Wanted: 'The Equinox' 10 volume bookset Weiser 1972 (1974??)

[xtransitx]

I'm looking for an affordable bookset of the 10 volume 'The Equinox' by Weiser Books.

I'm specifically looking for their first edition from 1972/1974. I'm not sure what year it was. It's the one with the drawing on the front cover.... Not the gold stripes.

I'm from Netherlands, Europe. A pricerahge i would can to pay is between 400-500 euro.

All the best, Johan.


Send me pm.

[MichaelStaley]

The first Weiser reprint came out in 1972. I remember ordering a set at the time, which was a lot of money for a young man still in the first flush of youth, struggling along on a pittance from British Telecoms as it then was. I still have the set and regard it as one of the foundational tomes of my library.

Subsequent reprints do come up on the market from time to time, though I think that the 1972 reprint goes for a bit more. Good luck; it's worth getting.

Best wishes,

Michael.

[xtransitx]

For a mint condition set i would want to pay more. But only if it's the Weiser 1972.

I have the 1992 Mandrake Press deluxe limited to 50 copies red marbled box-set. But i do not like how they made that one: the textblocks were glued, the text + images and drawings were very low resolution and came out very unclear. Aside from that, it looks beautifull with the gold finishing etc.

Oh yeah, they combined 2 volumes in one book. Which i'm not to happy about.

Therefor i prefer to buy the 10 volume bookset.

[lashtal]

The fairly-recent two-volume edition including all the text from the ten volumes plus some editorial apparatus (Crowley's notes, etc.) is a reasonable compromise. By necessity, it's printed on very lightweight paper which brings its own challenges, and the slipcase is rubbish, but the text is complete and it's still available at a reasonable price compared with the ten-volume reprints.

[666tsaeb]

Here's a nice set that sold recently, seems they settle in at about $700 these days. It was not too long ago that that went for $1100, up $1600 with The Blue Equinox included.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220837065396&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123   (I post this only because it closed)

I'd keep an eye out, they pop up from time to time. There is a ten Vol 1993 out there now at auction, and a 2 Vol 1998 in the Netherlands.

[gmugmble]

You might want to keep an eye on Weiser Antiquarian (or sign up for their mailing list). They occasionally have a set.

http://www.weiserantiquarian.com/cgi-bin/wab455/index.html

[MichaelStaley]

If I didn't have one already, I'd go for the ten-volume set. Seems a lot to pack into two volumes.

I have often reflected over the years how a great deal of the space is taken up with Crowley's stories, poetry and plays - which don't interest me personally, apart from the incomparable "The Testament of Magdalen Blair" - and that perhaps I should cash in and buy a copy of Gems instead. There's something compelling about the ten-volume set, though, and I'm happy to stick with it.

I'd definately supplement a set of the ten volumes with Vol III No 1, the Blue Equinox. With Crowley's Commentary on The Voice of the Silence, Achad's diary, and The Book of the Heart Girt with the Serpent, it's as good as any of the ten volumes.

Best wishes,

Michael.

[666tsaeb]

If I didn't have one already, I'd go for the ten-volume set. Seems a lot to pack into two volumes.

I will have to agree here, a set has passed through my hands and I could not comfortably imagine reading these blocks, even the spine when new seems shaken, and the paper can be likened to onion skin.

Here's one from Weiser Antiquarian (fairest price out there), and they even state: "in the original (flimsy) cardboard slipcase" just as Paul has noted in other terms:

[phthah]

93,

Subsequent reprints do come up on the market from time to time, though I think that the 1972 reprint goes for a bit more. Good luck; it's worth getting.

I agree with your opinion here Michael. I have this 10 volume set as well and I have really enjoyed it over the years. I certainly would recommend it. I have to say though that my set doesn't look nearly as clean as the set pictured above! I have also been slowly piecing together a First Edition set. However, I still need a number 7 to make it complete. That's a hard one to find though.
For me, I have found the 1972 e.v. set to be quite useful for general study and regular use. They have held together well. I only refer to my First Editions under special circumstances.

93 93/93
phthah

[lashtal]

I think I have one each of the various editions mentioned here. Forget 'Gems' - it's a very poor condensed version. The 1972 Weiser is good, very good, and the 2-volume edition is good, too. The Mandrake edition is very disappointing.

[xtransitx]

Here's a nice set that sold recently, seems they settle in at about $700 these days. It was not too long ago that that went for $1100, up $1600 with The Blue Equinox included.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220837065396&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123   (I post this only because it closed)

I'd keep an eye out, they pop up from time to time. There is a ten Vol 1993 out there now at auction, and a 2 Vol 1998 in the Netherlands.

Ha yes, that 10 volume set is the one i'm looking for. I would definatly buy it for the price the auction ended.

[xtransitx]

If I didn't have one already, I'd go for the ten-volume set. Seems a lot to pack into two volumes.

Best wishes,

Michael.

i agree, the 2 volume set is very unhandy to work/read with. Also, i guess the quality of the paper is way to thin.

Johan.

[wolf354]

93,
I have the Mandrake paperback edition, the quality is weak but the price was great, it was cheaper than the standard edition of "Gems".
Best regards,

[Treadwells]

Hi,
Don't know if you are sorted, but Treadwell's just got in a ten-volume set, 1972 Weiser, near fine condition. It is 600 GBP. Do contact us if interested on the main shop email.
Christina

[Walterfive]

I have the 1974 reprint with a 1-of-25 Mandrake & Holmes Blue Equinox reproduction from 2001 (or thereabouts).  If I were looking for a set, I wouldn't turn my nose up at the 1993 Weiser reprint if it's in very good or better condition. Those almost 30 year old Weiser faux white leatherette spines are getting a little brittle, at least mine are. I had a 1/8th inch tear occur the other day in the top of the spine when I pulled the book out of the bookcase the other day. Damn! Gotta be more careful!

Of course, I'll hang onto mine until the day I celebrate my Lesser Feast, or  the days comes in my retirement that I have to choose between it and keeping a roof over the *rest* of my 2000+ books...