My special thanks to the people at Weiser Antiquarian for permission to reproduce their latest fascinating booklist, here on LAShTAL.COM.
Most of the list comprises a selection of Crowley First Editions that were once a part of the library of Ray Burlingame (1893-1965), a IX° member of Agape Lodge of the Ordo Templi Orientis.
There is a wealth of bibliographic and biographic information here, not to mention the opportunity to purchase some extraordinary items…
The Ray Burlingame Collection & Other Books by Aleister Crowley
An Illustrated version of this Catalog, with numerous photographs, can be found at: http://www.weiserantiquarian.com/catalog/
Welcome to this, our second Internet catalog. The catalog is in four main sections, the first of which details a remarkable selection of Crowley First Editions that were once a part of the library of Ray Burlingame (1893-1965), a IX° member of Agape Lodge of the Ordo Templi Orientis. The second section lists two biographies of related interest, the third is a grouping of the rare ‘editions de Luxe’ of Crowley’s Equinox, and the fourth a small miscellany of Crowleyana. Further information about this catalog – and how to purchase books from it, can be found at the end of the listings.
Of course this catalog represents only a small percentage of our Crowley holdings. Many other Crolwey and related works can be found on our website at:
http://www.weiserantiquarian.com where we currently have over 13,000 esoteric etc. books listed, with new stock added weekly.
(Please NOTE – the books in this catalog have not yet been incorporated into that database, so are not listed there)
a) Books from the Library of Ray Burlingame.
Weiser Antiquarian Books is proud to offer for sale a selection of important works by Aleister Crowley, from the personal library of Ray Burlingame (1893-1965) of California.
A former member of C. F. Russell’s ‘Gnostic Body of God,’ Burlingame joined Agape Lodge of the Ordo Templi Orientis in 1941, taking the magical name of ‘Frater Aquarias. ‘ He engaged in correspondence with Crowley, attained the IX°, and remained a committed Thelemite and practitioner of the magic for the rest of his life.
The small but significant collection of Crowley’s works that he gathered together was central to his belief and practice: to him the books were not simply objects, but an essential part of his magical arsenal. Others coveted Burlingame’s books on account of the power that they represented, and after his death the family home was burgled and part of the library was stolen.
Fortunately the theft was not total and his wife, Mildred, was left with a core group that included some of their most valued volumes. Amongst these was a rare copy of the private edition of Crowley’s Olla, (20 copies only!) with a superb full-page presentation inscription to the family from Crowley, a copy of the magnificent First Edition of The Book of Thoth and a number of other treasures. On her death the collection was passed to another family member, and thence to the present owner, who eventually decided to make it available for public sale through Weiser Antiquarian Books.
We have chosen to offer the books for sale as single items, rather than as a lot, knowing that this will enable a number of people – rather than just one individual or institution – to enjoy their ownership, and to share the sense of history that goes with them.
We did, however, want to preserve a record of the collection for posterity, and as a memorial to Ray Burlingame himself, and to this end we have produced a limited-edition printed catalog. In addition to descriptions and photographs of the books, it includes a biographical essay on Ray Burlingame, especially written for it by our friend, Martin Starr. Amongst his many accomplishments Martin is well-known as the author of The Unknown God, the biography of Burlingame’s friend and mentor Wilfred T. Smith. We strongly recommend this book to those interested in Burlingame and his circle, and are pleased to advise that we have signed copies available for sale (details below). Martin has also kindly allowed us to reproduce here and in the printed catalog a photograph of Ray Burlingame that appears in The Unknown God.
Only forty-four copies of the printed catalog have been produced. Of these, one copy will be given gratis to the purchaser of each of the twenty books here offered for sale, with the remaining twenty-four copies reserved for private distribution. Each of the books in the collection also contains a loosely-inserted bookplate that identifies it as having come from the library of Ray Burlingame.
Ray Burlingame loved his books and doubtless appreciated the talismanic significance and resonance of the fine editions. But first and foremost he was a practicing magician, and this was a working library. Almost all of the books show signs of use, usually very light, but sometimes not so. Where such signs of use exist they are of course noted in the accompanying description. Burlingame would also lend out books to select students and friends, and many of these volumes have his ownership signature, and sometimes his address or addresses, as a way of ensuring their return. These will now surely serve as reminders of the books’ provenance and history to their new owners, who, we hope, will get the same pleasure and service from the volumes that Ray Burlingame once did.
Instructions on how to order from this list can be found at the end of this page. Obviously these books are one-of-a-kind, and it is advisable to place your order swiftly if you wish to secure a particular volume. Orders will be processed strictly on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
1). Aleister Crowley. Olla. An Anthology of Sixty Years of Song. London: The O.T.O., 1946. Limited edition, Signed and Numbered. Hardcover, Large Quarto, [ii] + 128 + [ivpp blanks]Inscribed by Crowley. One of a special edition of twenty copies ‘for the author and his helpers’ printed on mould-made paper, and bound in half-leather with papered boards with Egyptian motif by Sangorski & Sutcliffe as was The Book of Thoth. Top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed, gilt title down spine, frontis portrait of Crowley by Augustus John, Frieda Harris designed dustjacket from the Trade Edition bound in at rear. Lavish signed presentation inscription to Ray Burlingame from Crowley on the front free end paper, and signed again by Crowley under the portrait.. The inscription reads ‘To my well loved Roy, Mildred, + Laylah Burlinghame from Aleister Crowley June 7, ’47.’ Or course the recipient’s first name was ‘Ray’ and not ‘Roy.’ and his surname ‘Burlingame’ not ‘Burlinghame,’ though Crowley might be forgiven as he clearly had other things on his mind – the inscription was done on the same day that he signed his Last Will and Testament. The boards have a little shelfwear, with the extremes of the points rubbed through and slightly rounded, and there are a few discolored patches – slightly larger than a thumbprint – to the leather of the spine. The leather on the top hinge is starting to split – about 2 inches up from the bottom and 2 inches down from the top, but the board is still firmly secured. It is still a solid, attractive copy of a magnificent and scarce book. It comes with a recent custom-made matching quarter-leather clamshell protective box, especially commissioned from Sangorski & Sutcliffe, the same company that did the original binding. (25703) $6,250.00
2). Aleister Crowley. The Book of Lies. [Full title:] Liber CCCXXXIII (333), The Book of Lies Which is Also Falsely Called BREAKS the Wanderings or Falsifications of the One Thought of Frater Perdurabo Which Thought is itself Untrue. London, England: Wieland and Co., 1913. First edition. Hardcover, 16 mo, 132 pp., Original black cloth with gilt titling on spine and title within an elaborate Egyptian-themed decorative border on the front cover. Errata slip facing p. 61. Black and white photographs of Crowley (on donkey) and Leila Waddell . Ray Burlingame’s ownership signature and various addresses cover most of the front pastedown. Overall light wear to the cloth, which is a little rubbed at the folds and edges, and a little more heavily so at the points. Endpapers darkened. Overall V.G. or better (no dustjacket – none issued) (25690) $1,200.00
3). Aleister Crowley . The Book Of The Law. [technically called Liber AL vel Legis, sub figura CCXX as delivered by XCIII = 418 to DCLXVI]. Pasadena: Privately issued: The O.T.O. / Church of Thelema, 1938 [1942]. First U.S. Edition. Softcover, small 8vo ( 5 x 6 1/2 inches) 50pp. (+ 6pp adverts at rear) Booklet stapled in gilt-stamped blue wrappers, with title and A.: A.: sigil gilt stamped on upper wrapper. The First U.S. Edition of The Book of the Law. Although the title page bears the date 1938 which is taken from the British edition, this US edition was not published until 1942. With a small typed slip of paper with the ownership name of Mildred Burlingame pasted over the words ‘Church of Thelema / 1003 S. Orange Grove Avenue, Pasadena Calif. ‘ on the title-page. All else Near Fine. (25712) $750.00
4). Aleister Crowley. The Book of Thoth A Short Essay on the Tarot of the Egyptians, being the Equinox Volume III No. V. London: OTO / Chiswick Press Ltd., 1944. First edition, Signed and Numbered. Hardcover, Quarto, xii + 288 + [iv] pp. The First Edition of this significant work. Limited to 200 number copies signed by Crowley, this being copy No. 172 signed with his full signature: ‘Aleister Crowley.’ Original magnificent half-leather binding with papered boards with Egyptian motif by Sangorski & Sutcliffe. Gilt title and designs to spine, tipped in color plates, b&w illustrations. Printed by the Chiswick Press on Arnold Unbleached paper. Ray Burlingame’s his name and five different addresses written in a bold hand across the front pastedown. About 20 pages have some light tea (?) stains to them, ranging from at worst a splash that reaches across much of a page, to (in most cases) a few drops. These are light, and have had no effect other than to slightly discolor the page in question. The boards have a little shelfwear, with the extremes of the points rubbed through and slightly rounded, and there are a few discolored patches – slightly larger than a thumbprint – to the leather of the spine. Despite these signs of use, it is still a solid, attractive copy of a magnificent book, with an interesting provenance. It comes with a recent custom-made matching quarter-leather clamshell protective box, especially commissioned from Sangorski & Sutcliffe, the same company that did the original binding. (25702) $5,750.00
5). [Aleister Crowley] writing as The Rev. C. Verey, Clouds Without Water. London [Actually Paris]: Privately Printed 1909, First edition. Wrappers, Small 8vo. xxii + 144pp. Original mottled salmon-coloured soft paper wrappers, with title across upper wrapper, lettered up spine, and with publisher’s device in centre of rear wrapper (all printed in black). Printed on machine made paper. Clouds Without Water has a complex publishing history. Despite the statement on the title page that it was published in London, the book was actually printed by Renouard of Paris (who had earlier published Crowley’s obscene homo-erotic parody, the Bagh-I-Muatta.) The book is poetry with some erotic undertones – which is presumably why Crowley playfully published it under the name of a fictitious Priest “The Rev. C. Verey” and had the words “Privately Printed for Circulation Amongst Ministers of Religion” printed on the title page! A triangle of paper slightly bigger than a thumb-nail has been torn from the bottom corner of the front wrapper, there are a couple of small splits and chips around head and tail of spine, and one crack and a few creases running the length of the spine. Pages evenly toned, otherwise VG. Very scarce in this condition – the wrappers of Clouds Without Water are soft and very, very fragile. On the rare occasions when the book is found it is often rebound. Copies like this, in the original wrappers are truly difficult to find. (25707) $850.00
6). Aleister Crowley. The [Collected] Works of Aleister Crowley (3 Volumes in 1). Foyers: Society for the Propagation of Religious Truth, , 1905 – 1907. First Edition Thus. Hardcover, Three volumes in one, 8vo, Vol. I: x + 270pp, Vol, II: viii (+ 2) + 282pp, Vol: III viii + 248pp. Original gilt stamped limp buckram boards. Printed on India paper. Top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. This is the single volume edition of the “Essay Competition” issue of the Collected Works (the words “Essay Competition Copy” are printed on the page facing the title page). This was simply and cheaply produced (without plates) so that it could be distributed soon after printing to anyone planning on entering the competition for the best essay on his own works, which Crowley was then running. Erased, but still faintly visible on the front pastedown, are the ownership signature and address of Regina Kahl, (1891-1945) long-serving High Priestess of the California Agape Lodge, and one of the participants in the first public performance of the Gnostic Mass held in 1933. Boards discolored and with a crease and what appears to be a ‘cup ring’ on the front board. The cloth on the front hinge is rubbed and splitting, although the inside hinges are solid and keeping the book tight. Clearly a much-used but still solid copy. (25710) $850.00
7). Aleister Crowley [Writing as: Mahatma Guru Sri Paramahansa Shivaji]. Eight Lectures on Yoga (The Equinox Volume III, Number Four). London, England: The O.T.O., 1939. First edition. Hardcover, Large Quarto (11 ¾ x 9″) Original cloth with title and sigil gilt stamped on upper board, 84pp (+ 4pp. adverts.) Edges untrimmed. Erratum tipped in at p. 84. Portrait frontispiece, 1 diagram (Tree of Life). Ray Burlingame’s name and that of his first wife, Betty (crossed out!) and their address on the front pastedown. Cloth chafed and rubbed at head and tail of spine and points, some light shelfwear. Light ink thumbprint on ffep, portrait page darkened (apparently by offsetting from the ‘protective’ tissue guard), one gathering has sprung, but is still attached. Otherwise a clean, VG copy (lacks dustjacket). (25675) $1,000.00
8). Aleister Crowley. The Equinox Vol. I, Numbers I – X. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. / Aleister Crowley , Equinox Offices / Wieland & Co , 1909 – 1913. First Edition – ‘Standard Issue’ . Hardcovers. 10 Volumes. First Edition ‘Standard Issue.’ A complete set of the ten numbers which make up the first series (or ‘volume’) of The Equinox, published biannually between 1909 & 1913. This set is the ‘Standard’ issue, which comprised an edition of 1000 copies for the early numbers, and less (probably 500) for the later, bound in light linen spines with paper-covered boards and paper title-labels on the spines. Crowley was of course the editor and principal author of most of the volumes of The Equinox, which contained a variety of poetry, fiction, and reviews – generally with esoteric themes – alongside a number of articles of occult instruction. It is widely acknowledged as one of the landmarks of occult literature, and comprises ten huge volumes – over 4400 pages – including numerous color and black and white illustrations, tables etc. The cloth backed paper-covered boards of this edition are notoriously fragile, and several have been professionally rehinged, with the original backstrips laid down. The backstrips themselves have a rather mottled appearance, which again is not unusual, and most of paper spine labels are intact. Boards a little grubby, and often with rounded corners, as virtually always. Overall it is a clean, better than average, near-VG set. (25691) $3,250.00
9). Aleister Crowley. The Equinox, Volume III, No. 1 [The Blue Equinox] . Detroit, Michigan: Universal Publishing Company, 1919. First edition. Hardcover, Large 8vo. Rubricated title page. 308 + 132pp. (+ viii pp adverts.) Blue cloth with red eye in triangle design on front board, red titling etc. to front board and spine. Color frontis portrait of Crowley by Leon Engers Kennedy, and color reproduction of Crowley’s painting May Morn, plus 5 black and white plates, all with original captioned tissue guards. Cloth quite discolored and faded, boards rubbed at edges, cloth splitting on rear hinge – about 2 inches down from the top and the same up from the bottom, though the board is still firmly attached. Pages a little age darkened as usual, with some light scattered foxing. A solid, Good only copy. (25693) $600.00
10). Aleister Crowley. The Gospel According to St. Bernard Shaw. Barstow California.: Thelema Publishing Company, 1953. First edition. Hardcover, Quarto, [viii]+ 238pp, Original maroon textured limp boards, with simple gilt titling, 10 ring spiral back strip securing the quarto sheets which make up the text block. A fascinating study of Christianity by Crowley, built around a critique of Shaw’s ‘Androcles and the Lion.’ Published by Crowley’s follower, Karl Germer. The print run of this first edition almost certainly did not exceed 100 copies. The first twenty pages are out of sequence, but are all present (presumably they got shuffled in the ‘binding’). Otherwise a VG+ copy of a scarce work. (no dustjacket – none issued) (25714) $850.00
11). Aleister Crowley. Jephthah; and Other Mysteries Lyrical and Dramatic. London, England: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner and Co., 1899. First edition. Hardcover, large 8vo, 224pp. Cream cloth spine with brick-red paper covered boards, paper spine label. Crowley’s verse-play, ‘Jephthah, ‘ along with the collection of plays-in-verse and poetry which comprise the ‘Mysteries, Lyrical and Dramatic.’ The edition comprised 1,000 copies printed thus, on machine-made paper, with an additional 6 printed on India paper, bound in buckram. A near VG copy. The corners are rubbed and rounded, the spine is darkened, and the paper spine label chipped with loss (though about 80% present). Internally it is clean, tight and unmarked. (25677) $475.00
12). [Aleister Crowley, writing as:] Khaled Khan. The Heart Of The Master. London: Privately issued by the O.T.O., 1938 . First edition. Hardcover, Small 8vo. 40pp. ( + viii pp. adverts at rear) Original yellow buckram, black stamped title and sigil on front board. Ray Burlingame’s ownership details on front free endpaper. Crowley wrote the bulk of The Heart of the Master in 1925, although the book was not published until 1938 when it appeared in this edition, in a print run which some have said was as small as a 100 copies (whatever it was, there is no doubt that it was small as this is a genuinely scarce book). Buckram a trifle marked (as always), pages uniformly toned, otherwise a VG+ copy. (No dustwrapper – as far as is known none were issued). (25720) $1,250.00
13). Aleister Crowley. Konx Om Pax Essays in Light. London & Boleskine: Walter Scott Publishing / Society for the Propagation of Religious Truth, 1907. First edition. Hardcover, 8vo (8″ x 6 3/4″), xii [+ ii] + 108pp [+ 12 pp adverts]. Frontis with tissue guard. Yorke 56. Original white buckram, with intricate highly stylized title design of book’s title stamped in gilt to upper board. Limited to 500 numbered copies, though this copy is not numbered. About half the print run was bound in black buckram with white printing (symbolising light out of darkness), with the other half bound in gilt stamped white buckram, thus. Ray Burlingame’s ownership signature and a variety of his addresses written on the front pastedown. As always the boards are darkened, corners lightly bumped, and there is a slight bubble to cloth on rear board. Endpapers lightly toned, some offsetting to the title page from the frontis, internals otherwise bright and clean. A very good clean copy. (25678) $950.00
14). Aleister Crowley. Little Essays Toward Truth. London: The O.T.O., 1938. First edition. Hardcover, small 8vo, 96 + viii pp adverts. Original blue cloth, gold stamped title and sigil on front board. Fold out Tree of Life design at rear. Essays, Kabbalistic, Magical and Philosophical: an interesting collection by Crowley at his mature best. Ray Burlingame’s ownership signature and various addresses on the front free endpaper. A Good copy only. The spine has been reinforced with clear adhesive tape, the cloth is a little discolored and the gilt work obscured, the boards are rubbed at the edges, particularly at the points and on the lowers section of the foreedge of the top board, where the cloth is rubbed through. Internally it is a good, tight and clean, (lacks dustjacket). (25682) $450.00
15). Aleister Crowley Foreword by Karl J. Germer. Magick Without Tears. Hampton, New Jersey: Thelema Publishing Company, 1954. First edition. Hardcover, Large Quarto, [vi – blanks]+ xxx pp + 400pp, Original maroon binder’s cloth, with simple gilt titling. Errata leaf loosely inserted at rear. Ray Burlingame collection, with his name and address on ffep. Crowley first intended to entitle this book ‘Aleister Explains Everything’ – for it is in essence his personal commentary on magical work and training, offered in the simplest and most straightfoward temrs, in the form of 80 letters addressed to students. It was first published by Crowley’s follower, Karl Germer, in this edition, with a print-run that almost certainly did not exceed 100 copies. The work has subsequently been reprinted, but the editor Israel Regardie, removed much text which he he felt to be redundant, and this remains the only complete edition. Hint of fading to the spine, and a little minute shelfwear to the boards, still a VG+ copy. (no dustjacket – none issued) (25713) $1,250.00
16). Aleister Crowley . 777. Vel Prolegomena Symbolica Ad Systemam Sceptico-Mysticae Viae Explicandae, Fundamentum Hieroglyphicum Sanctissimorum Scientiae Summae. London: Walter Scott Publishing, 1909. First Edition. Hardcover, 8vo, x pp [+ ii pp tipped-in errata] + 54pp [+ iv pp adverts] . Limited to 500 copies. Original red buckram, bevelled edges. Complete with the rare loosely-inserted Tree of Life diagram with additional errata on verso and the detachable subscription form for the Equinox bound in at the rear of the volume. Yorke 57. The first edition of Crowley’s often reprinted Qabalistic compendium. One of the classics of twentieth century occultism. Copies with both the Tree of Life diagram (which being loosely inserted was often lost) and the detachable advert intact are increasingly scarce. Cloth lightly discolored in places, corners a little bumped and rubbed, cloth missing a sliver from head of spine, endpapers slightly browned, still a Very Good copy. (25705) $1,700.00
17). Aleister Crowley. 777 Revised Vel Prolegomena Symbolica Ad Systemam Sceptico-Mysticae Viae Explicandae, Fundamentum Hieroglyphicum Sanctissimorum Scientiae Summae. A Reprint of 777 with Much Additional Matter by the Late Aleister Crowley. London: The Neptune Press, 1955 . First Edition thus. Hardcover. xxviii + 156pp. Demy 8vo. parchment spine with gilt-dec. buckram boards. Tables & hexagrams. Limited edition of 1100 copies. A reprint of the Qabalistic masterwork with much additional material, published by Crowley’s American student and occult heir Karl Germer in collaboration with Gerald Yorke a few years after the death of ‘the Beast.’ A hint of rubbing to the parchment spine, and corners lightly bruised, otherwise a beautiful, crisp, near-Fine copy (no dustwrapper, none issued). (25706) $300.00
18). Aleister Crowley. The Spirit of Solitude. An Autobiography. Subsequently re-Antichristened The Confessions of Aleister Crowley. The Mandrake Press, London, 1929, First Edition. Hardcover Volume I only (of 2 Vols). Quarto viii + 284pp. Original white buckram, gilt title and sigils on spines, stunning reproduction of a self-portrait sketch by Crowley and his “phallic ‘A’ signature” stamped in black on top board. Bevelled edges to boards. Teg. Printed on fine “Jap vellum.” Portrait frontispiece, plus plates & diagrams. Ray Burlingame’s ownership details on the front pastedown. The gilt work on the spine is a little dulled and the boards somewhat grubby as always. Pages a little darkened, and some offsetting to the titlepage from the portrait frontis. Otherwise this is a Very Good copy, tight, clean, and virtually free of foxing. No dustjacket (none issued). (25708) $900.00
19). Capt. J. F. C. Fuller [& Aleister Crowley]. The Star In the West. A Critical Essay Upon The Works of Aleister Crowley. London and Felling-on-Tyne: The Walter Scott Publishing Co,, 1907. First Trade Edition. Hardcover. 8vo. (x) + 328pp. (+ 4 pp catalogue of ‘Mr. Crowley’s Books….’ ) Original red buckram, elaborate seal and title on top board, and title, occult symbols etc. on spine heavily stamped in white. Frontispiece with original printed tissue guard, title page printed in red and black. The first ‘trade edition,’ (there was also a signed limited edition of 100 copies, signed by both Fuller and Crowley. As often the color has gone from the lettering on the spine but that on the front board is still clear and sharp. A few bumps to the edges, still a clean, tight, Very Good copy. (25686) $325.00
20). [Aleister Crowley, writing as:] The Master Therion Introduction by Frater E. N. L. [Israel Regardie]. The Vision and The Voice. Liber XXX Aerum Sub Figura CCCCXVIII Being of the Angels of the 30 Aethyrs. Barstow California.: Thelema Publishing Company, 1952. First edition. Hardcover, Large Quarto, [vi]+ 164pp, Original maroon textured limp boards, with simple gilt titling, and a 32 ring spiral back strip securing the quarto sheets which make up the text block. Includes the first publication of Crowley’s elaborate commentary on this important Enochian working. Published and with an Introduction by Crowley’s former Secretary and student, Israel Regardie. Genuinely scarce: this First Edition had a print-run that almost certainly did not exceed 100 copies. Small tear in the ‘cloth’ at the top of the spine, otherwise a VG+ copy of a scarce work. (no dustjacket – none issued) (25715) $900.00
b) Books Which Refer to Ray Burlingame and his Associates.
Ray Burlingame was involved in Thelema in America for two dozen years, and not surprisingly the recently-published biographies O.T.O. leaders W. T. Smith and Grady McMurtry both contain a number of references to him.
Martin P. Starr, The Unknown God: W. T. Smith and the Thelemites. Bolingbrook, IL: Teitan Press, Inc., 2003. First edition, Signed. ISBN: 0-933429-07-X. Hardcover large 8vo, xii + 416 pp, Blue cloth with gilt title, etc. to spine, gilt sigil on front cover, frontis, photographs. Signed by the author at the end of Prologue. The first documentary study of Aleister Crowley’s contemporary followers in North America, told through the life of their de facto leader, Wilfred Talbot Smith (1885-1957). Introduced to Crowley’s works by Charles Stansfeld Jones in Canada, Smith met Crowley only once, but their twenty year correspondence povided a major link between the Beast and his followers in the United States and Canada. Smith’s spiritual life centered first on the initiatic structure of the Order of the A.·.A.·., complemented by the emerging fraternal and social schemes of the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO). Smith followed Jones into a few all but-forgotten movements like the Universal Brotherhood and the Psychomagian Society. New / unused condition. Fine in Fine dustjacket. (25656) $50.00
J. Edward Cornelius. Red Flame A Thelemic Research Journal. Nos. 12 & 13: In the Name of the Beast. A biography of Grady Louis McMurtry, a disciple of Aleister Edward Crowley. Volume One 1918-1962 & Volume Two 1962 – 1985. Oroville, CA: Red Flame Productions / J.E. and Marlene Cornelius, 2005. First edition, limited. Softcovers. Two Volumes , 8vos, Vol. 1- 230pp, Vol. 2 – 230 pp, photographs, first printing of both volumes. Signed by the author. These two volumes contain the detailed biography of Crowley’s American disciple and former Caliph of the Ordo Templi Orientis, Grady Louis McMurtry. NEW Fine condition. (25210) $60.00
c) The Equinox. ‘Editions de Luxe.’
The following are examples of the rare cloth bound ‘Edition de Luxe’, of the First Volume of The Equinox series. These were available only to subscribers, most of whom were members of Crowley’s A.: A.: and only 50 copies of each number were bound thus. The copies of the ‘Edition de Luxe’ were distributed in advance of the ‘Standard’ volumes so it is also the true First Issue of The Equinox series. The ‘Edition de Luxe’ also has an additional color frontispiece (which repeats The Equinox coat of arms design used on the top board of the ‘Standard’ issue), and is of slightly larger format the ‘Standard’ issue as the page edges are not trimmed.
The volumes offered here were part of the set used for the first ever reprinting of The Equinox, which was undertaken by Samuel Weiser in 1972. To do this the text block was removed from the binding, and the pages photographed: it has since been expertly recased. Each page has a pencilled number at the top, and short directions to the printers are pencilled here and there throughout. Publisher’s and some other addresses, which were not considered relevant in 1972 have been obscured by having strips of paper pasted over them throughout the volumes, and in some cases these have offset causing browning to adjacent pages. A previous owner has also neatly inked the volume number in black roman numerals underneath the words ‘The Equinox’ on the spine. For the rest the books show the wear that one would expect to find on heavy volumes of this vintage that were obviously well read: the corners are lightly bumped, the spines are darkened, and the boards – being ivory-colored, are somewhat marked and grubby.
[Aleister Crowley et al]. The Equinox, Vol. I No I. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. Ltd., March 1909. First Edition – ‘Edition de Luxe’ – limited to 50 copies only, bound in original white buckram. Lge. 8vo., pp. (X) + 256 + 140 + (viii adverts) Ills. The contents of this volume include: An Account Of A.’. A.’., Liber Librae, Liber Exercitiorum, The Wizard Way, The Chymical Jousting Of Brother Perardua, At The Fork Of The Roads, The Magician, The Soldier And The Hunchback: ! And ?, The Hermit ,The Temple Of Solomon The King (Book I), The Herb Dangerous — (Part I) A Pharmaceutical Study. Also The Magic Glasses, by Frank Harris, The Lonely Bride by Victor B. Neuburg and a ‘Special Supplement’ comprising John St. John — The Record of the Magical Retirement of G. H. Frater O.’. M.’. . A Good only copy (see description above) (25607) $500.00
[Aleister Crowley et al]. The Equinox, Vol. I No III. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. , March 1910. First Edition – ‘Edition de Luxe’ – Hardcover. limited to 50 copies only, bound in original white buckram. Lge. 8vo., pp. xii + 332 + 76 + iv. Ills. This Number (III) is of particular significance, as it exhibits an earlier (different) state of the text, to that in the ‘Standard Issue’ – thereby confirming the ‘Edition de Luxe’ as the true ‘first state’ of The Equinox. At the time of the publication of Number III Crowley’s mentor in the Golden Dawn, S. L. MacGregor-Mathers, was in dispute with him over his use of previously unpublished Golden Dawn material in The Equinox series. Mathers obtained an order restraining Crowley from releasing the newly printed third number in anticipation of another legal action in which he hoped to prevent stop Crowley from making further use of the material. The copies of the ‘Edition de Luxe’ had already been sent out to subscribers when the order not to publish came through. When shortly afterwards Crowley had the order restraining publication dissolved by the Court of Appeal, he released the ‘Standard’ edition, though in the meantime he had rewritten the text of the Editorial, so that it included a paragraph explaining Mather’s action and the consequent delay in the release of the issue. The original editorial leaf was removed from the ‘Standards’ and this new one tipped into its place. A Good only copy (see description above) (25605) $650.00
[Aleister Crowley et al]. The Equinox, Vol. I No VI. London,: Wieland & Co. , September 1911. First Edition – ‘Edition de Luxe’ . Hardcover. – limited to 50 copies only, bound in original white buckram. Lge. 8vo., pp. (viii) + 170 + vi + 124 + (viii adverts) Ills. The contents of this volume include: Liber X,, Liber XVI, Liber XC, Liber CLVI, Liber CC, Liber CCCLXX, Three Poems for Jane Cheron, The Dangers of Mysticism, etc etc. as well as poetry by Victor Neuburg and a ‘Special Supplement’ comprising Crowley’s ‘The Rites of Eleusis.’ A Good only copy (see description above) (25606) $500.00
d) Aleister Crowley: a Miscellany of Related Works.
Special Offer:
Charles Baudelaire (Translated by Aleister Crowley. Edited by Martin P. Starr). Little Poems in Prose. Chicago, IL: The Teitan Press, 1995. First Edition Thus. Hardcover, sm.4to, xvi + 132 pp, Quarter maroon cloth w/ yellow papered boards, gilt title, etc. to spine, frontis, illustrations. A new edition edited and with a foreword by Crowley scholar Martin P. Starr. This new edition contains much new material, including the text of the manuscript corrections made by Crowley in his own copy, plus reproductions of eight previously unpublished drawings by Crowley. Baudelaire and the Beast at their best – a memorable and haunting book. Old New stock. Hint of shelfwear (a few dusty marks) otherwise Fine. (25920) $35.00
An Interesting Recent Publication:
Arnoldo Krumm-Heller, Foreword by Parsival Krumm-Heller and Edited by Stephen J. King. Logos Mantram Magic. Sydney & Melbourne: [ House ] 418 / Helios Books, 2005. First Edition thus. Softcovers, 8vo. xx + 90pp. Ills. SIGNED by Stephen J. King. The first English translation of a work by Krumm-Heller’s which was originally published in Spanish and German in 1930. Krumm-Heller was a charismatic figure, founder of the Fraternitas Rosicruciana Antiqua, who had live and travelled in Latin America and sought to fuse local esoteric traditions with those of the West. He was also a student of Theodor Reuss, Papus, and Crowley, and this volume is published under the house imprint of the Australian O.T.O. New book. Fine. (25919) $30.00
A few Thelemic Journals:
J. Bailey, D. Hall, & M. Magee, Editors [Material by Aleister Crowley, John Dee et al]. Sothis: Vol. II no. II. Magazine of the New Aeon. London: Sothis, 1970s. First edition. Softcover. 8 x 11 wrappers, 122 pp + adverts., A Thelemic journal associated with the Typhonian OTO. It includes the first known publication of Crowley’s Elixir of Life (the version with the text beginning ‘Although I was admitted..’), as well as translations of Liber OZ into 6 non-English languages, and the John Dee text known as Sloane ms. 3191. Bumped and a little frayed at foot of spine, a few small tears and creases at the edges of the wrappers which also show a few light marks. Otherwise a G+ solid copy, with tight clean text. (12398) $50.00
Eric Clarke (Publisher and Editor) Kenneth Grant and Hymenaus Beta contribute to: Aeon IV ( Spring, 1987 ). Seattle, WA: Aeon Communications Incorporated, 1987. First edition. Softcover. Quarto., 76 pp, Ills. Includes brief letters from Hymenaeus Beta and Kenneth Grant, and various articles oy other authors: “The Elevenstar”, “Tantric Lunar Resonance”, “The Rebirth of Natural Medicine”, “Esoteric Magick and Erotic Mysticism” etc. Wrappers slightly rubbed, otherwise very good condition. (18891) $25.00
S.S. Adkins; Richard Aldrich (Ph.D.); Nick Rimshot; Thomas Chavez; Nema, and others. Aeon I (Spring, 1985). Seattle, WA: Aeon, 1985. First edition. Softcover., 4to, 124 pp, Articles include “What is Paganism?”, “What is Witchcraft?”, “Thelemick Magick: A Woman’s Way in the New Aeon”, “Tantric Cannabis Use in India”, and others. Illustrations. Previous owner’s signature on first page, a little very light wear to covers. Otherwise VG+. (18892) $30.00
Roy French (Guest Editor) (Articles by Aleister Crowley, Ray Sherwin, and Roy French). The New Equinox: Vol. 4, No. 1. East Morton, England: Morton Press, nd (circa late 1970’s). First Thus. Softcover. Stapled periodical, 4to, 40 pp + 6 pp of adverts, ills. Contains a number of essays etc. by and about Crowley including: “The Yoke”, “The Cephaloedium Working”, “An Invokation of the Holy Spirit (Isis)”, a poem from the “Baghi Muattar”, “Liber Legis: The Comment” etc. Cheap ‘fanzine’ type production values. This copy was obviously a ‘review’ or ‘sample copy’ – it has ‘With Compliments’ and the original retail and wholesale price handwritten in ink on first blank. Otherwise near VG condition – the usual light wear one would expect for a flimsily produced magazine of this period. (19341) $30.00
[Aleister Crowley,] J. Edward and Marlene Cornelius, Red Flame a Thelemic Research Journal. No. 9: Aleister Crowley in the Public’s Eye. Berkeley, California: Red Flame / J. Edward and Marlene Cornelius 2001 (First Edition), 2001. First Edition. Softcover. Quarto xiv + 212 + (ii) pp Edition limited to 156 copies. Original printed wrappers. In this issue the Corneliuses have assembled and reprinted an astonishing number of contemporary newspaper and magazine accounts of the life of Crowley, ranging from a description of an ill-fated attempt to climb Kanchenjunga in 1905, to a selection of remembrances and obituaries published at his death. Fine. (25598) $100.00
[Aleister Crowley,] J. Edward and Marlene Cornelius, Red Flame a Thelemic Research Journal. Issue No. 3 Friends & Acquaintances of Aleister Crowley. Berkeley, California: Red Flame / J. Edward and Marlene Cornelius, 1996. First Edition / Limited. Softcover. Quarto x + 202 + (iv) pp (adverts] Edition, limited to 156 copies. Original printed wrappers. Another delightful issue of this valuable journal of Thelemic scholarship. “This issue contains forty nine chapters about individuals and their personal experiences with The Great Beast. It covers notables such as Aldous Huxley, Christopher Isherwood, Hemingway, Maugham, Ian Fleming, Montague Summers and William Seabrook, to name only a few.” As new, a Fine Copy. (25609) $150.00
Katon Shual & Alverda – editors. R. A. Gilbert & others contributors. Nuit-Isis Vol. I, Nos. 1 & 2. A JournAL of the NU EquiNOX [sic]. Oxford: Golden Dawn Publications, 1986 & 1987. First Editions. Softcovers. 8 x 11 stapled pictorial wraps, approx. 32, pp each. The first two issues of this interesting British Thelemic journal. They include both parts of R. A. Gilbert’s ‘Baphomet & Sons – A little known chapter in the life of 666,’ – an interesting study which quotes extensively from the unpublished ‘Golden Book’ of the O.T.O. Usual moderate wear to wrappers, still very good copies of difficult to find early issues. (25650) $80.00
Jim Lees & Carol A. Smith, (Editors). The New Equinox / The British Journal of Magick : Vol. 6 Part. 1. Staffordshire, England: Kaaba, 1981. First Edition. Softcover. Stapled periodical, 40 pp, ills. British Thelemically-orientated journal. It contains a number of essays etc. The Moon 93 by Fr. Abrahadabra, Commentary on the 418 / II:76 by ; Brother Leo, The Minor Adept Formula of the A.’.A.’., by Carol A. Smith etc. etc. Cheap ‘fanzine’ type production values. Otherwise near VG condition – the usual light wear one would expect for a flimsily produced magazine of this period. (25653) $30.00
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