The Star In the West. A Critical Essay Upon The Works of Aleister Crowley.
London: The Walter Scott Publishing Co, 1907. Second Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. (x) + 328pp. (+ 4 pp catalogue of 'Mr. Crowley's Books....' ) Original red buckram, elaborate seal and title on top board, and title, occult symbols etc. on spine heavily stamped in white. Frontispiece with tissue guard, title page printed in red and black. Curiously the frontispiece to this volume is printed in red, whereas those in copies of the same edition that we have had in the past have been printed in black. From the library of Wilfred Talbot Smith with the inscription “Voluntas Perfecta Omnia Vincit” ("Perfect Will conquers All" - W. T. Smith’s Neophyte motto) and his SIGNATURE on the front free endpaper (see further below). Fuller, who went on to become one of Crowley's leading disciples, originally wrote this essay as an entry in a competition Crowley held for the best essay on his own literary work. Fuller's essay won (it is rumoured to have been the only entry) contrary to popular opinion - he actually received the hundred pound prize that Crowley had offered. With Crowley's assistance Fuller rewrote the essay, and Crowley published it. It seems that Crowley - who had not yet gone through his family fortune at that stage - issued a number of different 'editions' virtually simultaneously, with the intention of giving the impression that the book was a good seller! This copy has 'second edition' printed on the verso of the half-title page: there was also a signed limited edition of 100 copies, and several more cheaply produced 'reprints.' There is a Walter Scott Publishing Co "With the Publisher's Compliments" slip loosely inserted. Wilfred Talbot Smith (1885-1957), was founder of "The Church of Thelema," head of Agape Lodge of the O.T.O. in California, a long term associate of Aleister Crowley, and more recently the subject of Martin Starr's biography "The Unknown God." After Smith's death the book passed into the hands of his former wife, Helen Parsons Smith (1910 - 2003), ex-wife of Jack Parsons, long time member of Agape Lodge of the OTO, and founder of Thelema Publications from whose collection we acquired it. Spine quite faded as typical with this volume. Corners and spine ends bumped and a little frayed. Three inch closed split in cloth of lower rear hinge (either the split is only to the surface of the cloth, or it has been neatly reinforced from behind, as there is no open tear and the board is perfectly firm). Small chip from inner margin of title-page, a little light foxing and some half-a-dozen leaves have ink spots, only one of which affects the text. An unusual edition with a fascinating provenance. Item #63224
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