The Magus.
Boston: Little, Brown and Co, 1965. First Edition. Hardcover. Large octavo. x + 582pp. Light green cloth with gilt lettering to spine, blind stamped device to upper board. Stated First edition. This copy with a pre-printed "Inscribed by the Author" presentation label SIGNED & INSCRIBED by the author pasted onto the front free endpaper. The inscription reads "To Woody / Best Wishes / John Fowles / Lyme Regis / 17 July 1996." John Fowles' renowned post-modern novel, whose narrative revolves around a young Englishman who takes a job teaching on a small Greek island and becomes caught up in the psychological manipulations of a sinister, somewhat Gurdjieffian recluse named Maurice Conchis. The novel is not occult as such - although much of it could be taken as a parable for initiation - the opening quote is from Arthur Edward Waite, and Aleister Crowley is said to be name-checked in the work. Cloth rubbed and a bit faded at all edges and extremities, spine ends and corners bruised and a little chafed, pages darkened and thumbed at fore-edges, pages toned, unmarked. The signed label has been pasted over a previous owner's name, which shows through somewhat. Overall a tight, clean VG copy in near defective dust jacket ( Dust jacket a bit worn overall with rubbing, creasing & chipping at all edges, one large chip to upper front panel, inner flaps browned, not price clipped). Item #63637
Price: $150.00