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

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

Best wishes,

Michael.

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

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

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

Therefor i prefer to buy the 10 volume bookset.

🙂

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best wishes,

Michael.

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

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

93,

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

93 93/93
phthah

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

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

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

Johan.

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

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

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

Thought i would chip in with my set (not for sale im afraid).
I have the 1972 Weiser reprints of Vol 1 (1-10) and Vol III (1). They have annotations in them copied from Lady Frieda Harris' set that was in the possession of Gerald Yorke. Nothing earth shattering in the notes but its nice to see them when your reading a section.

I bought the set in 1999 for £600. Part of me thought they would be going for lots more these days. Condition wise theyre holding up nicely as they are sound throughout, no inside discolouration and the boards only have minor marks and scuffs. Be interesting to see what a similar set would go for. Need to pay for my funeral somehow when it comes 😉

Hi,

I have a set of the 1972 Weiser limited editions and the 1972 Limited Blue Equinox.
They are in very good condition although the spines have suffered from tobacco staining but the board and pages are bright and crisp.

I paid £450 for my set (excluding the blue volume which was £95) only lasyear on ebay so thay do come up occassionally.

I got the 1972 Weiser set when it came out - the first of The Equinox reprints I believe. The Blue Equinox wasn't part of the set, and I acquired that only many years later, in the late 1980s.

Someone expressed surprise in a post above that these sets had not climbed more in value on the second-hand market over the years, and I'm surprised too. Not many sets seem to come up - there's one at Treadwells at the moment, though.

Best wishes,

Michael.

In 1972, I walked in to a major [occult] bookstore on Hollywood Blvd (in the city of that same name):

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Above the front counter, displayed prominently on-center view, was a brand new set of Weiser's '72 Equinox. The price was neatly displayed ...

$200.

I have the Weiser 1974 set myself, with the 1974 Blue. The Weiser First was the 1972, then the 1974 came along and later a 1978. I have not seen this latter set, but believe it follows the other two and is just a third printing. The Blue Equinoxes were printed respectively with these sets and one also in-between in 1973 as demand arose. After that darkness was upon the face of the deep and there were no Equinoxes to be had for a great period. Secondhand prices sky-rocketed; photocopy machines ran dry of ink, Gems would go into mass-production. Today, apart from some handsomely rebound True First Editions, these early Weiser sets represent a fine investment. They are a good durable reading and working set. The First Edition in its original state is nothing short of a mere museum piece and cannot be handled without literally falling apart. The same stands true of the later editions which are weak spined, cut cornered and designed with disposability in mind while draining your pocket. In short, I’d say if you need a set of the Equinox, save your money and obtain the Weiser 1972-78 as it becomes available and your pocket begin to fill, you will not regret it. Below is the legendary “Red Equinox” which I have not held and thus unable to comment upon:

http://www.hermesantiquarian.h-e-r-m-e-s.org/Old_Catalogue_general_occult_2008.htm

I have a Weiser '92 set. No evidence of any 'corner cutting' or 'disposability'. Strong spined, good paper. Nice cloth boards too.

I've just put up a v. good set of The Equinox, Vol 1 (1993 500 Copy Limited Ed) + Blue Equinox

http://www.lashtal.com/forum/index.php/topic,5600.0.html

I have a 1 of 25 Blue Cloth of the Mandrake & Holmes Equinox Vol. III No. 1, that is otherwise identical the individual volumes in the above pictured "Red Set", and it is a beautifully and solidly constructed volume, as is the set. (I had an opportunity to pick this set up a couple years ago for $1000, and sadly had to pass.) Some people felt that the box this set came in could have been a bit more durable, but it's easily and certainly not as bad as the card-stock box that the Weiser 2-vol. Equinox came in.

I'm also after a complete set if anyone has one that they're considering selling???