Item #63292 Book 4, Part I & Book 4, Part II [ Book Four Parts 1 and 2 ]; (2 Volumes). Aleister CROWLEY, Mary D'ESTE STURGES, Frater Perdurabo, Soror Virakam.
Book 4, Part I & Book 4, Part II [ Book Four Parts 1 and 2 ]; (2 Volumes)
Book 4, Part I & Book 4, Part II [ Book Four Parts 1 and 2 ]; (2 Volumes)

Book 4, Part I & Book 4, Part II [ Book Four Parts 1 and 2 ]; (2 Volumes)

London: Wieland, ND (1912 & 1913). First edition(s). Hardcovers. 2 Volumes. Both small square octavos (Approx. 5 3/8 inches x 5 3/8 inches). Vol. I: x + 94pp (+2pp. adverts), 2 photographic illustrations, & Vol II: viii + 186pp, b&w illustrations, errata slip tipped in facing title page. Vol. I: original printed cloth over flexible card boards, plain black cloth backstrip; Vol. II) original printed paper over flexible card boards, black cloth spines with paper title-label on spine (none issued on Volume I) Volume I is the second issue of the First Edition, with the publisher's address given as "33 Avenue Studios, South Kensington." Volume II is the first (and only) issue of the First Edition. The first two Volumes, complete in themselves, on mysticism and 'magick' respectively - of Crowley's magnum opus, Book 4 (all issued thus). The third vol. (on the Book of the Law) did not appear as such during Crowley's lifetime, the fourth Vol. (also called Magick in Theory and Practice) came out in different format in 1929. These volumes in their original distinctive 'flashing bindings.' An unusual example of the book as talismanic object, with the design by Crowley reflecting the (itself symbolic) number 4 (a theme carried through from the square shape; 4 equal sides; to the original prices, 4 groats and 4 tanners respectively). As far as is known, only 500 copies of Part II were printed. Vol. I: covers a little darkened, as are the page edges, otherwise a VG + copy. Vol. II: An unusually good copy of this scarce and fragile volume. The paper covered boards are rubbed and a little rounded at the corners, and there are some light creases running down them (this is typical of Vol. II which had plain paper over flexible boards, whereas Vol. I had a more resilient treated paper). Unusually the paper spine label is intact save for a tiny bit of chipping at the edges. Contemporary owner's name on first blank, page edges darkened and a little foxed. Internally the volume is clean and tight with just the merest hint of pale foxing to the preliminaries. A better than VG solid set, and scarce thus (neither volume issued with dust jacket). Item #63292

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