Shih Yi, A Critical and Mnemonic Paraphrase of the Yî King by Ko Yuen.
Oceanside, CA: H. Parsons Smith / Monthelema, 1971. First Edition. Hardcover. Small oblong octavo. (5 3/8 x 6 5/8 inch) xiv + 66pp. + iipp. advertisement for an "educational program" on the Yi King and a one page "Hexagram Selector." Binding is textured maroon faux leather, title gilt stamped on spine and "salamander" design gilt stamped on upper board. Brightly coloured patterned end papers with garland & bird design. Crowley's succinct interpretations of the hexagrams of the Yi King (I Ching) written in a way that was intended to help students memorize them. Introduction by Soror Grimaud, that is Helen Parsons Smith (1910 - 2003), ex-wife of Jack Parsons and widow of W. T. Smith, and long time member of Agape Lodge of the O.T.O. This is the first separate publication of the work, and was also the first publication to be issued by Thelema Publications (at that time called "Monthelema"), the company run by Helen Parsons-Smith. It is without doubt one of the scarcest of the posthumous first editions of Crowley's works. 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. Upper spine a little bruised, page edges darkened and pages lightly browned (as always) - otherwise a bright near Fine copy. (Issued without dust jacket). Item #65106
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