A duplicated document "An Open Letter to Aleister Crowley" - written under the pseudonym O. H. Masters but actually by Crowley himself.
London: NP, 1942. First Edition. Text reproduced from a typescript, printed on the recto only of a single sheet of buff 8" x 10" typing paper. The "Open Letter" is dated August 19th 1942, and must surely rate as one of Crowley's more bizarre publicity attempts. There is no doubt that Crowley himself wrote the "Open Letter", although it bears the printed signature "O. H. Masters" and was ostensibly directed at the Beast himself. The letter focusses on an exhibition of the original Thoth tarot designs which Frieda Harris held at the Royal Society of Painters in Watercolours. At the time Harris' relationship with Crowley was as tempestuous as ever, and she not only exhibited the cards without any acknowledgement of his involvement (presumably to avoid any scandal that association with his name might have brought), but failed to even let him know that it was on (probably so that he wouldn't interfere - and possibly also simply to annoy him!). The "Open Letter" plays on this and basically suggests that Crowley's anonymity was a deliberate ploy on HIS part (which it wasn't - he was furious when he found out) as it asserts that "you could never have got your Tarot shewn without a stooge." It addresses him in the most unctuous tones "Everyone knows that the Tarot has been your special playground for over 40 years; anyhow, you have signed this pack, the Image of your Personal Idea of the Cosmos, in dozens of secret way" (and so on). The printed "signature" at the bottom of the letter "O. H. Masters" - is obviously intended to suggest that it came from the "Order of the Hidden Masters," an occult group headed by Jean Michaud, with whom Crowley enjoyed a friendly rivalry. Presumably the actual point of the "letter" was to publicise his role in the tarot, and also to get back at Harris for keeping his part in the creation of the artworks silent. Crowley also circulated a reply (not included) in which he set forth a convoluted argument that Harris hid his involvement as she knew that he would not have allowed her to proceed if his association with her was made public thereby attracting the attentions of his detractors to her. The phrase "storm in a teacup" springs to mind, but the letter does illustrate the sometimes delusional behaviour of the Beast, and the eccentricity of his relationship with Harris. A single crease across the middle from having been folded, otherwise in VG + condition. Item #58207
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