On a Gold Basis. A Treatise on Mysticism.
London: Philip Wellby, 1907. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. 349pp [ii adverts] Original gold cloth with gilt titling etc to spine, and upper board, top edge gilt. A study of mysticism and spiritual alchemy by Isabelle de Steiger (1836-1927), a writer and artist very well known in the occult circles of her time. She was active in Theosophy, one of the earliest members of the Isis-Urania Temple of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and also knew many of the occult luminaries of the time, from Mary Anne Atwood and Anna Kingsford, to A. E. Waite (of whom she was an enthusiastic supporter during the ructions of 1903). From the library of Gerald Yorke (1901-1983) with his posthumous bookplate loosely inserted. A great occult scholar and bibliophile, Yorke ("Frater Volo Intellegere") was for a short time Aleister Crowley's chief disciple. In later life Yorke played a crucial role in preserving Crowley's literary legacy as well as in the publication of works on the occult and Eastern religions, editing and commissioning works for a number of British publishers from the 1950s through 1970s This copy with a few of Yorke's pencil underlinings and notes to text. Cloth a bit rubbed and darkened overall, corners and spine end bruised and a little chafed with several small chips and tears at upper spine, bump to lower edge of upper board, page edges and endpapers darkened, pages toned. Still a tight, near VG copy (no dust jacket). Quite scarce. Item #58740
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