The Scented Garden of Abdullah the Satirist of Shiraz.
NP ( East Morton, England ): ( Morton Press ), ND ( ca. 1980 ). Facsimile edition. Hardcover. Octavo. (v) (3)-(138)pp. Plain buff paper wrappers with handwritten title and author neatly lettered down spine. Printed on 110 gm beige card stock. "The Scented Garden" is one of Crowley's scarcest works - part homo-erotic parody, part mystical text - its initial printing was small and many copies were apparently destroyed on grounds of obscenity. Although completely anonymous we believe this to be a proof copy, or early wrappered issue of the Morton Press edition, which is believed to be the first ever republication of the work. This edition is a facsimile of Crowley's own copy, which is in the Yorke collection, and it reproduces his original ownership inscription on the second blank. As a consequence the occasional idiot has bothered us over the years convinced that he (always a he) has Crowley's own copy, and has got quite hostile when told otherwise. According to the publishers only a "very small" number of the Morton Press edition were produced, in several different bindings. It is now quite scarce, not least because it was "perfect bound" and the book tended to fall apart. The few copies encountered are typically in red boards, sometimes black, this is the first time that we have encountered a copy in wrappers. 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. London bookseller's label on inside front cover. Wrappers a little darkened and rubbed at edges, but still a near-fine copy of a very fragile and uncommon work. Item #65790
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