Item #65097 The Magical Record of the Beast 666. The Diaries of Aleister Crowley 1914-1920. Aleister CROWLEY, John Symonds, SIGNED Kenneth Grant.
The Magical Record of the Beast 666. The Diaries of Aleister Crowley 1914-1920.

The Magical Record of the Beast 666. The Diaries of Aleister Crowley 1914-1920.

London: Duckworth, 1972. First Edition - Limited. Hardcover. Large octavo in matching slipcase. [iv] xvi + 326pp. Original bright green cloth with gilt title label, in publisher's slipcase, marbled endpapers, page edges tinted green, b&w facsimile plates. Copy number 200 of a deluxe edition limited to 250 numbered copies, SIGNED by the editors John Symonds and Kenneth Grant. Interestingly Grant has signed with "Xo O.T.O." and his characteristic inverted pyramid of fire dots next to his name. The deluxe edition of this significant first publication of collection of Crowley's diaries, which cover virtually the whole of his American sojourn, from shortly after his arrival in 1914 to his departure in 1919, his subsequent travels, and early days at Cefalu in 1920. They record not only day to day events, but his magical workings, experiments with sex magick and drugs (hence he termed them his "Magical Record"). This deluxe edition includes three pages of photographic facsimiles of Crowley's original diaries which were not included in the regular or trade edition. From the collection of Clive Harper with his discrete book-label neatly tipped in at the rear. Harper is 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. The label can easily be removed without affecting the page, although it would be a shame not to preserve this record of the book's provenance. Very light rubbing to rear board, else appears "as new"- thus near Fine condition in VG+ slipcase.(Slipcase lightly rubbed, light chafing to front corners.). Item #65097

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