London: W. Collins, 1922. First Edition - First Impression. Hardcover. [iv] + 368pp. Octavo. Original dark blue cloth lettered in red. The first impression of the first edition of one of Crowley's most famous books, and a landmark work in the annals of drug literature. The novel focuses on the destructive effects of heroin and cocaine addiction, and posits the practice of magick and the discovery of one's true will as a curative. One of the characters - King Lamus - is clearly a romantic self-portrait by Crowley, and Lamus's "Abbey of Thelema" at Telepylus an idealised version of Crowley's own Abbey at Cefalu. From the collection of Clive Harper with his discreet 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. Given its notoriety, and popularity, copies of the work are almost always encountered in "well-read" condition as is this one.
Cloth a bit rubbed and faded overall, more so at spine, page edges darkened, endpapers unevenly browned, half title page partially detached, scattered foxing throughout, heavier at first and last leaves, pages toned, no marks. Overall a tight, unmarked Good+ copy in a FACSIMILE of the rare dust jacket. Item #65722

Price: $725.00