Progradior and the Beast: Frank Bennett and Aleister Crowley, AND The Magical Record of Frater Progradior & other Writings; (Two Volumes in Slipcase)
London: Neptune Press, 2004. Limited edition. Hardcovers. Octavos. Two volumes in slipcase. 316pp & 176pp. Blue cloth with gilt titling to spines. Limited to 50 numbered sets contained in slipcase. Each set includes a tipped-in colour print of a portrait of Frank Bennett by his grand-daughter, the artist Francesca Schmitt-Charteris not present in the standard edition, and is signed by the artist and the author / editor Keith Richmond. Black and white frontis-portraits and illustrations. Fine condition in Fine slipcase. "Progradior and the Beast" recounts the story of Lancashire-born Frank Bennett (1868-1930), one of Aleister Crowley's more successful, if little-known followers. Whilst still a youth Bennett embarked on a spiritual odyssey which eventually led him to the study of ceremonial magic, and into contact with Crowley. Bennett, also known by his magical name, Frater Progradior, migrated to Australia in 1911 where he founded A .'. A.'. and O.T.O. groups, and sought to promote Crowley's law of Thelema. In 1921 Bennett traveled to Crowley's Abbey of Thelema at Cefalu, where he rapidly became one of the Beast's star pupils. "Progradior and the Beast" is largely drawn from previously unpublished sources - letters, journals, and other documents - and provides rare insight into the private and public worlds of these two twentieth century magicians. "The Magical Record" contains the text of Frank Bennett's Cefalu diary, with Aleister Crowley's added comments, along with several other writings by Bennett and the text of Crowley's "Liber Samekh", a ritual he prepared especially for Bennett's use during his Magical Retirement. Both volumes are illustrated with a number of previously unseen pictures of Crowley and Bennett, and the slipcases & endpapers include striking colour reproductions of three paintings by Crowley: one a portrait of Frank Bennett, and the other two Cefalu landscapes. A little light rubbing to cloth covers, else a tight, clean near Fine set in near Fine custom slipcase. Item #63593
ISBN: 9780954706340
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