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. Hardcover. Quarto. xii + 288 + [iv] pp. Original magnificent quarter leather binding with papered boards with Egyptian motif by Sangorski & Sutcliffe. Gilt title and OTO lamen and cartouche stamped on spine. Tipped in color plates of tarot designs, b&w illustrations. Printed by the Chiswick Press on Arnold Unbleached paper. The First Edition of Crowley's masterwork on the tarot, with color and black and white reproductions of the card designs by Frieda Harris. Edition limited to 200 copies SIGNED and numbered by Crowley, this being copy No. 40, boldly signed by Crowley on the limitation page: "To Mega Therion [in Greek] 666 9 = 2 A.'. A.'." According to the "distribution list" on the endpaper of Crowley's own copy in the Yorke collection, this particular copy (no. 40) was purchased by a "Mrs. Dundas." She is confirmed as the purchaser in a list of "Reservations for Tarot" written by Crowley in his diary on December 31, 1944. Mrs. Dundas was clearly an enthusiast, as she paid the full price of ten guineas in advance, but sadly at this stage nothing else is known about her. A few light rubs and one small ink spot to the leather of the spine, but otherwise it is strong and clean with solid hinges. The corners of the boards are bumped and rubbed through at the points (as often), the soft Egyptian paper covering is somewhat rubbed and darkened, particularly towards the front edge. A very faint tea (?) stain, about the size of a thumb-print on the bottom edge of the first few leaves, one small tea drop on title-page, and a hint of yellowing here and there, but otherwise the text is tight and clean, free of any foxing or marks. A, solid, attractive VG + copy of a magnificent book. Item #53086
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