. L. Ron's father, Harry Ross Hubbard, was born Henry August Wilson but was adopted as an orphan by a Mr. and Mrs. James Hubbard of Iowa. Elbert, therefore, was an uncle (but not by blood).

L. Ron Hubbard was so impressed with his uncle Elbert Hubbard's accomplishments that in 1956 he dedicated the ninth printing of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health to him. L. Ron Hubbard was born in 1911. Elbert Hubbard died in 1915. It is unknown but doubtful they ever met.

But L. Ron Hubbard was known to elaborate on his background, and it is said he used the popularity of Elbert’s name to promote his own causes.

NOTE: As of right now, we have no record of a Mr. and Mrs. James Hubbard of Iowa in Elbert Hubbard’s family tree. So there currently is no proof to this story.

Comments

[Don Meade]

I have in my posession a DVD produced by Sciencology featuring L. Ron Hubbard reading "The Message to Garcia", I've been told by church members that this is required reading.

[Pete Formiller]

L. Ron Hubbard read "A Message to Garcia" in the first lecture of the Special Course in Human Evaluation on August 13, 1951 in Wichita, Kansas.

[Elaine Jessen]

I have an original copy of Health and Wealth, leather cover with 2 photographs, one a portrait the other with a woman seated at desks. Obviously a collector item Is it valuable?

[Susan, RCC Blogger]

We do not have appraisers at the RCC to help with valuing Roycroft articles. Original records regarding print runs was destroyed long ago. I recommend consulting an antique book dealer or Web site.
What information I do have about this book is from a "History of the Roycroft Print Shop and Bibliography" which lists every book printed and the specifics known:
"Health And Wealth by Elbert Hubbard, 7" X 4-3/8" 162 pages. Bound copy set in Scotch Roman. Printed in black and red on heavy laid paper. Photos of Elbert and Alice Hubbard tipped on blue stock sewn into signatures. Bound in decorated suede designed by Dard Hunter, paper boards with suede spine, Alicia, V4 levant and full decorated levant. An unnumbered edition was printed on Japan Vellum and bound in modeled leather."

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