In an extraordinary Catalog published today, Weiser Antiquarian are advertising for sale some truly remarkable items, including this astonishing original charcoal drawing by Aleister Crowley:
Aleister Crowley. An Original Charcoal Portrait Of A Woman (1930). Approx. 7 1/4 x 8 1/4 inches, on a sheet of buff-colored note paper. A nicely finished sketch of an unidentified woman with flapper hairstyle. Not signed or dated but a draft of letter in Crowley’s hand on the verso, almost certainly dates it to around 1930. The letter itself is of considerable interest: it is adressed to Robert Thynne (financial backer of the Mandrake Press), and presents Crowley’s humorously formulated proposal for a book entitled “Father Crowley’s Guide to Life.”
It’s customary at this point for me to offer wall space in my house for use by the purchaser!
There’s some amazing other items, too, including a typescript of the unpublished Book Of Oaths and some horoscope charts drawn by Crowley himself.
Read on for the full list, a link to a PDF version of the list, and a link to the Weiser Antiquarian catalog online.
Click here for a PDF version of the following list… By the way, please do not reproduce the Crowley drawing in print or online, thank you.
Note that the list in this News item is truncated – to see the full list you will need to refer to the PDF file or to the Weiser Antiquarian site.
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Weiser Antiquarian Books Catalog # 10.
Aleister Crowley: Books, Ephemera & A Drawing.
An illustrated version of this catalog, with numerous photographs, can be found at: http://www.weiserantiquarian.com/catalog/
Welcome to this, the tenth of our internet catalogs. Once again we are pleased to offer a selection of scarce and unusual works by and about Aleister Crowley. The first – and certainly the most eye-catching – of the pieces on offer is a rare charcoal sketch by the Beast: a portrait of an unidentified young woman with distinctive ‘flapper’ hair-style. Crowley’s poetic artistry is also well represented in the catalog, notably by a typescript copy of his unpublished, Book of Oaths, a signed typescript of his war-time poem ‘Rheims,’ and a number of First Editions of books of his verse, including signed and inscribed copies of Konx om Pax and The Collected Works, and a signed copy of his Fun of the Fair. Other interesting and unusual items include the manuscript draft of a letter from Crowley to the famous Himalayan explorer Sir Francis Younghusband, a small selection of horoscopes drawn up by Crowley, and a beautifully engraved O.T.O. Rose Croix Obligation and Affiliation Certificate, signed by Crowley and C. Stansfeld Jones.
Our next catalog will be a ‘Holiday Miscellany’ and will comprise a sampling of select new and used books from across a number of the areas that we stock. Many would make admirable gifts, either for oneself or for that very special friend. We anticipate posting the catalog on-line early in December. Future catalogs will focus on Alchemy, Ancient Egypt, John Dee, Witchcraft, Mythology, Theosophy, and other of our specialties.
As usual, information on how to purchase the books in this list, as well as links to our earlier catalogs, are included in a separate section at the end of this email.
For other books you can also always visit our website: http://www.weiserantiquarian.com where we currently.
Contents:
a) An Original Charcoal Sketch by Aleister Crowley.
b) Aleister Crowley – A Selection Of Typescripts.
c) Aleister Crowley: Manuscript Items.
d) Aleister Crowley: Printed Ephemera.
e) Books by and About Aleister Crowley.
f) Books about Aleister Crowley.
g) About this catalog & how to purchase from it.
a) An Original Charcoal Sketch by Aleister Crowley.
Aleister Crowley. An Original Charcoal Portrait Of A Woman (1930). Approx. 7 1/4 x 8 1/4 inches, on a sheet of buff-colored note paper. A nicely finished sketch of an unidentified woman with flapper hairstyle. Not signed or dated but a draft of letter in Crowley’s hand on the verso, almost certainly dates it to around 1930. The letter itself is of considerable interest: it is adressed to Robert Thynne (financial backer of the Mandrake Press), and presents Crowley’s humorously formulated proposal for a book entitled “Father Crowley’s Guide to Life.” Included with the portrait is a corner torn from a pastel drawing, displaying a fragment of the work and Crowley’s phallic “A” signature and the date [Anno] Ixiii Taurus [May 1939]. The section is triangular shaped, and measures approx. 6 x 5 x 8 inches, with the signature and date boldly written within a two sided-ruled square measuring approx 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches. Both pieces could be framed and mounted together in a way that would create a stunning example of Crowley’s original artwork, at a fraction of the price that one of his paintings would command – if one could be found. (31900) $4500.00
b) Aleister Crowley – A Selection Of Typescripts.
Aleister Crowley, The Book of Oaths. Unpublished Typescript. ND [circa 1950s]: Typescript. Typed on recto only of 137 leaves of thin 8 x 10 inch typing paper watermarked ‘Air Conqueror’. Unpaginated. An extraordinary typescript of Crowley’s still-unpublished Book of Oaths. The typescript is evidently complete as prepared, although whether or not it represents the entire work is uncertain – judging by the numerical section designations it is possible though not certain that this might represent the second part of a two part work. The typescript comprises an ‘Index’ (Contents?) and 230 poems or ‘oaths’ by Crowley on various subjects and people, the ‘oaths’ ranging in length from three lines to three pages. The great majority of these poems appear to remain unpublished. The poems are divided into nine categories: ‘IV Fauna (Mammals not indigenous to the British Isles)’ – approx 19 poems, ‘V Fauna (Mammals indigenous to the British Isles)’ – approx 13 poems, ‘Scroll the Fourth’ – approx 23 poems, ‘Scroll the Fifth’ – approx 21 poems, ‘Birds, Insects, Reptiles,’ approx 5 poems, ‘Gods Demons Etc.’ approx 30 poems, ‘Oaths on Astrid’ approx 39 poems, ‘Oaths to Various People,’ approx 21 poems, approx 29 poems, ‘Miscellaneous,’ approx 34 poems, ‘Numbered Oaths Without Titles,’ approx 13 poems. An extraordinary collection of verse, humorous, dubious, and sublime. Many of the poems are devoted to Crowley’s Scarlet Women, particularly Leah Hirsig and Dorothy Olsen, though there are also verses devoted to Ninette Shumway, Norman Mudd, MacGregor Mathers, Israel Regardie, Karl Germer, P. R. Stephensen, Allen Bennett, Frank Bennett, Betty May, etc. etc. as well as on various deities, magical workings, and so on. Simply too many themes and subjects to do justice in a synopsis like this.
The typescript is from the papers of the Australian bookseller and Crowley collector Norman Robb (circa 1895-1961). Robb was a friend of Frank Bennett’s and had corresponded briefly with Crowley. Following Crowley’s death Robb was in regular contact with Karl Germer, Gerald Yorke, and others with whom he exchanged Crowley material. It is possible that Robb commissioned the typescript himself, but it seems most likely that it was supplied to him by Gerald Yorke, presumably from material in his collection. Although undated, it most likely was prepared in the 1950s (it obviously pre-dates Robb’s death in 1961). Loose sheets, contained in the original brown thick paper folder in which Robb kept them. Now housed in a modern custom-made cloth clamshell case, with title etc to spine. (31922) $1,500.00
Aleister Crowley, Liber CCCXXXIII. Commentary on the Book of Lies. Typescript. ND [circa 1950s]: Typed on recto only of 101 leaves of thin 8 x 10 inch typing paper watermarked ‘Air Conqueror’. A typescript of Crowley’s Commentary on the Book of Lies. Possibly a top copy carbon – but with numerous Greek and Hebrew words and letters, symbols, etc., neatly entered in ink in a contemporary hand. The typescript is from the papers of the Australian bookseller and Crowley collector Norman Robb (circa 1895-1961). Robb was a friend of Frank Bennett’s and had corresponded briefly with Crowley. Following Crowley’s death Robb was in regular contact with Karl Germer, Gerald Yorke, and others with whom he exchanged Crowley material. It is possible that Robb commissioned this typescript copy of Crowley’s Commentary on the Book of Lies himself, although it seems most likely that it would have been supplied to him by Gerald Yorke (the paper is a size commonly used in England). Although undated the typescript was most likely prepared in the 1950s – it obviously pre-dates Robb’s death in 1961. The Commentaries remained unpublished until 1962, when they were published by Gerald Yorke and Karl Germer, under the Haydn Press imprint. Loose sheets, contained in the original brown thick paper folder in which Robb kept them. Now housed in a modern custom-made cloth clamshell case, with title etc to spine. (31923) $850.00
Aleister Crowley, The World’s Tragedy (Typescript). ND: NP, ND [circa 1940?]. An unbound typescript of Crowley’s The World’s Tragedy, probably a first generation carbon copy. 123 leaves, numbered [i] i – v [vi – viii] 1 – 114, typed on one side only on sheets of 8 1/4 x 12 inch British typing paper. The pages are secured together by a staple in the extreme top left corner.
Printed copies of the First Edition of The World’s Tragedy are amongst the rarest of Crowley’s published works. The book was privately printed in Paris in 1910 in an edition of 100 copies, but it seems certain that his enthusiastic discussion of sodomy in the Preface attracted some censor’s wrath, and it is generally believed that most copies were destroyed in a customs seizure. Presumably mindful of this the typescript version here – though obviously complete as prepared – does not include the Preface, and starts with ‘Proem’ immediately after the ‘title-page.’ Otherwise it appears to be the same as the published text, although a detailed collation has not been undertaken. This typescript copy is undated but was probably sent to Crowley’s followers in the USA in the 1940s. It comes from the library of Helen Parsons Smith (1910 – 2003), ex-wife of Jack Parsons, long time member of Agape Lodge of the OTO, and founder of Thelema Publications. Some light creasing, and a few leaves have torn loose from the staples. Overall the condition is VG+. (31858) $950.00
c) Aleister Crowley: Manuscript Items, Letters, & Other non-Printed Ephemera.
Aleister Crowley, A five page manuscript draft of an unpublished letter. Unsigned, dated ‘Jan. 22.’ [circa. 1931]. A manuscript postscript to a letter, written on six sides of four sheets of 6 1/2 x 8 inch ruled paper (apparently torn from a note book) and on one side of a buff colored 4 x 5 inch scrap, possibly once part of an envelope. Unsigned. Addressed simply to ‘Dear Sir’ – addressee otherwise unidentified. Approx. 600 words in total. The letter appears to be written to a prospective partner in publishing. Crowley discusses in detail the unofficial boycott of his works by London booksellers, and writes of the interest taken in his work by the scientist J. W. N. Sullivan. He also explains that his artwork is “not at all on the D. H. Lawrence side. No one could possibly protest on moral grounds.” A (presumably unrelated) pencil note on one of the pages, also in Crowley’s hand, reads “Please send Smith copies of O.T.O. rituals.” Pages browned, still VG. (31720) $650.00
Aleister Crowley, A Handwritten And Drawn Astrological Natal Chart Prepared By Aleister Crowley For The Theatrical Producer And Director Peter Brook. (ND – circa 1942). On one side of a single sheet of 4 1/2 x 7 inch plain notepaper. The first play directed by Peter Brook (b. 1925), “The Tragedie of Doctor Faustus,” was performed at the Torch Theatre, London, October 1-3, 1942. Crowley was brought in as ‘magical advisor’ and in addition to meeting with Brook attended dress rehearsals and of course the opening night. It was obviously at around this period that Crowley drew up this horoscope for the aspiring young thespian. VG condition. A delightful and interesting association. (31897) $600.00
Aleister Crowley, A Handwritten And Drawn Astrological Horary Chart Prepared By Aleister Crowley In Which He Examines The Astrological Influences On The Accession Of King George VI. (ND – presumably 1937). On one side of a single sheet of yellow scrap paper, 5 3/4 x 8 1/2 inches. The chart is on the reverse of a printed page, obviously torn from a prospectus for the ‘light therapy’ machinery produced by Hanovia Limited of Slough, England. Edges chipped and torn, and some soiling, mostly to the verso, but still VG. and unusual example of Crowley’s practical work as an astrologer. (31898) $500.00
Aleister Crowley, A Handwritten And Drawn Astrological Natal Chart Prepared By Aleister Crowley For Vernon Symonds, The Proprietor Of ‘Netherwood,’ The Hastings Boarding-House Which Was Crowley’s Final Abode. (ND – but circa 1945). Written on the recto only of a single sheet of ‘Hastings and St. Leonards Chess Club’ stationery. 8 x 10 inches. An interesting memento of the boarding house in which Crowley spent his final years. Somewhat creased around the edges and with a largish discolored patch on the right margin, otherwise VG. (31899) $600.00
Aleister Crowley. Typed Carbon Copy Of A Letter From Crowley To An Unnamed Disciple (‘Care Frater’), Dated at Paris, January 6, 1927. Appears to be the typed carbon copy of the original letter, on 3 sheets of 8″ x 11″ typing paper. A lengthy and interesting letter (approx 1500 words) in which Crowley addresses a point made by his correspondent in an earlier letter. In so doing he ranges broadly across the general principles of the Aeon of Horus. Included is the interesting observation that “We have a right to eat animals, because it is the kindest thing that we can do to them.’ Proof – if such were needed – that Crowley was certainly not a vegetarian. VG condition. (31910) $200.00
Aleister Crowley. A Two Page Typescript Of Crowley’s Poem ‘Rheims,’ Neatly Signed ‘Aleister Crowley.’ On two 8 x 10 inch off-white sheets of thick typing paper. Undated but judging by the paper and the style of signature it would probably have been prepared not long after Crowley wrote the poem (early 1915), and was perhaps intended for submission to a magazine or journal. Crowley later included the poem – about the famous French cathedral which was devastated by shell-fire in the war which then raged – in his ill-fated collection The Giant’s Thumb, but although the book reached page proofs in New York around 1915 or 1916, it was not actually published until 1992 when First Impressions of Thame produced an edition. VG condition. (31901) $695.00
Aleister Crowley, Handwritten Draft Of A Letter To The Explorer Sir Francis Younghusband, Unsigned And Undated But Circa May 1942. Written on both sides of a sheet of 5 1/2 x 8 inch blue notepaper. Approx 350 words, with various passages crossed out, struck through, etc. In the letter Crowley introduces himself to Younghusband (1863–1942) as a fellow Himalyan explorer, and asks his opinion on a group called the Cleveland Cultural Garden League who had apparently invited Crowley to read some of his patriotic poetry at an event they were organizing later that year. Apparently Younghusband was acquainted with the group’s executive secretary, Jenny K. Zwick, and Crowley was effectively checking their bona-fides with him! “I must say their ‘publicity’ arouses in me every from of horror – but that may be merely their ‘100% Americanism.'” An interesting and delightful note, with a number of mentions of his wartime poems. A little frayed at the edges. Still VG (31911) $700.00
Aleister Crowley, A. typed list of the marginal notes that Crowley made in his own copy of his novel Moonchild. List typed by G. J. Yorke, carbon copy, 2 pages, 7 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches. Undated but probably 1950s. (31905) $50
Aleister Crowley. Typed copy of a letter from Crowley to K. Doughty, dated at Cefalu, April 6, 1923. Copyist and date of preparation of this copy not given, but probably produced by Gerald Yorke in the 1950s. Typed carbon copy, on 4 sheets of cheap 8 1/2″ x 10″ typing paper. The recipient of the original letter, K. Doughty (identified in the Warburg Catalog as ‘J. H. Doughty,’) was an English climber and editor of The Rucksack Club Journal, from 1927 – 34. A significant letter, obviously written in response to some critical comments said to have been made by Doughty. In it Crowley outlines his own credentials as a mountaineer, and discusses mathematics etc. before turning to an explanation of the basics of Thelema. Yorke often made and exchanged copies of significant Crowley letters that he came across with others in his circle such as P. R. Stephensen, Israel Regardie, Karl Germer, Edward Fitzgerald, Norman Robb, etc. etc. VG. (31909) $125.00
d) Aleister Crowley: Printed Ephemera.
[Aleister Crowley]. An original MMM, Preliminary Pledge-Form. 1916. An original MMM, Preliminary Pledge-Form. A single sheet of 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 inch good quality paper, printed on both sides in blue with an elaborate red embossed Baphomet seal on the recto. The form has been completed by Janet Gendall, dated August 28, 1916. It is signed by Gendall and her sponsor: Nellie Eulalie Archer (later Tasman). A little yellowed at the edges, otherwise near Fine. An impressive piece of OTO memorabilia. (31819) $650.00
[Aleister Crowley]. An original O.T.O. Rose Croix Obligation and Affiliation Certificate, signed by C. Stansfeld Jones and Aleister Crowley. 1919. A Rose Croix Obligation and Affiliation form. A single sheet of 8 1/4 x 10 1/2 inch good quality paper, printed in red with an elaborate Baphomet seal embossed in blank. The form has been completed by Frank E. Bowman at Detroit, Michigan on April 13, 1919, and is signed by him and his sponsors: “C. Stansfeld Jones VII°” and “Saint Edward Aleister Crowley VII°.” A couple of small brown spots, otherwise VG+. A significant and impressive-looking piece of OTO memorabilia. (31820) $1,250.00
Aleister Crowley, ‘The Loving Ballad of John Anthony Long.’ A single page mimeographed poem. Undated – circa late 1940s. Mimeographed (or otherwise mechanically reproduced) on a single 8 x 10 inch buff colored sheet. Uniform in format with ‘Forty Years On: At the Metropole.’ First Edition. Crowley wrote two versions of this ‘poem’ – one of which was quite obscene (its first line being “I was bxxxxxing a boy in the black out”) whilst the other was simply quite dubious – although obviously those of his acquaintance ‘in the know’ would be aware that by substituting certain phrases in the text a whole different meaning would be give to the verse. Crowley intended to publish the second, seemingly innocuous version in his Olla (1946) but the printers apparently smelled the proverbial rat (verse with obscene word switches were quite popular during the war) and refused to include it. This mimeographed edition gives the text of the non-obscene version, and was apparently produced by Crowley for personal distribution to recipients of Olla who he felt would appreciate it. A recent photocopy with the text of the obscene version is included gratis. VG condition. (31903) $75-
Aleister Crowley, ‘Forty Years On: At the Metropole.’ A single page mimeographed poem. Undated – circa 1946. Mimeographed (or otherwise mechanically reproduced from a typescript) on a single 8 x 10 inch buff colored sheet. Uniform in format with ‘The Loving Ballad of John Anthony Long.’ First Edition thus. Crowley published a slightly different version of this poem under the title ‘Forty Years On: To Angela Constadine’ in his Olla (1946). The version published in Olla appears to have been slightly bowdlerized, thus the lines which appear in the books as ‘The tarts quite a little bit tartier; The road-hog more pushingly present,” appear in this broadsheet as the more racially-offensive ”The tarts undeniably tartier; The Semite more pushingly present.’ Crowley apparently had a small number of this version ‘printed’ for recipients of copies of Olla who he thought would be appreciate it. VG condition. (31902) $75-
Aleister Crowley, ‘Chants Before Battle.’ Four leaves (eight pages) removed from a copy of The English Review, No. 69, August 1914. 9 1/2 x 6 1/4 inches, secured together at the top with a pin. The first seven pages have the text of Crowley’s poem, “Chants Before Battle.” From the papers of the Australian bookseller and Crowley collector Norman Robb (circa 1895-1961). Robb was a friend of Frank Bennett’s and had corresponded briefly with Crowley. Following Crowley’s death Robb was in regular contact with Karl Germer, Gerald Yorke, and others with whom he exchanged Crowley material. A little light wear and darkening, still VG. (31921) $25.00
Karl J. Germer [Aleister Crowley: related material]. Prospectus for Magick Without Tears. Hampton, New Jersey: Thelema Publishing Company, 1954. A single page prospectus for the First Edition of Crowley’s Magick Without Tears, published by Germer in 1954. Approx 25 lines of text, presumably written by Germer, reproduced from a typescript onto one side of an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of buff -colored paper. About fine. From the papers of the Australian bookseller and Crowley collector Norman Robb (circa 1895-1961). Robb was a friend of Frank Bennett’s and had corresponded briefly with Crowley. Following Crowley’s death Robb was in regular contact with Karl Germer, Gerald Yorke, and others with whom he exchanged Crowley material. This prospectus was without doubt obtained directly from Germer by him. (31920) $50.00
Aleister Crowley, ‘Baphomet XI˚ O.T.O.’ An Original illustration from the The Equinox Vol. III, No 1, 1919 [aka ‘The Blue Equinox’]. A collotype photographic portrait of Crowley in full regalia, taken by Arnold Genthe (1869 – 1942). A plate removed from a First Edition copy of The Equinox Vol. III, No 1, 1919. The accompanying explanatory text has been clipped from the tissue guard and is tipped to the bottom of the page. Suitable for framing. A little age darkening, but still VG. (31906) $75.00
Aleister Crowley(related item): Frater Achad: ‘The Pantacle of Frater V.I.O.’ An Original illustration from the The Equinox Vol. III, No 1, 1919 [aka ‘The Blue Equinox’]. A plate removed from a First Edition copy of The Equinox Vol. III, No 1, 1919. It reproduces the pantacle prepared by Frater V.I.O. (Achad) as part of his examination for the Neophyte grade of the A.: A.: The accompanying tissue guard with explanatory text is included. Suitable for framing. A little age darkening, but still VG. (31907) $50.00
Aleister Crowley, ‘The Way,’ [Portrait of Lam]. An Original illustration from the The Equinox Vol. III, No 1, 1919 [aka ‘The Blue Equinox’]. A plate removed from a First Edition copy of The Equinox Vol. III, No 1, 1919. The accompanying explanatory text has been clipped from the tissue guard and is tipped to the bottom of the page. Suitable for framing. A little age darkening, but still VG. (31908) $75.00
e) Books by Aleister Crowley.
Ethel Archer, with Introduction by Aleister Crowley. The Whirlpool, London: Wieland & Co., 1911. First Edition. Hardcover. 8vo. 46pp (+4pp. adverts). Paper covered boards with striking illustration. Includes an Introduction & dedication by Crowley. Ethel Archer was a close associate of Crowley’s at the time, and one of the central figures in the group involved with the publication of The Equinox series. The work comprises a collection of poems by and too Victor Neuberg and other Crowley intimates. Includes advertisements for The Equinox and other Crowley titles at rear. From the library of Helen Parsons Smith (1910 – 2003), ex-wife of Jack Parsons, long time member of Agape Lodge of the OTO, and founder of Thelema Publications. A 2 1/2 inch section is missing from the middle of the spine, and the remaining top and bottom sections are somewhat darkened. Otherwise a VG copy of a work which due to its fragile nature is seldom seen (presumably most copies perished because of their rather delicate construction.) This copy is loosely enclosed by a specially-made set of modern blue cloth boards, with gilt titling to the front cover and spine, which Parsons Smith had made as a protective outer cover. (31834) $380.00
Ethel Archer, (Introduction by Aleister Crowley). The Whirlpool. Thame, England, First Impressions, 1993. First edition thus. Hardcover, small 8vo., 50 pp, black cloth, gilt title, etc. to spine, frontis. Originally published in 1911. This edition includes reproductions of the manuscript notes etc. in Gerald Yorke’s collection. Fine condition, no dustjacket (as issued). (31865) $30.00
Aleister Crowley, (Edited and Introduced by Stephen Skinner). Aleister Crowley’s Astrology. With A Study of Neptune and Uranus. Liber DXXXVI. New York, NY: Samuel Weiser Inc., 1974. First US Edition. Hardcover 8vo, xx + 204 pp, Maroon cloth, gilt title, etc. to spine, frontis. A fine copy in fine dustjacket. (31867) $65.00
[Aleister Crowley] Writing as ‘A Gentleman of the University of Cambridge.’ The Tale of Archais. A Romance in Verse. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co.1898 (First Edition), 1898. First Edition. Hardcover. Small quarto. viii + 90pp. Original olive green paper-covered boards with white cloth spine and paper title label. Commonly said to be Crowley’s second published book, following Aceldama (uncertainty remains as to whether or not White Stains preceded it). According to Duncombe-Jewell the edition comprised 250 cloth-bound copies on hand-made paper (as this copy), and 2 copies on vellum. There are 3 known binding variants which have, respectively, brick-red, slate-blue, and dull-green, paper covered boards. The order of precedence has never been established though they were most likely published simultaneously. The corners of the boards are a little rounded, with the paper rubbed through, but otherwise it is a truly an exceptional copy – about as close to Fine as one could ever expect to see. Spine label unchipped, white buckram spine barely darkened and the pages bright and supple with just a hint of darkening to the endpapers. No dustwrapper (none called for). (31836) $1,400.00
Aleister Crowley, The Argonauts. Boleskine, Foyers: Society for the Propagation of Religious Truth, , 1904. First Edition. Disbound. Octavo, (vi – lacking) 18 (ii) 20 (ii) 20 (ii) 24 (ii) 22 (of 24pp), Machine made paper. Disbound and defective copy. Lacks the wrappers and all the preliminaries (pages i-vi) including the title page, as well as the final leaf of text (that is pages 23-24 of Act Five). The volume was originally bound in the “camel hair” binding that Crowley liked so much, but which was not at all durable. According to Duncombe-Jewell only 202 copies were printed: 2 on Roman vellum, and 200 thus, on machine made paper. A play in five parts – each act of which is “a separate play on the Greek model, separately paginated.” The play was to have been published by Kegan Paul, but when Crowley discovered how poor the sales of his earlier works had been, he decided to publish and distribute his works himself. The Argonauts was the first book to be published under the new imprint he created: the S.P.R.T. (Society for the Propagation of Religious Truth). This copy is from the library of Helen Parsons Smith (1910 – 2003), ex-wife of Jack Parsons, long time member of Agape Lodge of the OTO, and founder of Thelema Publications. It is a sad copy, in poor shape. In addition to the missing pages and covers, it has an old damp stain to the spine, which has caused the inner margins to yellow. Its flaws aside it is a work that is genuinely scarce in first edition, and was obviously valued by Helen, who had a set of modern blue cloth boards, with silver titling to the front cover and spine, especially made as a protective outer cover for it, and in which it is now loosely enclosed. Sold as is. (31835) $125.00
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, Inscribed by Crowley to a fellow artist. 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. Inscribed by Crowley on the verso of the ffep “The homage of a poor poet to a great artist. [signed] Aleister Crowley 21-10-08.” 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 edition was speedily and simply produced (without plates) for rapid distribution to anyone planning on entering the competition for the best essay on his own works, which Crowley was then running. Spine a little darkened and boards lightly discolored, gilt titling still fresh and bright. Preliminaries lightly foxed, still an unusually bright clean copy with a tantalising inscription. (31833) $2,250.00
Aleister Crowley, The Book of Lies. Which is Also Falsely Called Breaks, The Wanderings or Falsifications of the one thought of Frater Perdurabo (Aleister Crowley) which thought is itself untrue. A Reprint with an Additional Commentary to each Chapter. New York, NY: Samuel Weiser Inc., 1975. Fifth Printing. Hardcover 8vo, 196 pp, black cloth, gilt title, etc. to spine, illustrations. Previous owner’s bookplate and small discolored patch on the front pastedown, edges dusty and lightly toned, otherwise a tight, clean VG+ copy in VG+ dustjacket (just a hint of rubbing) (25626) $50.00
[Aleister Crowley]. The Book of the Law. Liber AL vel Legis Sub Figura CCXX. New York: Ordo Templi Orientis and Magickal Childe, [1990 / 2004]. Hardcover leather-bound pocket sized edition of Crowley’s Book of the Law. 12 mo, 92pp, Red leather with gilt title and spine, silk page marker, all edges gilt. Errata slip loosely inserted. Note – this issue is comprised of the sheets of the 1990 edition issued by the Ordo Templi Orientis and Magickal Childe recently bound up and reissued by Studio 31. Aside from a small difference in the stamping on the spine, the binding of this issue is virtually identical to that published in 1990. A Fine copy . (25302) $150.00
Aleister Crowley, The City of God & The Fun of the Fair. London: The O.T.O., 1942 & 1943. First Editions thus. Two companion volumes by Aleister Crowley, The City of God, and The Fun of the Fair, each complete in their originals card wrappers, but then sewn into a contemporary custom-made red ‘leather look’ binding with gilt-titles across the front cover. The binding was commissioned by Frater Zopiron: Gabriel Montenegro Vargas (1907-1969), IX degree, O.T.O., the last initiate of the Agape Lodge in California, from whose library the volume came. With his bookplate on front pastedown. Both volumes are ‘first editions thus’, large octavos, with frontis portraits, in their original printed thick paper wrappers, printed at the Chiswick Press, London, on fine mold-made paper. The City of God is ii + 12pp, The Fun of the Fair viii + 24pp (+ ivpp), with this copy including the Errata slip tipped in at the front and the four rather crudely reproduced pages of additional poetry tipped in at the rear which are usually only found in copies distributed soon after publication. Both editions were limited to 200 signed and numbered copies, although neither copy is signed. Both are numbered, The City of God is no. 160, & The Fun of the Fair is no. 169. A delightful set in which Crowley lyrically recorded his impressions of pre-revolutionary Russia. Crowley wrote in his ‘Confessions’ that he “expressed the soul of Moscow in a poem The City of God …. it is a “hashish dream come true”. The Fun of the Fair is his reminiscence in verse of the bawdy spectacle of the great festival at Nijni Novgorod (Russia) which he visited in 1913. Cloth boards a little faded, otherwise near-fine. (31839) $850.00
Aleister Crowley, The Diary Of A Drug Fiend. London: W. Collins, 1922 . First UK Edition. Hardcover. [iv] + 368pp. 8vo. Original dark blue cloth lettered in red. The first UK edition of Crowley’s famous novel dealing with the subject of heroin and cocaine addiction and its possible rehabilitation. One of the characters – King Lamus – is clearly a romantic self-portrait by Crowley, and Lamus’s “Abbey of Thelema” at Telepylus an idealised version of his own Abbey of Thelema at Cefalu. Corners bruised and rubbed at tips, general wear to boards and spine, the cloth of which is a little frayed at the head and tail, and which is overall quite rubbed (making the titling etc . indistinct.) There is a light bump, causing a tiny tear in the cloth on the front edge of the upper board. Some light discoloration to the front pastedown, where a label seems to have been removed, the page edges are dusty, but internally it is quite solid and unmarked, and largely free of the foxing this volume often attracts. A Good + copy. (25614) $650.00
[Aleister Crowley, et al]. The Equinox. Vol. I, Number III. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co., March 1910. Hardcover. First Edition – ‘Edition de Luxe’ – limited to 50 copies only. Bound in original white buckram. Lge. 8vo., pp. xii + 332 + 76 + iv. Ills. A rare cloth bound ‘Edition de Luxe’, of The Equinox series. Only fifty copies of each number were issued thus, and they were usually available only to subscribers, most of whom were members of Crowley’s A.: A.:. The ‘Edition de Luxe’ is also the true First Edition (first issue thus) of The Equinox series, as its numbers were distributed in advance of the ‘Standard’ volumes. This Number (III) is of particular significance, as it exhibits an earlier state of the text to that of the ‘Standard Issue’ – thereby confirming that the ‘Edition de Luxe’ was issued before the ‘Standard Issue’. 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 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, and thus the ‘Edition de Luxe’ of Number III is the true ‘First Issue’ containing as it does the original editorial text. The ‘Edition de Luxe’ also has an additional color frontispiece at the front of each volume (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.
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.
The corners are lightly bumped, the spine is darkened, and the boards, are, as always, a little grubby, but the binding is still solid and tight. There is some browning to the endpapers, and some occasional light foxing. Several leaves – including that with the famous portrait of Crowley, ‘The Student’ – have a finger-sized patch of discoloration running vertically up the inner margin at the top and bottom of the page (not affecting the text or the plate itself), otherwise the volume is clean, fresh and in V.G. condition. No dustjacket (none issued). (17226) $1,275.00
Aleister Crowley, The Equinox of the Gods (being The Equinox Vol. III, No. III). A mixed set of UNBOUND sheets. London : The O.T.O. , 1936/37. . A mixed set of unbound sheets from the ‘standard’ and ‘subscribers’ editions of The Equinox of the Gods, from the archives of Helen Parsons Smith and her Thelema Publications.
Aleister Crowley first released The Equinox of the Gods in 1936, bound in white buckram, and with a specially-made pocket at the rear of the volume which held an envelope containing a facsimile of the original manuscript of The Book of the Law. In 1937 Crowley had the book reprinted, though the printers retained the 1936 publication date on the title page etc., later covering it with a paper label with the corrected details. A small number of the copies were printed on machine-made paper and were used for a ‘Subscriber’s Edition’ bound in cloth-backed boards. A larger number were printed on ‘Japanese paper’ and were again bound in white buckram. A significant number of the sheets of the ‘Japanese paper’ issue, and a small number of those of the ‘Subscriber’s Issue’ remained unbound, and after Crowley’s death were sent to Karl Germer, who in 1955 passed approx. 500 sets of sheets to Samuel Weiser, bookseller and publisher. Some remaining sets of sheets eventually passed into the hands of Helen Parsons Smith, who had them bound up in a facsimile of the white buckram binding of the ‘standard’ edition, which she then sold through her Thelema Publications business in the 1970s. The sets of sheets that she acquired did not have the color plates that were originally issued with the book, so she had facsimiles made.
Offered here is a hybrid set of unbound sheets for The Equinox of the Gods from the archives of Helen Parsons Smith. It is complete but comprises the preliminaries from a ‘Subscriber’s edition’ (on machine made paper), a facsimile ‘Stelae print’ (as printed for Helen Parsons Smith) and the text of a the ‘standard edition.’ An interesting curiosity, which could be bound to create an attractive and unusual copy of The Equinox of the Gods, at a fraction of the price that the copy of a first or second issue in its original binding would command. (31797) $250.00
Aleister Crowley, The Equinox of the Gods (being The Equinox Vol. III, No. III). A partial set of UNBOUND sheets. London : The O.T.O., 1936/37. A partial set of unbound sheets retained by Helen Parsons Smith for use in a projected special edition of The Book of the Law.
Aleister Crowley first released The Equinox of the Gods in 1936, bound in white buckram, and with an especially made pocket at the rear of the volume which held an envelope containing a facsimile of the original manuscript of The Book of the Law. In 1937 Crowley had the book reprinted, though the printers retained the 1936 publication date on the title page etc., later covering it with a paper label with the corrected details. A small number of the copies were printed on machine-made paper and were used for a ‘Subscriber’s Edition’ bound in cloth-backed boards. A larger number were printed on ‘Japanese paper’ and were again bound in white buckram. A significant number of the sheets of the ‘Japanese paper’ issue, and a small number of those of the ‘Subscriber’s Issue’ remained unbound, and after Crowley’s death were sent to Karl Germer, who in 1955 passed approx. 500 sets of sheets to Samuel Weiser, bookseller and publisher. Some remaining sets of sheets eventually passed into the hands of Helen Parsons Smith, who had them bound up in a facsimile of the white buckram binding of the ‘standard’ edition, which she then sold through her Thelema Publications business in the 1970s. However in 1988 she used one set of sheets to create a copy of The Book of the Law – presumably for her own use – which she had specially bound in a red leather binding with elaborate titling (listed in Weiser Antiquarian Books, Catalog 7). Helen was obviously pleased with the result, and put together another set of sheets, with the idea of creating a similar of The Book of the Law, perhaps for presentation to a friend, although with a yellow leather binding. This is that set of sheets.
As with her own copy, it is not the entire text of The Equinox of The Gods. Instead it starts with the decorative section-title page for Liber AL vel Legis which appears later in the volume (p. 13). There is then a color facsimile of the plate showing both sides of the Stelae of Revealing, followed by pages 13 – 58 of The Equinox of the Gods (That is the text of Liber AL vel Legis). The last leaf is the diagram ‘A Few Indications for the student of the line to be adopted in his Elucidation of Liber AL’ which also appeared as the final leaf (p. 137/138) of The Equinox of the Gods. Included with the sheets are a typed note in which Helen outlined her instructions to the binder (obviously these were never carried out), a book-binder’s ‘Purchase Order,’ and a photocopy of the title page, with Helen’s manuscript alterations, which was presumably intended for use as the cover design by the binder. VG condition. (31798) $250.00
Aleister Crowley, The Equinox of the Gods (being The Equinox Vol. III, No. III). A pile of miscellaneous UNBOUND sheets. London : The O.T.O. , 1936/37. An inch-and-a-half high stack of miscellaneous unbound gatherings from the 1936/7 edition of The Equinox of the Gods.
As far as is known Crowley only had 250 or so sets of sheets of the Subscriber’s Edition of The Equinox of the Gods printed. They were printed on machine-made paper, and were bound in a cheaper, cloth backed binding than the standard buckram-bound edition. Evidently some sets of the unbound sheets of the Subscriber’s Edition remained unbound and eventually passed to Helen Parsons Smith, who had some bound up in a facsimile of the white buckram binding of the ‘standard’ edition, which she then sold through her Thelema Publications business in the 1970s. This is a pile of miscellaneous unbound sheets – mostly duplicates – that were evidently left over. The majority are from the Subscriber’s edition, but there are also a small number from the ‘standard’ edition. With them is a page typed by HPS which reads “3-12-88. Very Odd Pages from The Equinox of the Gods’ (!).” Please note she is correct in that they are very “odd” with approx half the pile made up of duplicates of the same gathering which starts on page 11. A curiosity only. Very Good Condition. (31799) $100.00
Aleister Crowley (Edited by Hymenaeus Beta X). The Equinox: Volume III Number 10. New York, NY: Thelema Publications, 1986. First edition – Limited. Hardcover, large 8vo, 288 pp, bound in sail cloth, stamped in red-foil with titles and lamen, and with color-printed lamen tipped onto verso of front free endpaper, illustrations. Copy number 33 of an edition of only ninety three copies, this copy signed by Hymenaeus Beta on the half-title page. Fine in original transparent plastic ‘dustjacket.’ (31852) $500.00
Aleister Crowley, The Fun of the Fair (Nijni Novgorod, 1913 e.v.), Barstow, California, & London, England: The O.T.O., 1942. First Edition thus. Original thick paper wrappers. Large 8vo. viii + 24pp (+ ivpp). Frontis portrait. Printed at the Chiswick Press on fine mold-made paper. This edition limited to 200 signed and numbered copies. This copy No. 12, SIGNED by Crowley under the frontispiece. Crowley’s reminiscences – in verse – of the bawdy spectacle of the great festival at Nijni Novgorod (Russia) which he visited in 1913. Errata slip tipped onto half-title, and four additional pages of poetry – ‘Political Vote. B—-y Secret’ & ‘Landed Gentry’ inserted at rear (these are usually found in the copies that were signed by Crowley and distributed during his lifetime). It is noteworthy that although the edition was limited to 200 copies a substantial part of the print run – probably at least 100 copies – remained unsold and unsigned at the time of Crowley’s death, so signed copies such as this are scarcer than their already small limitation would suggest. Slightly creased around the edges as always, one short tear in bottom edge of front wrapper, otherwise fine. (31861) $1,475.00
Aleister Crowley, Gargoyles. Being Strangely Wrought Images of Life and Death. Boleskine, Foyers : Society for the Propagation of Religious Truth, 1906. First edition. Hardcover. Small 8vo. vi + 104pp. Original blue-grey cloth boards. One of 300 copies on machine made-paper (there were also 2 copies on roman vellum & 50 on hand-made paper). This copy from the collection of Joseph C. Crombie, (1908-1971), IX degree, O.T.O., an initiate of the Agape Lodge in California, who was also an associate of Louis T. Culling, and had undertaken a ritual with him in 1942 aimed at bringing about an American edition of the Book of the Law. With Crombie’s bookplate and ownership signature on front pastedown. Cloth a little chafed at the head of spine, and with a half inch split in the top gutter. Old pencil notation on title page, and inked number ’24’ (denoting the number Yorke assigned to the book in his bibliography) on the front free endpaper, otherwise a tight, clean V.G. + copy (no dustjacket – none issued) (31853) $850.00
Aleister Crowley, The God-Eater. A Tragedy of Satire. London: Watts & Co., 1903. First Edition. Softcover. Quarto 10 x 7 1/2 inches, 32 pp. Dark green ‘camel hair’ wrappers with red lettering on upper wrapper. One of 300 copies printed thus (there were also two copies on vellum). From the library of Helen Parsons Smith (1910 – 2003), ex-wife of Jack Parsons, long time member of Agape Lodge of the OTO, and founder of Thelema Publications. Wrappers starting to separate at top of spine, a couple of tiny holes (silver fish nibbles?) in the margin of one leaf, otherwise a VG + copy. This copy is loosely enclosed by an especially-made set of modern blue cloth boards, with gilt titling to the front cover and spine, which Parsons Smith had made as a protective outer cover. (31842) $600.00
Aleister Crowley, Hail Mary. London: The Equinox / Wieland & Co, ND (1911). First Edition Thus. Softcover. Small 8vo. 96pp. Original light blue wrappers. The third issue of a book that probably stands as Crowley’s most famous practical joke. In 1908 Crowley anonymously submitted the text of this book of devotional verse to the well-known Catholic publishers Burnes and Oates Somehow the publishers managed to overlook the dubious theology and strong lesbian undertones and published the book under the title Amphora. At around the same time Crowley published his own private edition with an obscene epilogue. Somehow Burnes and Oates found out who the author was, and apparently withdrew their edition of Amphora after only a small number of copies had been bound, but had the good grace to pass the unsold sheets to Crowley. Crowley had a new title page printed, and reissued the book as Hail Mary under his Equinox imprint. This copy was presented to Helen Parsons Smith (1910 – 2003, ex-wife of Jack Parsons, long time member of Agape Lodge of the OTO, and founder of Thelema Publications), by Israel Regardie on the occasion of her visiting his home in Arizona. It has Regardie’s Golden Dawn inspired-bookplate on the inside front cover. The binding of this edition was far from sturdy and this particular copy had obviously lost its spine, so Regardie had it repaired with a new thin cloth spine – although the original wrappers are preserved – and also had a cream cloth solander case custom made to protect it. The wrappers are somewhat faded and a little chipped around the edges, otherwise the book is in Very Good condition. The solander case is virtually as new. (31847) $750.00
Aleister Crowley, In Residence. The Don’s Guide to Cambridge. Cambridge: Elijah Johnson, 1904. First edition. Softcover. 8vo, 94 pp. + 20pp. adverts, Original pale blue wrappers with darker blue title etc. to front wrapper. A collection of Crowley’s early poetry, published in the same years as Crowley received The Book of the Law. The poems are mostly reprinted from magazines like ‘Granta,’ ‘Cambridge Magazine,’ ‘Cantab,’ etc. though some were previously unpublished. Includes twenty pages of extremely interesting, humorous, and informative advertisements for works by Crowley at the rear, as well as the detachable entry form for a competition that Crowley held for the best essay to be written on his own works. This was of course the competition won by J. F. C. Fuller whose essay was rumoured to have been the only entry, and who is also supposed to have never received the promised hundred pound prize. Considerable discoloration to the wrappers and creasing to the spine, detachable entry form detached but present, wrappers still firmly attached, internals clean. (31919) $395.00
[Aleister Crowley,] 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. From the library of Roy Leffingwell (1886-1952) ‘Frater Esse Quam Videri,’ a IX degree member of the Agape Lodge of the O.T.O., and member of the A. : A.: with his ownership details on front free endpaper. Crowley wrote the bulk of The Heart of the Master in 1924, 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, still an unusually clean, VG+ copy. (No dustwrapper – as far as is known none were issued). (31849) $1,250.00
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 portrait. Yorke 56. First edition, second issue. Original white buckram, with intricate highly stylized title design of book’s title stamped in gilt to upper board. INSCRIBED by Crowley to Frederick Ebeling, a Probationer of the an A.: A: in 1921: ‘To Bro. Frederick Ebeling fraternal greetings from The Beast 666 Anno XVII [symbols: sol in scorpio].’ With neat ink annotations by Ebeling in the margins throughout. The book was later acquired by Frater Zopiron: Gabriel Montenegro Vargas (1907-1969), IX degree, O.T.O., the last initiate of the Agape Lodge in California, from whose library the volume came. With his bookplate on front pastedown. This first edition of Konx om Pax was limited to 500 numbered copies, though this copy is not numbered. About half of the printing was bound in black buckram with white printing (symbolising light out of darkness). The remaining sheets were bound in gilt stamped white buckram, thus. An unusually bright, clean copy, with the buckram clean and the gilt bright and fresh. Endpapers lightly toned, some offsetting to the title page from the frontis (which lacks the tissue guard), internals otherwise bright and clean. An unusually good copy. (31851) $2,250.00
Aleister Crowley, Little Essays Toward Truth. London: The O.T.O., 1938. First edition – US Issue. 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. Rare American issue variant binding. It is thought that Crowley sent a number of sets of unbound sheets of the work to the US, where his Californian followers had them locally bound. The binding is similar to that of the British edition, although the cloth is a little lighter (in all respects) and the sigil on the front board much smaller. This copy is from the library of Frater Zopiron: Gabriel Montenegro Vargas (1907-1969), IX degree, O.T.O., the last initiate of the Agape Lodge in California, and has his Thelemic bookplate on the front pastedown, some Hebrew letters lightly pencilled on the front endpaper, and his ownership signature and address very lightly pencilled on the half-title page. The cloth of this edition was not very durable, and this copy (in common with the only other one we have seen) shows some wear. It is rubbed to the boards at the points, chafed at the head and tail of the spine, and splitting in the front gutter. The gilt work is also quite rubbed and obscured in places. Despite this it is still a tight, solid copy, internally fresh and bright (no dustjacket – we don’t know if the US issue was supplied with one). (31846) $500.00
Aleister Crowley, Oracles The Biography of An Art. Unpublished Fragments of the Work of Aleister Crowley with Explanatory Notes by R. P. Lester and the Author. Boleskine: Society for the Propagation of Religious Truth, 1905. First edition. Wrappers. Octavo, viii + 176pp (+ 14pp. adverts + iipp detachable order form ) Original dark green “camel hair” wrappers, title lettered in white down spine. A collection of early poetry written by Crowley, most previously unpublished. It includes a fragment of his first poem, written in 1886. Only 500 copies of Oracles were printed: they were published by Crowley himself under his S.P.R.T. (Society for the Propagation of Religious Truth) imprint – the name being a none-too-subtle jest at the expense of the well known Christian publishing house the S.P.C.K. (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge). The original detachable order form for The [Collected] Works of Aleister Crowley is present at rear. Some pages with small tears in the upper margin from careless opening, and a few dust marks to pages. As always the extremely soft camel hair wrappers have suffered some chips and tears to the edges, but this copy is remarkably solid and clean: probably one of the nicest that could be found – with the spine firm and many of the pages still unopened. (31850) $600.00
Aleister Crowley, The Star & the Garter, Boleskine, Foyers : Society for the Propagation of Religious Truth, 1904. Popular Edition. Softcover. Quarto 11 x 8 inches, 80 pp., Dark green ‘camel hair’ wrappers with white lettering on upper wrapper. Crowley wrote that The Star & the Garter “contained some of my best lyrics” and was also “important in marking a new step in my poetic path ….. [for] …. I had mastered form better than I had ever done before …..” It was first published by Watts and Co. in 1903 in an edition of only 52 copies. Crowley published this “Popular Edition” the following year under his S.P.R.T. imprint “with the idea of reaching the people who might have been unable to buy my more expensive books.” Although unmarked, this copy came from the collection of Helen Parsons Smith, and she is known to have obtained it from Isidore Kerman (1905-1998) who acted as Crowley’s solicitor in the 1930s. Though much favoured by Crowley, the “camel hair” binding material was not at all durable, and it is rare to find a copy in such good condition as this. The wrapper is missing a small chip at the top of the spine, and the top edge is a little frayed. Internally the book is clean and bright – virtually as new, with many pages unopened. Near fine. (31841) $500.00
Aleister Crowley, Tannhäuser. A Story of All Time. Boleskine: Society for the Propagation of Religious Truth, 1907. (New edition). Hardcover. Quarto 142pp (+ ii pp. adverts). Original royal blue cloth, lettered in gilt on upper board. Crowley states: “An allegorical drama concerning the Progress of the Soul; the Tannhäuser story slightly remodeled.” First published by Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co in 1902. This reprint edition was published by Crowley himself under his S.P.R.T. imprint. It appears to differ from the first edition only in the publication details on the title page, and in the printing and binding (the binding is full cloth as opposed to linen backed boards). Spine very lightly faded, occasional light foxing throughout. Otherwise a tight, clean VG+ copy (no dustjacket: none issued). (31840) $500.00
f) Books about Aleister Crowley.
[James Beck] ‘666 and the Scribe 777,’ The Book of Perfection: Sub Figura Liber 440. South Stukely, Canada: 93 Publishing, 1977. Limited edition. Softcover, 8vo, 120 pp, color illustrations, pictorial covers. Edition limited to 718 numbered copies, the first 93 of which were on handmade paper. The rest – as this copy which is number 326 – are printed on Carlyle Japan paper. Text printed in black and red. “During the four day period of January 5, 6, 7, & 8th, Year 71 of the Aeon of Horus, the scribe 777 received through direct invocation a five-part treatise entitled ‘The Book of Codes–Liber 718’, the revealed comment to Aleister Crowley’s ‘The Book of the Law’ and later ‘The Book of Oz’ Together these make up ” The Book of Perfection, aka the Fourth Chapter of Liber AL. The ‘Scribe 777’ is often identified as an ex-Kenneth Grant initiate named Peter Macfarlane, but we are reliably informed that it was actually one James Beck, also known as Jimmy Rocket. The book was pretty poorly received in Thelemic circles, and copies are now quite scarce. Light wear to the covers, page edges dusty, otherwise a tight, clean VG copy. (15512) $135.00
P. R. Stephensen (in collaboration with Aleister Crowley). The Legend of Aleister Crowley. London: Mandrake Press Limited, 1930. First Edition. Softcover, 8vo, 158 pp, Original blue-grey wrappers. Stephensen’s fascinating study of the press attacks on Crowley in the 1920s. Crowley collaborated on the work, and his then-secretary, Israel Regardie, assembled the clippings from which Stephensen drew the text. Spine discolored and frayed with a number of significant chips to head and tail, and at the sides. Wrappers somewhat faded as usual. Slightly shaken, still a Good copy. (31838) $120.00
John Symonds, The Great Beast. The Life and Magick of Aleister Crowley. London, Macdonald & Co., 1971. First edition thus. Hardcover 8vo, x + 414 pp, Black cloth, gilt title, etc. to spine. Frontis, illustrations. The 1971 revised edition of Symond’s biography of Crowley. Published twenty years after the first edition, this reissue reflected the changed times, and as the blurb on the dustjacket noted: “The author is now able to go into far greater detail about Crowley’s use of sex and drugs than was possible before.” It also included a lot of material that was published separately in his The Magic of Aleister Crowley. Boards lightly bumped at corners and edges, hint of toning to the pages, edges dusty and very lightly thumbed. Still a tight, clean VG + copy. As usual the fragile gold foil dust jacket is rubbed in places, and has some creasing and small chips to the edges, but is now protected by a mylar sleeve. (15505) $75.00
g) About this catalog & how to purchase from it.
This is Weiser’s 80th year of business as specialist sellers of esoteric books and for many decades the company issued printed catalogs, however, the high costs involved brought an end to these, and for the last five years we have listed books on various internet book-sites and directly on to our own website:http://www.weiserantiquarian.com
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Our Previous Catalogs
Five of our first nine catalogs were devoted to Aleister Crowley and Thelema (Catalog Numbers 1, 2, 5, 7 & 9), with the remaining four on other topics: Catalog 3 to Hermetica, Catalog 4 to Austin Osman Spare, and Catalog 6 to works on Magic, and Catalog 8 being a list of ‘100 recent arrivals’ from across our stock.
Catalog One included a Signed Copy of The Book of the Law, a typescript of Liber Aleph, rare First Editions of Crowley’s Goetia, and The Equinox of the Gods, as well as a collection of Signed ‘Word of the Equinox’ documents. Catalog Two included items of equal interest and rarity, a number of which had come from the library of Ray Burlingame (1893-1965), a IX degree member of Agape Lodge of the Ordo Templi Orientis. Amongst these was a copy of the private edition of Crowley’s Olla, (20 copies only!) with a superb full-page presentation inscription to Burlingame and family from Crowley, a copy of the magnificent First Edition of The Book of Thoth and a number of other treasures. Catalog Five was devoted to books and typescripts that were owned and/or published by Helen Parsons Smith (1910-2003), or that had belonged to her friend Gabriel Montenegro Vargas (1907-1969), both of whom, like Burlingame had been IX degree members of Agape Lodge of the OTO. There is a particular charm and poignancy to a copy of the Germer edition of Magick Without Tears which Parsons Smith had fondly inscribed to Montenegro and presented to him only months before his death, but the rarest of the works listed is a contemporary typescript of Crowley’s Commentaries on the Book of the Law, which Montenegro had acquired during the 1940s and had handsomely bound for himself in 1959. Amongst the eclectic collection of material in Catalog Seven there was some fascinating ephemera relating to Crowley’s activities during the Second World War – including a signed and inscribed copy of Thumbs Up, a work that was effectively a ritual curse on Hitler, and signed autograph manuscripts of two unpublished and extremely vitriolic patriotic poems, one of which was clearly written in response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. Our Catalog Nine contained some deli