The Equinox, Vol. I, Numbers I - X.
London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. / Aleister Crowley , Equinox Offices / Wieland & Co, 1909 - 1913. First Edition 'Edition de Luxe'. Hardcovers. 10 Volumes. First Edition - 'Edition de Luxe' - limited to 50 copies only, bound in original white buckram. A complete set of the ten numbers which make up the first series (or 'volume') of The Equinox, published biannually between 1909 & 1913. This set is the rare cloth bound 'Edition de Luxe', which was available only to subscribers, most of whom were members of Crowley's A.'. A.'.
This particular set formerly the property of Charles Stansfeld Jones (Frater Achad, 1886-1950). For a time Crowley regarded Jones as his "magical son", born of his sex magical workings with Jeanne Foster in 1915, and also identified him as the child prophesied in "The Book of the Law," and Jones was his chief disciple. Much of Achad's library - and his massive correspondence with Crowley - was dispersed by the now-defunct "Book Baron" bookstore in Anaheim, California in the late 1980s, and it was from there that the previous owner, Clive Harper, purchased the set.
The 'Edition de Luxe' was much more durable than the 'standard' series, which was bound in notoriously fragile cloth backed paper-covered boards. The 'Edition de Luxe' is also the true First Edition (first issue thus) of The Equinox series, as its numbers were distributed in advance of the 'Standard' volumes. The precedence of the 'Edition de Luxe' is is confirmed by the Editorial in Number III: that Number was the subject of a court action by S.L. MacGregor-Mathers who obtained an order restraining publication of the volume in anticipation of another legal action in which he hoped to prevent Crowley from publishing further Golden Dawn material. The bound advance copies (the 'Edition de Luxe' thus) had already been distributed when the order not to publish came through. When shortly afterwards Crowley had the order restraining publication dissolved by the Court of Appeal, he released the 'Standard' edition, though in the meantime he had rewritten the text of the Editorial, so that it included a paragraph explaining Mather's action and the consequent delay in the release of the issue. The original editorial leaf was removed from the 'Standards' and this new one tipped into its place, and thus the already-released 'Edition de Luxe' and the 'Standard' issues of the Number III contain slightly different editorials. There also appear to be numerous other small differences between the 'Edition de Luxe' and the 'Standard' issues: some numbers of the 'Edition de Luxe' have an additional colour frontispiece at the front of each volume (which repeats 'The Equinox' coat of arms design used on the top board of the 'Standard' issue), and, oddly, the famous portrait of Crowley entitled 'The Student' in Number IV is printed in purple in the 'Edition de Luxe' and in red in the 'Standard Edition.'
Crowley was of course the editor and principal author of most of the volumes of "The Equinox," which contained a variety of poetry, fiction, and reviews - generally with esoteric themes - alongside a number of articles of occult instruction. As mentioned above this set is the 'Edition de Luxe,' limited to 50 copies, bound in the original, gilt-stamped white buckram. Ten huge volumes - over 4400 pages - including numerous color and black and white illustrations, tables etc.
From the collection of Clive Harper: well-known as the bibliographer of Austin Osman Spare, for updating the Aleister Crowley bibliography in the 2011 Teitan Press collection of Gerald Yorke's writings, and as someone who has lent his expertise to numerous other publications.
As can be expected the boards are a little darkened, but the bindings solid and tight. There are a couple of small contemporary pencil annotations, and a hint of browning here and there, otherwise the set is clean, fresh and in VG+ condition. No dust jackets (none issued). A genuinely rare First Edition of one of the landmarks of occult literature. Item #64812
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