Collectanea Hermetica.
York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1998. First thus, Deluxe limited edition. Hardcover. Large Octavo, xiv + 772 pp. Custom bound in full navy leather with gilt embellished spine, raised bands, gilt titled spine label, top edge gilt, marbled endpapers. Copy no. 3 of a limited edition of a stated 99 handbound copies signed and numbered by both the publisher and editor R. A. Gilbert on a limitation plate tipped onto the second blank. Though the edition is stated to be 99 copies, less than 45 copies were actually bound thus, because the publishing company changed hands while the edition was being produced. As a result it is very scarce thus. The Collectanea Hermetica was a series of hermetic tracts that were either edited by (or in some cases the work of) members of the Golden Dawn. It was first published in ten separate volumes between 1893-1896 by W. Wynn Wescott, the main editor and also author of a number fo the works, as well as being one of the founders of the Golden Dawn. Contents are: Vol. I: Hermetic Arcanum of Penes Nos Unda Tagi, with a preface and notes by Sapere Aude (William Wynn Westcott), Vol. II: The Pymander of Hermes, with a preface by the editor. Vol. III: A Short Enquiry Concerning the Hermetic Art by A Lover of Philalethes, Preface by Non Omnis Moriar (William Wynn Westcott), An Introduction to Alchemy and Notes by S.S.D.D. (Florence Farr), Vol. IV: Æsch Mezareph or Purifying Fire, A Chymico-Kabalistic Treatise Collected from the Kabala Denudata or Knorr Von Rosenroth. Translated by a Lover of Philalethes, 1714, Preface, notes and explanations by Sapere Aude (William Wynn Westcott). Vol. V: Somnium Scipionis, Translated into English with an Essay "The Vision of Scipio Considered as a Fragment of the Mysteries" by L.O. (Percy Bullock), The Golden Verses of Pythagoras, by A.E.A. (E W. Coleman), The Symbols of Pythagoras, by S.A. (William Wynn Westcott), Vol. VI: The Chaldæan Oracles of Zoroaster, edited and revised by Sapere Aude, with an introduction by L.O. Vol. VII: Euphrates or the Waters of the East by Eugenius Philalethes 1655, with a commentary by S.S.D.D. (Florence Farr), Vol. VIII: Egyptian Magic by S.S.D.D. (Florence Farr), Vol. IX: Numbers and their Occult Power and Mystic Virtues by Wm. Wynn Westcott, Vol. X: Sepher Yetzirah, the Book of Formation with the Fifty Gates of Intelligence and the Thirty-two Paths of Wisdom, translated from the Hebrew by Wm. Wynn Westcott. Light rubbing to boards with a few very faint scratches, otherwise Fine condition. A lovely edition. Item #63883
Sold