A collection of original typescript papers by Aleister Crowley outlining the history of his relationship with John Bland Jameson. Some pages with extensive manuscript insertions and corrections in Crowley's handwriting. About 54pp on 48 leaves.
NP, [1938]. An interesting, unbound collection of semi-autobiographical typed material, with manuscript insertions, obviously prepared by Crowley with an eye to taking legal action against John B. Jameson (b. 1915) who was a close associate of his during the years 1938-1939. At the time Jameson was a wealthy young man, a member of the Theatre Arts Club, who divided his time between partying, travelling, and his thespian activities. He also had an interest in the occult, and collected Crowley's books (a number of works from his library have previously been in stock with Weiser Antiquarian Books), who eventually contacted the Beast with the hope of receiving occult tuition. Crowley apparently persuaded Jameson to purchase a "founder's share" in his venture selling "Amrita", an ambrosia or "elixir of life" said to ensure longevity, restore youth and energy, and bestow various occult boons, which Crowley once described as "the principal Secret of the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O. )" and it was from Jameson's flat at 6 Hasker Street, SW1, that Crowley tried to launch the business. Crowley also took up temporary residence in the building, with Jameson his landlord.
For a time relations between the two were close, and Crowley suggested making Jameson an "heir" of sorts, and apparently even declared him "Acting Grand Treasurer General of the O.T.O.," although whether he ever did anything with respect to this office is unknown. The two eventually fell out, most likely over disagreements about their financial and Crowley's tenancy arrangements. Crowley later wrote bitterly in his diary: "John Jameson shows heroic rage / against sick men of thrice his age. Against sick women in his care. / Nothing John Jameson does not dare. Yet opposition soon dries up / The frenzy of the Pansy Pup."
The papers comprise:
(i) A typescript, possibly carbon, 'Memorandum' by Crowley, on the rectos only of 23 leaves of (8 x 10 inch) off-white typing paper. The "Memorandum" outlines the history of Crowley's acquaintance with John B. Jameson during the period May 12, 1938 - November 4, 1938. The information in the 'Memorandum' was obviously reconstructed by Crowley from his diaries, letters, and memories, and seeks to document, on a day-by-day basis, all his dealings with Jameson in that period, and any arrangements or agreements that were made between them. Whilst the "Memorandum" is decidely "legal" in tone and construction, it contains much vintage Crowley: he writes in obvious dismay of his discovery that Jameson "was completely ignorant of art," and snobbishly described one of Jameson's parties: "There was a considerable crowd of tenth-rate theatrical and screen people; nobody present was of any social or other importance. I was considerably surprised and a little disgusted." The "Memorandum" also reveals the basis for Crowley's poetic charge that Jameson "raged" against "sick women in his care." There is much other delightful and interesting biographical material throughout.
(ii) A collection of typescript copies and drafts of 8 letters between Crowley and Jameson. 30 pages on 25 leaves (8 x 10 inch) off-white typing paper. Of particular note is what appears to be the original draft of a lengthy (ten-page) letter from Crowley to Jameson, with numerous manuscript corrections and additions in Crowley's handwriting. It is a broad ranging letter, in which Crowley berates Jameson for his lack of work, and in particular for giving "a very mechanical reading of the Hymn to Pan" on Crowley's birthday! Much of the letter is devoted to a discussion of Crowley's business prospects, and he mentions the O.T.O. and Amrita, but the main focus is on his plans to take over (or as he perhaps saw it, reclaim) AMORC: "Louis Wilkinson and Frieda Harris are quite agreeable to come out to the States with me in August, where we have Mencken and Elmer Gertz, and a number of other quite important people waiting to push us along. We shall probably need an energetic business woman, of mature age and repulsive appearance, with utterly loathsome manners suited to the American public, to complete the party." Also of considerable interest is the carbon copy of a short letter, dated February 7th, 1939, in which Crowley apparently refuses to accept Jameson's resignation from the position of Acting Grand Treasurer General of the O.T.O. - citing a technical fault in the manner of address, and his failure to present the accounts.
Previously in the papers of solicitor Isidore Kerman (1905-1998), of the law firm Forsyte, Kerman & Phillips, who represented Crowley in the ill-fated "Laughing Torso" case against Constable, as well as consulting him on various matters relating to the Thoth tarot, the prepartation of his will, etc.
Some creasing to the upper right corner of the first few leaves of the 'Memorandum', usual light age discoloration, and a few dog-ears. Still VG+. Item #32627
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